Craftsman Commercial Drill Press

[bigderrickk]

Looking at a older, slightly used Craftsman Commercial Drill Press, 1/2hp. Does anyone have any experience or thoughts of advice on this particular era model??

 

[Mickey O]

Well with all the information you supplied I'd say get it.

Older? 2 years? 5 years? 20 years?

What are you using it for? Steel? Wood? What's the price? What's the condition? USA made? Or import ****?

Depending on the age parts aren't easy to come by if it needs work.

I have a 70's USA made Craftsman Commercial drill press that uses the thin belt, will go down to 300 RPM's and has two tables (attached, might be a prototype I got it from a Sears executive). It's a good drill press but not as cool as a 50's presses but the old ones don't go down to 300 without the speed accessory. I got mine exceptionally cheap so I'll use it until I find the older specific Craftsman model I want. So I'd give it a thumbs up unless it's a newer import one.

 

[bigderrickk]

Thanks Mickey. I plan to drill both wood and steel. I really dont know much about drill press's. Actually I missed the opportunity today to buy it. But Im still looking. I do lots of wood working and like working with structural steel fabrication and welding. I see imports all over the place and not really afraid to spend a bit for a decent press but it seems like theres 1/2-1hp used older machines for the same price. Both my Craftsman table saw and radial arm saws are older and rock solid. I cant imagine the older press would be any different. Thanks again.