Driil Press Which to buy

[RedRacer74]

Next purchase for the shop is a floor stand drill press. Just started looking at them. Sears has a few models available and the advantage is no shipping. Any idea's out there ??? I have years ago made the long haul to the Grizzly warehouse to pick up a drill press for a friend. Wasn't really worth it. so here's the options........... I am leaning towards the 20" 1 Hp. model.
Craftsman 15 in. Drill Press
Sears item #00922900000 Mfr. model #OR20451
$287.99
Drill Type Drill
Spindle Speed 12
Table Material Cast iron
Chuck: Capacity 5/8 in.
Type Keyless
Motor-Engine: Horsepower 1/2 hp
Speed Range RPM 300-3100 rpm
Controls, Overall: On/Off Type Removable toggle switch
Convenience: Tasklight Yes
Handles: Main Type Quilled
Craftsman Professional 15 in. Drill Press with Variable Speed Control
Sears item #00922935000 Mfr. model #22935
$1187.49
Drill Press Type Stationary Drill Press
Portability Stationary
Power Option Powered
Item Weight 440.0 lbs.
General Features:
Drill Type Drill
Spindle Speed Variable
Table Dimensions 16 x 13 in.
Table Material Cast iron
Table Movement Rack and pinion
Chuck:
Capacity 5/8 in.
Type Keyed
Cutting Tool:
Depth Of Throat 7-1/2 in.
Drill Press:
Drill Press Overall Height 70 in.
Motor-Engine:
Horsepower 1 hp
Horsepower, Maximum Developed 2 hp
Type Electric
Speed Capability Variable
Speed Range RPM 300 - 3300 rpm
Convenience:
Onboard Key Storage No
Color:
Overall Color Black
Cord:
Cord Option Corded

Craftsman 17 in. Drill Press
Sears item #00922901000 Mfr. model #OR20501
$429.99
Drill Press Type Stationary Drill Press
General Features:
Drill Type Drill
Spindle Speed 16
Table Material Cast iron
Chuck:
Capacity 5/8 in.
Type Keyless
Motor-Engine:
Horsepower 3/4 hp
Speed Range RPM 215 - 2720 rpm
Voltage 115/230 volts
Controls, Overall:
On/Off Type Push button
Convenience:
Tasklight Yes
Handles:
Main Type Quilled
Installation Requirements:
Setup Assembly required


Craftsman 20 in. Drill Press
Sears item #00922902000 Mfr. model #OR20601
$539.99
Product Overview:
Drill Press Type Stationary Drill Press
General Features:
Spindle Speed 9
Table Material Cast iron
Chuck:
Capacity 3/4 in.
Type Keyed
Motor-Engine:
Horsepower 1 hp
Speed Range RPM 150 - 2200 rpm
Controls, Overall:
On/Off Type Push button
Convenience:
Tasklight Yes
Handles:
Main Type Quilled
Installation Requirements:
Setup Assembly required

 

[bmwpower]

I'm showing the 20" is not available for delivery. It's also out of stock.

 

[demonspeed]

Ive got a grizzly 15" model. Its pretty nice although I haven't used it that much. When I was looking at which one to buy, I didnt think craftsman had much selection which is what made me decide to get a grizzly.

 

[Fast Orange]

I've got a 17" craftsman that has 2 problems-
1) quill handle threads stripped after first year-wound up heli-coiling them.

2) I jammed it when using a large holesaw on 1/4" steel plate-now has a lot of runout at chuck.I haven't gotten into repairing it yet.

I'm going to start lokking for it's replacement-maybe an old Walker-Turner or Delta.I'd rather buy a good old unit and fix it up than most of the new junk thats not any good from the start.

George

 

[Paradise Ridge]

Red,

I do mainly woodworking, but I bought this Delta drill press and bore holes in everything from paper to my finger (grin!) Digital readouts and other such goodies are fine, but I see them as one more thing to go wrong. Also, in woodworking, the spindle speed isn't as important.

You can get to an Amazon link at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002266L/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Or my favorite at Northwest Power Tools at http://www.northwestpowertools.com/drillpress/17965.htm . Free freight at both, and you can hand unload it to save drop gate charges.

My nickels worth,

Scott

P.S. Remember the golden drill press rule. The faster you turn, the more you will burn.

 

[krooser]

here's mine...300 lbs of good old AMERICAN steel...for $93.00...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7567732759&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

 

[krooser]

here's mine...300 lbs of good old AMERICAN steel...for $93.00...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7567732759&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

Here's the pic again...

 

[Uncle Buck]

Krooser: What a find man, that's the way I like mine. Old, grey, USA made and as yours is, a steal of a deal!

 

[krooser]

Krooser: What a find man, that's the way I like mine. Old, grey, USA made and as yours is, a steal of a deal!

I DO have to pick it up in Ohio buit even if I had to make a special trip of, say, 300 miles or so it would still be cheap.

Now I have to make a decision...since I now have two pieces with 3 phase motors, do I buy/build a phase convertor or simply change motors?

I have one single phase motor for a replacement right now so it's a toss-up.

 

[Uncle Buck]

If you are up to the initial cost of the phase converter I would go that route for three reasons, better delivery (more consistent) to the tool with three phase, lower energy costs to operate, and most importantly, you can now purchase tools that many others will pass on (no 3 phase) like your drill press for lower $ due to less competition in bidding. I know there are more benefits than what I have listed, those were the first that came to mind.

 

[krooser]

What about the cost of running the motor used as the third leg of the 3 phase? Does it cost anything?

 

[Uncle Buck]

I cannot say, cause to be honest I cannot hang my hat on my skills as an electician. All I know are the positive aspects that I have heard from more knowledgable guys in industry through the years. I do know that lower operating costs, a more consistent power flow to tools (no peaks and valleys) and I think three phase may be easier on equipment? ( I do not know for sure on the last one) are some of the reasons industry uses three phase. Plus I do believe alot of machine tools in the secondary market get passed on for consideration by many home shop guys due to the three phase thing as stated earlier. If I had two tools operating on three phase and could swing it financially I would convert over for them. To my knowledge you can do phase conversion for individual machines and leave the balance of your equipment as single phase. Perhaps someone that knows more about the technical end than myself will weigh in on this thread. Anyway, good luck, whichever way you go. My two bits.

 

[MXtras]

One option would be to use a Variable Frequency Drive. They go for about $200 and they will allow you to run a 3 phase motor from single phase power. It also allows for variable speed, although the torque is limited at slow speeds. They are small, quiet and simple. You can get them from places like: drives warehouse dot com - the cheapest place I found.

I did this to my Bridgeport prior to getting my shop and am still running it on the VFD even though I now have 3 phase. I try to run the VFD at the higher settings to maintain torque. I have a step pulley machine so I use it to fine tune the spindle speed.

Go to CNCZONE dot COM and search - there are a gazillion threads about this and phase converters - rotary and static. There is also a pile of info about building your own RPC.

Sorry for the hijack! I too am looking for a good drill press. Sorry to have nothing to really contribute other than I have been pretty happy with my little POS Craftsman bench top drill press - typical quality and performance from a lower priced, economy model. Nothing fantastic but nothing disgusting, either.

Scott

 

[MXtras]

Oh - the statement that 3 phase is cheaper is a myth. The motor requires a certain wattage to produce rated power and the power companies charge by watts (KWH). Three phase stuff draws less amps, but you have more legs so the wattage is the same. Three phase motors are more efficient than single, but the efficiency savings is pretty much negated by the rate structure of the POCO unless you are a huge power user. Hopefully TOMWELDS will chime in (if this hijack is acceptable.....).

Once again - sorry fo the hijack. Just following the discussion....

Scott

 

[Uncle Buck]

No offense taken, that is what I was lookin for, anyones opinion on the subject.

 

[MXtras]

TOMWELDS is MIA lately on this and other forums (I haven't seen him anyway) - he may be able to clear things up completely. I just dabble - I don't work with electricity everyday - he does.

I can say that I own a single phase MIG welder nearly idetical to one at work which is run off three phase and the three phase machine at work seems to have a much more stable arc - I firmly believe it's because of the three phase input.

Another partial hijack.....sorry.

Scott

 

[krooser]

Here's another great ebay drill press...going....going....http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7573494496&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1
I may buy it since it's only about 50 miles from my other one I bought!!!

 

[Uncle Buck]

MXtras: You are indeed correct, I know that for a fact, with three phase you get much greater stability in the delivery of current.

 

[Cannoli]

I had to purchase a drill press that I was going to use as well as my wife. To ease speed changes, I opted for a variable speed drill press. Sure, I could have easily managed the belt changes, but knowing my wife, she'd get frustrated doing that. Hey, an excuse to get a variable speed whatever - I'm all over that!

I (we) decided on the Delta X5-series 16-1/2" Variable Drill Press.

http://www.deltamachinery.com/index.asp?e=136&p=4749

I am extremely happy with the drill press.

My garage is small (20' x 20') so I elected to have the drill press mounted to a mobile base that I sourced at Northern Tool - works great!

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...?storeId=6970&productId=200227174&R=200227174

All toll, I spent just under $1000.00 for the drill press and base. Sure it is pricey, but I'm sure you've heard, "you get what you pay for".

Good luck on your selection.

Norman