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Drill press, China or Taiwan made?

john11139

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Joined
Oct 23, 2012
Messages
121
Location
Ohio
I am looking at a couple of 20" drill presses on CL. One is made in China and one made in Tiwan. Which is better made? Seems like tools were imported from Tiwan for awhile and seemed to be a little better made than the ones in China. I have a budget of about $350 for a used one. I have looked for over a year and even on E-bay nothing showes up in this price range, used, made in USA. I have a 15" sold by Farm & Fleet before they went out of busines (made in China) and it feels like it is flexing when drilling heavy metal.
 
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MP&C

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Oct 21, 2009
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Location
Leonardtown, MD
Re: Drill press, China or Tiwan made?

I'd keep looking. This US made Rockwell-Delta radial arm drill press cost me $116 plus a single phase motor. It's amazing how 3 phase scares people away.. It has a 20 x 30 T slot table...


PIC531.png
 

Davefr

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Jan 7, 2010
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Location
OR
Re: Drill press, China or Tiwan made?

Taiwan produced some excellent machinery including drill presses. I'd take a quality Taiwan brand (ex: Jet) over most of these ancient USA "boat anchors" because of features like rack and pinion table elevation & tilt, wide range of speeds, accuracy and parts availability.

When it comes to DP's condition is extremely important. Look them over very closely!!
 

Norcal

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Mar 16, 2008
Messages
13,769
Re: Drill press, China or Tiwan made?

I'd keep looking. This US made Rockwell-Delta radial arm drill press cost me $116 plus a single phase motor. It's amazing how 3 phase scares people away.. It has a 20 x 30 T slot table...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/rmccartney/McCartney%20Paint%20and%20Custom-Shop%20Eqpt/PIC531.png[ IMG][/QUOTE]

Good find! Those radial arm drill presses are great tools & and already have been around longer then imports ever will.

Only given a choice between ChiCom or Taiwanese DP's, I'll chose Taiwan.
 

justanengineer

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Joined
Apr 5, 2011
Messages
7,722
Location
Motor City
Re: Drill press, China or Tiwan made?

Neither, both are a toss up regarding quality. With a max of $350 in Ohio, you should be swimming in them. I see them constantly within 100 miles from WT, Delta, Powermatic etc. Try placing an ad on craigs.
 

the gypsy

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Mar 13, 2013
Messages
1,780
Location
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Re: Drill press, China or Tiwan made?

I'd keep looking. This US made Rockwell-Delta radial arm drill press cost me $116 plus a single phase motor. It's amazing how 3 phase scares people away.. It has a 20 x 30 T slot table...


PIC531.png

LOVE your radial drill press, how much did it cost in total.
 

Angelfire

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Mar 22, 2012
Messages
1,367
Location
New Mexico and Ireland
I've seen plenty of **** from both Taiwan and China (USA as well). It really doesn't matter where it's made but what level of quality control, specs, etc. the manufacturer is using. Buy a reputable brand and ask a lot of questions before ordering.
 
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john11139

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Oct 23, 2012
Messages
121
Location
Ohio
Re: Drill press, China or Tiwan made?

If I could find a 3 phase for thar amount, I would get it. I have watched for over a year and checked every thing within 150 miles and seen only 2 20" for sale. I have a old drill press made in Belgum and built like a tank, weighs about 700 lbs. The motor (3/4 hp) went bad and a new motor from Granger that size is over $225. I have tried to find a 3/4 hp capacator start motor on CL for some time and cant find one that heavy. My thought was to purchase one of the 20" I found and just take the motor off it and if needed could put it back on and use it..
 

groundcoat

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Joined
Jun 29, 2011
Messages
23
Location
Manchester, NH
I have spent a lot of time in Asia for business purposes over the last several years and my work takes me deep into the heart of the manufacturing regions of these two countries. I other words, I spend a lot of time in Asian factories. One must first understand that business and manufacturing is conducted quite differently than in western countries. That being said, based on what I have learned, I would ALWAYS choose Taiwan over China for manufacturing. In general, Taiwan's factories are more modern and the workforce is MUCH better trained. The Chinese government props up their businesses financially and that takes away most incentive to improve. You don't have much of that in Taiwan.
 

kbs2244

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Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
14,065
Do not be afraid to buy a piece of junk with a running motor for a swap.

I learned this lesson at a farm equipment auction.
One of the first items was a grain auger with a big dent in the pipe.
It scared everybody away.

The guy that won it came with a wheel borrow, took of the 5HP electric motor, then came back to the auctioneer and said he could sell it again if he wanted.
 

AMCguy

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Joined
Dec 23, 2009
Messages
2,022
Location
Sunshine Coast, BC Canada
I know this is a little off topic but...I have a decent made in Taiwan drill press sold by General International. It came with a Golden Goose chuck. It is the smoothest operating chuck I've ever come across.
 

kapster

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Joined
Dec 14, 2011
Messages
517
Location
Wooster, Ohio
I've been looking at cheap bandsaws, the 4x6 seems like it used to be made in Taiwan and now its china. One guy on a forum commented that Taiwan used to make **** like what china makes now. I've heard it said that current Taiwan can make good stuff, but china is almost always ****. So the Taiwan press could be older before china made them, but if they're both newer I'd say the Taiwan.
 
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john11139

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Joined
Oct 23, 2012
Messages
121
Location
Ohio
In the 70's I purchased a metal cutting band saw from Grangers. It was a decent band saw and I used it for years with no problems. It was made in Taiwan. In the 90's I started seeing what appeared to be almost the same band saw being sold by HF, Northern tool, Gragers etc. I know several people who bought one and they were junk. Blade wouldnt stay on and they were using a plastic handle on the "tighting handls" and they would brake and bushings in pullys were sloopy. A few years ago one of those traviling trucks with the engine hoists and bands saws that goes around to the garages. I bought one of those. I think it is called a "Carolina". It has been a good saw. Much larger than the Taiwan saw I had. I sold the Taiwan saw and now regret it as it was a smaller saw and was handier for cutting small stuff, and now all I can find are the China ones. Now back to the drill press. If any one in Ohio runs on to something that looks intersting, contact me. Remember it has to be heavy duty and turn at a slow speed as I use it sometimes to drill heavy brackets when mounting dump truck beds or making hitches.
 
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NUTTSGT

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Sep 14, 2009
Messages
51,140
Location
Northern Central Ohio
My neighbor has a Cummins made in Taiwan, he bought in back in '80. I was just talking to him about it last week, it has been a good DP for him.
 

moonpool145

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Joined
Jul 2, 2009
Messages
673
Location
South Florida
I bought a large amount of Yama-Seiki CNC stuff this last year which is made in Taiwan. Absolutely top notch machinery at a great price. Honestly I think Taiwan makes some of the best machine tools you can get. That said, location of manufacture is no guarrantee of quality. For a cheap drill press I agree that old American iron and some elbow grease is a tough combination to beat if the machine is not totaly worn out to start with.
 

Voi

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Oct 10, 2010
Messages
5,151
Location
Western South Dakota
I'm in Cleveland this week & have been watchin their CL. There have been a few good drill presses the last few days. I'm posting from my phone so I'd rather not post links. If it's a reasonable drive you should take a look.
 
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