Drill Press: Comparo/Thoughts

[bushpilot]

The Craftsmans nice, has good spindle depth (4 7/8) but the price is
steep (549 on sale) - reasonable rpm range @ 215 -3000, 14 x 14 table/deck
- i dont like the "key-less" chuck (my experience is theyre never as good
as the old fashion KEY version).

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00922901000P

I like the JET brand (who knows these days) - its got a good spindle
depth (4 3/8) - its not cheap either though - good RPM range 200 - 3630,
nice 13.75 x 13.75 work table

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200450949_200450949

the northern tool is ATTRACTIVELY price @ 299 - has the least spindle
travel (3 11/64) has the "worst" rpm range 250 - 3100 and the smallest
work table size (10 x 10).

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200365430_200365430

I just wonder...do i need the larger tables or depth of the JET or Craftsman ?

 

[premierplayer]

Craigslist
be persistant

 

[Packard V8]

X2 - don't go Chiwanese. Take your time and watch craigslist. The good stuff is out there.

jack vines

 

[bushpilot]

so far no one has answered my question - anyone have any experience w/ CURRENT day
JET or CRAFTSMAN...or NORTHERN for that matter ?

are the spindle travel/depth that important ?
table size ?

 

[mrholeshot]

I have the 17 inch Craftsman and it's OK for limited use. I had it in my shop for several years without problem and back home for several more. There were no nice drill presses to be found in my price range and even put a WTB on CL. I have a small drill press vice that bolts to mine. I only use mine about one time a week so I;m sure it will last a lifetime

 

[rsanter]

sorry, not the current day stuff

I have a jet that is about 15 or so years old and is a really nice machine
if that refrence helps then great

the current Cman seems decent but who knows. sure are expensive
at the $500 mark I think I might be looking for a semi-worn out mill (will still be a good drill press) or a benchtop mill...or see a machine dealer for a used older good sized machine......something like that

bigger table...hell yea thats nice but you can also add to it with a steel plate or a plywood topper

the added depth. to be the added depth is worth it but thats for me and what I do.

if you were in CA I would recomend the spare 22'' drill press I have for $300

bob

 

[bushpilot]

kinda goofy that the craftsman only has a single "handle" and im not real crazy over
the screwdriver handles on the northern tool unit...petty stuff im sure.

i can always change the handles (probably not easy to add an additional one),
and i figure i can make the table larger...but i cant necessarily make the depth longer
on a drill press than has a short throw/depth.

 

[Homoudont]

I have that same craftsman drill press. I bought it several years ago and it's still sits in its box. I've been trying to move it for $375 on craigslist and have had no takers. I could probably drop the price a little but I've been in no hurry to move it since it's still in its box and doesn't take up much space.

But in general the design of a drill press hasn't changed since its inception. So a well maintained 30 year old drill press will preform about the same as a new drill press.

 

[bushpilot]

I have that same craftsman drill press. I bought it several years ago and it's still sits in its box. I've been trying to move it for $375 on craigslist and have had no takers. I could probably drop the price a little but I've been in no hurry to move it since it's still in its box and doesn't take up much space.

But in general the design of a drill press hasn't changed since its inception. So a well maintained 30 year old drill press will preform about the same as a new drill press.

hummm...whats the 1/2 way point between BR & houston ? Lake Charles ?
PM me on what you'd consider price wise.

 

[tube_guy]

I think spindle travel is one of the most important considerations when buying a drill press. Setting a workpiece up on a drill press to accurately drill a hole can be pretty time consuming. Then when you start drilling a center hole, pilot hole, final undersized hole, and then maybe reaming with a chucking reamer, each one of those tools has quite a different length. If you have sufficient spindle travel, you can set the table up to the longest tool and then you can still start with the centerdrill without having to move the table and change the setup. If you don't have the spindle travel, you'll have to re-align everything when you start using the longer tools.

As far as the RPM range, you probably won't use the higher RPM ranges very often. The lower RPM range is usually the most important. Lower is better, especially if you're working with metal.