I have looked on craigslist weekly for almost a year in search of a drill press. I am looking for a owermatic preferably 1150. I wanted a Clausing but have never seen one for sale in my area. Every used powermatic I have seen on Craigslist is going for $750 or better. This seems a little high considering I can get the new PM2800b for $1000 (display model). So my question is for the money which one would you choose and why?
Drill press new or old.
- Thread starter shawhite
- Start date
tombell572
Well-known member
Location would help. Look for a used Buffalo--tough, well-made old machines without as much recognition as better known brands.
Tom B.
Tom B.
bob15
Well-known member
A couple other used companies to look for are: Walker Turner and Atlas.
Location would be helpful.
Location would be helpful.
Be careful with the Buffalo brand. There are some imported drill presses with the Buffalo brand. They are not related to the old Buffalo machines.
lg
no neat sig line
Marctrees
Well-known member
Rockwell or Wilton, Clausing, early Powermatic ( McMinville, TN) etc - Well, you MAY find one for a few hundred, If compared to new, they are priceless, and in good cleaned up shape, they will live for 100+ more years used regularly.
Really.... even longer, w bearing replacement.
I have an early 50's Delta 17" made in Milwaukee, WS.
Example below, or do the reading, or go to Harbor Freight if that's your thing.
Your best bet is USA made, 1940's through 60's, if you plan on living for awhile.
I guess you could get a Buffalo, or Pittsburg, Chicago (funny as hell names) etc, and
use ****.
May want to learn to speak Chinese.
Once you see and touch one with your hands, and then transport it, you will hopefully understand.
I would study this, then decide.---
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116677
Just my opinion though. Marc
Really.... even longer, w bearing replacement.
I have an early 50's Delta 17" made in Milwaukee, WS.
Example below, or do the reading, or go to Harbor Freight if that's your thing.
Your best bet is USA made, 1940's through 60's, if you plan on living for awhile.
I guess you could get a Buffalo, or Pittsburg, Chicago (funny as hell names) etc, and
use ****.
May want to learn to speak Chinese.
Once you see and touch one with your hands, and then transport it, you will hopefully understand.
I would study this, then decide.---
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116677
Just my opinion though. Marc
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Marctrees
Well-known member
Walker- Turner and Atlas, more than fine for a weekend warrior.
BUT - NOT same league AT ALL as OLD Delta, Powermatic, Clausing, and some others not in mind at moment. Marc
BUT - NOT same league AT ALL as OLD Delta, Powermatic, Clausing, and some others not in mind at moment. Marc
Brick_Smart
Active member
I disagree about Walker-Turner being weekend warrior material, they built some fantastic drill presses. I just finished up the restoration and VFD conversion on my WT. Setup with the VFD I have spindle speeds from 30 rpm up to ~2000 rpm, have powered spindle brake, instant reverse for tapping or trouble, and it could break my wrist before stopping the spindle.
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Brick_Smart
Active member
I do agree that the 15" Atlas drill presses aren't "industrial" machines, I was able to punch some 1" holes in aluminum plate, but that maxed out my Atlas with low speed pulley. Beautiful machines for a home shop though
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You really need to decide if you want the DP to be "the project" or if you have "projects" for the DP. That will help you decide on old vs new.
If you want something suitable for metal/machinist work, keep in mind that only a tiny fraction of the vintage DP's out there were intended for that type of work. The vast majority were 15" DP's marketed for woodworkers. (they lack the speed range for metal work and also lack features like table lift.)
A "classic" vintage DP suitable for machinist work can take years to find and months to restore. They almost always need restoration. (bearings are worn out or dry, parts are missing/very hard to find, belts are cracked, they're rusty/need stripped and painted, tables have arc of shame, wiring is unsafe, wrong motors, etc, etc, etc, etc)
(example)
It took me years to find this one and several months and lots of "moolah" to restore it:
If you want something suitable for metal/machinist work, keep in mind that only a tiny fraction of the vintage DP's out there were intended for that type of work. The vast majority were 15" DP's marketed for woodworkers. (they lack the speed range for metal work and also lack features like table lift.)
A "classic" vintage DP suitable for machinist work can take years to find and months to restore. They almost always need restoration. (bearings are worn out or dry, parts are missing/very hard to find, belts are cracked, they're rusty/need stripped and painted, tables have arc of shame, wiring is unsafe, wrong motors, etc, etc, etc, etc)
(example)
It took me years to find this one and several months and lots of "moolah" to restore it:
bob15
Well-known member
What parts do you really think you'll need in the future? I've yet to break a drill press......changed a belt, but I got the replacement from NAPA
He'll need the parts that are broken, missing or worn out on a vintage machine. It's really tough to find "cream puffs".
bob15
Well-known member
They are out there, you just need to look them over before buying them. Just need a little patience.
tonyciambrone
Well-known member
my buddy has a pair of 26" Leland Giffords. He got them for less than $100, presumably because they are too big for a homeowner.
wish I had a 10 or 12' ceiling so I could steal one.
wish I had a 10 or 12' ceiling so I could steal one.
Murphy4570
Well-known member
I have a 1980's vintage USA Wilton 15" drill press myself. It's homeowner level, definitely not marketed towards machinists. Lowest speed is 500RPM, a bit fast for drilling over 1/2" or so. I wish it had a hand crank to lift the table.
Keep an eye out for old USA made drill presses. One in good shape will be hard to find, especially if you want a higher end model.
Keep an eye out for old USA made drill presses. One in good shape will be hard to find, especially if you want a higher end model.
Gizmosity
Well-known member
I have a recently acquired older Rockwell and a 1970's Craftsman Industrial. I would trade them both and a wad of cash for a Canedy Otto similar to what I have in our Metals lab. Table on dovetail ways with a crank as well as an adjustable quill on dovetail ways. I had a line on one about 5 years ago but had no place to put it in my apartment back then......and it wouldn't fit in the elevator, I checked.
justanengineer
Well-known member
I'd recommend inquiring with the local industrial surplus dealers or attending a few auctions, JMO but craigs and ebay are vastly overpriced.
Realistically I wouldnt worry too much about parts availability for a drill press if the major castings arent cracked and the sheetmetal is in acceptable condition or youre willing to fab. Drill presses are one of the simplest machines there is, an easy weekend resto project until you get up into the real heavy iron mentioned, and parts are all common industrial stock. I've rebuilt several including new bearings, new rack&pinion for table lift, and even power feed parts out of the Kamen catalog, the biggest job with the ones you mention would be remachining the Reeves drive if optioned with one and worn out.
Realistically I wouldnt worry too much about parts availability for a drill press if the major castings arent cracked and the sheetmetal is in acceptable condition or youre willing to fab. Drill presses are one of the simplest machines there is, an easy weekend resto project until you get up into the real heavy iron mentioned, and parts are all common industrial stock. I've rebuilt several including new bearings, new rack&pinion for table lift, and even power feed parts out of the Kamen catalog, the biggest job with the ones you mention would be remachining the Reeves drive if optioned with one and worn out.
I have a 70's Clausing and 40's Delta 17", as well as that Wilton 15, and I have no doubt the Wilton is industrial quality. It's extremely heavy, has a 6" spindle stroke, and the table & base are well proportioned (not top heavy). Like many industrial machines, the lift was an option and there is an acme thread hole at the back of the table to implement that. I solved that issue with an electric lift, and got a 280 rpm low speed by changing to a 1150 rpm motor. I recently was offered another Wilton 15 just like it except not VS drive (it had stepped pulleys) and it had the optional lift----I kick myself for turning it down at $80
Btw, Jet still offers the original Wilton USA drill presses and the current version of that 15-inch VS model is nearly $2000. While the lift is now included, as well as a digital revmeter, it is still very much the same design and definitely industrial grade:
http://www.cpojettools.com/jet-3545...p=jetn354550&gclid=CPzth9SMrdACFZQ0aQodOnYHFw
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rsanter
Well-known member
If you are willing to pay $1000 for a drill press how about looking for a milling machine like a Bport clone. Even one that is a bit worn will be tighter than most drill presses you will ever see in your life. And you get the Benifits of a mill to make slots, to dial into a center point very accurately, to clean up and edge, to move presisely between points to drill.....etc
Bob
Bob
I also disagree. My WT was a beast. It regularly put large (upwards of 2") holes in thick metal plate. It did have the somewhat rare third pulley. Nearly 60 years old and almost no run out.
I sold it yesterday and already regret it.
RodneyW
Well-known member
All I know is I've never heard anyone complain that they bought an old American made drill press instead of a cheap Asian one.
If you need to drill holes now, buy a used Asian press. That will get you going. Then keep your eyes open for a good USA or European made one-though the European tools aren't common here.
Drill presses tend to go higher in my area than other machines-probably because more people have a use for one-but patience and persistence will pay off.
Rodney
EDIT: I forgot to add. A 3 phase press with a VFD is a great way to get variable speed. Also, many home owners tend to pass on 3 phase machines so you might get a deal on one that way too.
If you need to drill holes now, buy a used Asian press. That will get you going. Then keep your eyes open for a good USA or European made one-though the European tools aren't common here.
Drill presses tend to go higher in my area than other machines-probably because more people have a use for one-but patience and persistence will pay off.
Rodney
EDIT: I forgot to add. A 3 phase press with a VFD is a great way to get variable speed. Also, many home owners tend to pass on 3 phase machines so you might get a deal on one that way too.
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oldldh
Well-known member
I think I am just going to make due with my bench top model for now and keep my eye out for a older USA made press. I would love to have a milling machine but don't think it could take the place of a drill press for my uses. So of the projects I work on have me drilling in the end of long pieces this is why I want a stand up drill press for the extra capacity.
Marctrees
Well-known member
Re my Walker Turner comment - I totally misspoke, wasn't thinking.
I was not thinking of their nice floor ones, but the common (years ago at least) home shop benchtop ones.
The big ones as guys mentioned above, nice !.
And even the home ones were good, just not as beefy as their floor ones. Marc
I was not thinking of their nice floor ones, but the common (years ago at least) home shop benchtop ones.
The big ones as guys mentioned above, nice !.
And even the home ones were good, just not as beefy as their floor ones. Marc
bob15
Well-known member
The pictures are too small to really see anything.
Well went and looked a couple drill presses today. One was the one I have picture of above. It was very nice but seemed a little high on price ($1500). Looked a 2 powermatic. One almost new one. Can't. Relieve they want $1000+ for a Chinese made drill press. Other powermatic was a 1200 vs. it was in ok shape but and not priced to bad $500. But I googled some of the parts it needs to get it back into shape and they are not cheap. So my question now is what should I offer the guy with the Clausing and what would be the best choice between the Clausing 1672 or the pm1200
bob15
Well-known member
Do you need it now? Or have some patience and keep looking: C-List, e-bay, GJ classifieds, swap meets, flea markets, pawn shops, local newspaper classifieds, etc.
Redboy
Well-known member
I saw your thread pop up and immediately thought of this video...
I prefer the older machines.
Price range is a **** shoot. You might find an amazing deal on an amazing machine tomorrow, or you might shop for weeks and come up empty-handed. Either way, decide how much you're willing to pay and when the right deal comes up, act swiftly and decisively!
Good luck!
I prefer the older machines.
Price range is a **** shoot. You might find an amazing deal on an amazing machine tomorrow, or you might shop for weeks and come up empty-handed. Either way, decide how much you're willing to pay and when the right deal comes up, act swiftly and decisively!
Good luck!
I have the same 15" Clausing drill press, except mine has a production table with lift, and non -Morse taper spindle. I think $500 would be a fair price for the one in the pics. Keep in mind a 20" Clausing came up for sale 1/2 mile from my house for $225. It was a bargain, but I have no means to transport a 600 lb machine so I passed and it sold later. Bargains are definitely available if you search and wait for them.