Drill Press?

[Aeroman]

Hey Fellas,

I recently bought a drill press from Harbor Freight and it has broken down after the first use. Do you have a brand you recommend? I am looking at either a bench top drill press or floor drill press. I have read up on Delta's, craftsman, etc...let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

 

[PAToyota]

Personally, I prefer the older models - Delta, Clausing, or Rockwell.

 

[Aeroman]

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/408429238.html

this good?

 

[dxdexter]

I have a Grizzly G7948 and am very pleased with its operation. It is made offshore, but its hard to find any that aren't without mortgaging the house.

The best thing about the drill press is the large table that has a border which can retain and redirect oil/water cutting fluid back into a reservoir I added underneath. I have drilled holes up to 1" in diameter with no troubles, but I do admit the added cooling system has aided in this.

These drill presses are also marketed under many other tool manufacturers names, so shop around. You will often find the same units for a wide range of prices.

I considered purchasing a General model 34-10 drill press which is made in Canada, but at almost $800 more I couldn't justify the cost.

Grizzly Link: http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2007/Main/109

General Link: http://www.general.ca/pagemach/machines/0general/34013410a.html

 

[OldCarGuy]

Rather than new, I would recommend that you look around and purchase a good used dinosaur at a garage sale, newspaper add, Craig’s list, word of mouth, or ebay. A far better value than any of the imported stuff I see being sold new. I purchased my first drill press at a garage sale for $10.00 some 40 years ago. It’s a Craftsman 14” cast iron bench top model. It has served me well..

I more recently purchased a Delta 20” floor model drill press with a 7” quill travel. I replaced the three-phase motor with a 120 Volt 1 HP motor, made down feed handle, and added a 5/8” Jacobs chuck. I have less than $300.00 invested.

 

[dxdexter]

I more recently purchased a Delta 20” floor model drill press with a 7” quill travel. I replaced the three-phase motor with a 120 Volt 1 HP motor, made down feed handle, and added a 5/8” Jacobs chuck. I have less than $300.00 invested.

That Delta is a great looking drill press. I really prefer the floor model.

How old is that unit?

I see there is piping under the table for coolant redirection. Have you considered rigging it up. I used a parts washer pump and an modified power hack saw reservoir.

 

[Freejack]

The other thing about looking for older presses is that its easier to find the split housing style. Almost all mid to lower price presses have only a bore in the casting to hold the quill, so play is determined by the quality of the bore tolerance. Older presses (or more expensive newer units) generally have a split housing that allows you to set the play in the quill.

Jake

 

[OldCarGuy]

That Delta is a great looking drill press. I really prefer the floor model.

How old is that unit?

I see there is piping under the table for coolant redirection. Have you considered rigging it up. I used a parts washer pump and an modified power hack saw reservoir.

My Delta was manufactured in the early 1950’s. I never thought about adding a flood coolant system to it. I just keep a spray bottle handy when drilling to mist the drill bit.

I do have and use a flood coolant system on my Rotary head mill, larger lathe, surface grinder, and cut-off saw.

 

[PAToyota]

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/408429238.html

this good?

Looks like a good start - I picked up a benchtop version like that for my father. Very nice piece of equipment and much better than what you'd get out of the stores. It would be worth taking a look at. Take a look at the condition and operation, make sure things are still true and don't wobble or anything, but it looks like you have a possible beauty there!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Old USA....Old USA.....Old USA.....

 

[wilbilt]

I have three. A 1950s Craftsman 15" benchtop (free), an old floor model 15" Walker-Turner ($55) and a small Craftsman HF clone (a gift).

The new Chinese Craftsman has got to go...

 

[Jay H 237]

I have a floor mounted Craftsman from 1949. My grandfather bought it new and gave it to me before he passed.

Definitely keep your eyes on in the papers in your area. I've seen advertisements for machinery being sold off by companies and schools that are up grading or going out of business (company) or getting rid of thier tech programs (schools). Let others know too, you never know who may have one or know where there is one for sale.

 

[Aeroman]

Thank you for all of your great comments and images. I will definitely keep my eyes peeled for a good, used MADE IN USA one!

 

[Sanctifier]

Having already taken the plunge, can anyone advise on or review a drill press I bought recently? It's an unused/demo Turn Pro 20in. "401VS" Variable Speed, metalworking Drill Press.

US retail = $2,000... "Scratch & Dent" price = $500 US
It took nearly three months searching eBay but I hope it's worth it.

I know that ENCO sell then in the US but who actually manufacturers them abroad? It looks VERY similar to the Grizzly G9749 20" VS unit.

Can anyone give a quick review on its quality? How accurate is it in use?

Thanks.

 

[Sanctifier]

Whoa!... Come on guys. Quality can't be that bad!... Not for $500.00!

Haven't put it into service yet, so a review and maybe some "setup" and maintenance advice would really help.

Thanks.

 

[W-Cummins]

Haven't put it into service yet, so a review and maybe some "setup" and maintenance advice would really help.

Thanks.

ok... sure....

Take it off the pallet and plug it in.....

looks like it's a bench top DP so might want to put it on one...

Yep, maintain it too, that is a good idea.

We now will be expecting _Your_ review of the tool as we don't own one. Now if you want to send it to me I will beat the hell out of it for a few months and let you know how it works

William...

 

[wilbilt]

Whoa!... Come on guys. Quality can't be that bad!... Not for $500.00!

It looks like a solid unit. The variable speed is a very nice feature. Let us know how it does.

 

[PAToyota]

Whoa!... Come on guys. Quality can't be that bad!...

I don't think it is that people think it is horrible - just likely that nobody else has tried one yet. Personally, it is not a model that I've seen before.

 

[Sanctifier]

wilbilt and PAToyota thanks for the replies. Don't live in the US so I don't know what's popular there. Never heard of it before either. I'll post a review when it's up and running.

Now for "little Willie-Cummins"...

... looks like it's a bench top DP so might want to put it on one...
Yep, maintain it too, that is a good idea...
Now if you want to send it to me I will beat the hell out of it for a few months and let you know how it works...

Yup, just your average 6' 2½", 615 lb bench-top drill press...

Sorry you feel it necessary to flame a newbie.
Made you feel like a "real" hero, didn't it!

Maybe you can build a workbench to fit the drill press.
I'll tell you where to keep it when you're through...
Tip: Maybe a barrel of lard will help... but then again, you might not need it.

Thanks again for all the constructive comments, "very little Willie"...

My $0.02¢

 

[-lecroix-]

... is everyone in Trinidad an ******* ... or is it just you?

 

[W-Cummins]

Now for "little Willie-Cummins"...

Yup, just your average 6' 2½", 615 lb bench-top drill press...
Sorry you feel it necessary to flame a newbie. Maybe it's not your fault.
The stress of building your shop must be finally getting to you...

After all your sarcasm I'll be sure to PM you with a review first.
You must have a whole lot of really close friends.
No wonder you want to live in your workshop.

Thanks again for all the constructive comments "little Willie"...

My $0.02¢

I was just looking at the pictures you posted and it looked like the unit wasn't much taller than the pallet jack handle That's why I said it looks like a bench top machine. Not that it was not a well built machine. They make very HD bench top machines.

As for flaming you... Hardly... you would know it if I had chosen to do that. I was being sarcastic and I put lots of smiley faces just so you wouldn't feel otherwise. As you have the machine and your asking us to tell you about it seems to be rather strange to say the least. Were you looking for a reason to feel bad about purchasing it or did you want a gloat about getting it at $500?? Ok here is your official "YOU ****" BTW did you follow my advice and plug it in..

William...

 

[Sanctifier]

^ ^ ^ Ahh... Willie... Willie. Nope, I don't like to gloat. Life's too short. Too short on $$$ for that anyhow.
I never owned a drill press before this one. My dad had an old lathe and radial arm saw etc. but no drill press.
Just couldn't pass up that deal. Didn't know a damn about that brand that's why I asked the questions... No biggie.

More concerned about learning how to maintain it and use it properly than gloating. I was hoping you guys could teach me more about it, that's all.

 

[Uncle Buck]

^ ^ ^ Ahh... Willie... Willie. Nope, I don't like to gloat. Life's too short. Too short on $$$ for that anyhow.
I never owned a drill press before this one. My dad had an old lathe and radial arm saw etc. but no drill press.
Just couldn't pass up that deal. Didn't know a damn bout that brand that's why I asked the questions... No biggie.

I will give ya this; with the grand sum of ten posts behind your name you are not off to a good start with all the attitude you brought with you. So with that I will bid you adieu as I have added you to my short list of assholes to ignore on this board. Goodbye peter head!

 

[Sanctifier]

^ ^ ^ Wow, another friendly reply. Where I'm from, we tend to treat newbies a little differently. Thanks for the kind welcome hholmberg but I'll leave the childish name calling to you, okay?

 

[eschoendorff]

Let's see Sanctifier... you come in with a bunch of attitude, have an avatar that flips us off and show a freakin' Subaru in your signature. Gee.. maybe you're right. Maybe we're being too hard on you.

 

[Sanctifier]

^ ^ ^ I didn't know about the drill press, so I asked people who know more about it than I do. The attitude as you call it is in reply to unnecessary sarcasm to straightforward questions.

Strange, W-Cummins seems to have no more problems and dropped the issue... but you do? Maybe you would prefer me not to defend myself???

BTW the avatar is a baby... it's supposed to be funny...
This forum ALSO has icons of the same thing... so what gives???

You have a problem with the car too? ... It's an Evolution 6 not a Subaru.
FYI it won the WRC for four years in a row. That record hasn't been broken yet.
I didn't think that only US cars were allowed.

 

[Uncle Buck]

^ ^ ^ Wow, another friendly reply. Where I'm from, we tend to treat newbies a little differently. Thanks for the kind welcome hholmberg but I'll leave the childish name calling to you, okay?

I abandoned my usual welcome new guy reply due to your unsavory response to W-Cummins, I have never seen the guy post anything, to anyone on this board that I would consider off color and that includes his post to you! I read the post you were bitchin about and I saw nothing offensive about it!

Usually new folks here get a very warm response; but I don't care where you go in life you cannot just waltze through the door piss on everyones Wheaties and expect a warm and fuzzy response!

 

[-lecroix-]

NEWSFLASH!!!

After further research, I have concluded that NOT everyone from Trinidad is an *******.

Just this guy. :tard:

 

[Uncle Buck]

NEWSFLASH!!!

After further research, I have concluded that NOT everyone from Trinidad is an *******.

Just this guy. :tard:

Damned funny..............you do make me laugh!

 

[tweety652]

I abandoned my usual welcome new guy reply due to your unsavory response to W-Cummins, I have never seen the guy post anything, to anyone on this board that I would consider off color and that includes his post to you! I read the post you were bitchin about and I saw nothing offensive about it!

Usually new folks here get a very warm response; but I don't care where you go in life you cannot just waltze through the door piss on everyones Wheaties and expect a warm and fuzzy response!

i dont remember getting a welcome??!? hmmmm maybe im on that list

 

[v8garage]

Just to try and get this post back on track....I just bought an old Walker Turner drill press (minus motor) for $40.00 at the antique tractor swap meet in South Haven Mi. I will try to get some pics posted soon. I sure can't buy equipment like this back home in Texas that cheap. It weighs about 600# took four of us to load it in a pickup.

 

[Uncle Buck]

i dont remember getting a welcome??!? hmmmm maybe im on that list

Not at all, I just did not notice you quick enough, I don't get every newby, but since you qualify; Welcome, Welcome, Glad to have you here with us! Sorry it is belated!

 

[eschoendorff]

After reading some of his other posts, I am starting to think taht maybe Sanctifier just came off teh wrong way. He's a little over the top, but he may mellow..... We'll just leave him in a room with Lecroix