Drill Presses and Homeowners

[Cato]

Homeowners, do you get a lot of use out of your drill press? I am trying to find a reason to buy one.

Anyway, I have always gotten by with power drills but am thinking it might nice to be able to drill precision holes quickly and easily when the need arises.

So do you use your drill press much?

 

[CoopVA]

I love my drill press.


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[metal1313]

for the rare time I need it, my 20in jet press is great. I do not use it very frequently, mostly because I have not tackled a large project of the nature that might require it. I bought it used and paid about 40% of the original price for it, and will never need another press. 1.5hp, 1 3/8 capacity in steel. a very nice machine

 

[Foggy50361]

If your struggling to find the reasoning to buy one you probably don't need it, I have one and I bought it to drill a couple of seized bolts in a head, (if I have a job to do I always try to incorporate a new tool, mostly its jigs or cutters etc. very occasionally big tools). The cost in my head was justified. I use it now for wood and metal work

 

[Flivver250]

I do not use my benchtop model often, but it is useful to have when I do. I have many tools that get used very little, but I'd replace them if I lost them. Life isn't just about needs. Satisfying wants factor heavily into happiness.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

We are tool addicts here. Don't need no reason to buy tools.

I don't use mine a lot but there is no substitute when I need it

 

[Cope]

I have a Craftsman that I bought new in 1976 and a used Delta I bought a few years ago. From time to time I have used them extensively, and there are times I don't use them at all. Still an invaluable shop tool.

 

[David Paul]

We are tool addicts here. Don't need no reason to buy tools.

I don't use mine a lot but there is no substitute when I need it

I would have to say the exact same thing....

 

[Kirbot]

If I couldn't convince myself to get a drill press...
I'd pick up one of these.

Small, cheap, and effective.

That said.... I would cry if I had to give up my drill press....

 

[bobcatdan]

I have a smaller bench top delta I got for free. It is handy to have when I need it, but I use it enough that I would pay for one. My radial harm saw is handier since I can at least pile stuff on it.

 

[GTO]

Find a used one at reduced cost.
CL usually is a good start.

 

[maddawg1952]

My Delta Drill press is in the center of the basement workshop, gets used constantly. So much I'm thinking of buying a bench top model for the garage so I don't have to run down stairs when I want to drill something there or out in the yard.

 

[bczygan]

There is no reason for the average person to have one.

If all you do in life is work, eat, sleep and poop, you have no need.

In fact, you need not have a hammer or a screwdriver or a tape measure.

Millions of people are born, live and die without ever touching a drill press.

But this forum is not made up of average people.

Here, the members like to have the ability to make and remake things.

Even when it is sitting unused in a garage or shop for long periods of time, a tool like a drill press has the potential for use.

This gives the owner power.

It's like having a pickup truck in the driveway.

You don't need a pickup for daily life.

You can get around in many other ways.

But it has the potential to allow the owner to haul many things, every day that he has it.

 

[MikeF2316]

I didn't think I really wanted one, I don't have a lot of workspace. But my dad gave me one for a birthday present quite a few years back, and I find myself using it more than I thought I would. It's just a cheap benchtop one, but it has a lot of different speed adjustments. Occasionally the Morse taper that the chuck is mounted to releases, but otherwise it's been flawless. If it broke, I'd replace it with a better one.

 

[erty67]

If you're trying to find a reason, check craigslist for a decent used one. I ended up buying a cheap used benchtop for $40 because i wanted one, but couldnt find the "need". I haven't used it yet but I keep saying, "good thing I have that"

 

[Outlander]

I'm always putting a hole in something. I also put sanding drums in for edge finishing (woodwork). If I found a deal, I'd upgrade!

 

[J king]

I bought one . Never know when you need a hole enlarged a lot bigger. Lol
300 bucs doesn't get you much these days..lol!!

 

[RonnieC]

Homeowners, do you get a lot of use out of your drill press? I am trying to find a reason to buy one.

Anyway, I have always gotten by with power drills but am thinking it might nice to be able to drill precision holes quickly and easily when the need arises.

So do you use your drill press much?

Sounds like you already identified your reason. I authorize this purchase.

 

[jsharpphoto]

I bought a used delta model for $75 of CL for a specific project a few years ago. I find myself using it almost weekly.

 

[t4runner]

As other have said if you have to ask then you probably don't need one. I for one think its a core piece of equipment for any shop, home or professional.

 

[Tronyadorable]

You'll find yourself using it constantly. Get ready for $$ for hole saws, drum sanders, a good vice and maybe ona these.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,240,41060&p=63315

Wait until after the holidays. The millions of meth-crack heads will be selling off everything,as usual.

 

[Don 18]

I don't have one, but I have been looking for the right one for a while. I do most of my stuff with a hand drill, but there are many times that a drill press would have made the job much easier.

Now I just need a place in the garage to put it.....

 

[blkadder]

I picked up a Craftsman bench top press several years ago. I got it when I started building rifles from parts kits, and I can tell you just having it to drill out old spot welds is worth the $25 I paid for it off CL. I have had to rebuild it, since it started moving to the right every time I pressed down, but after replacing a couple of bearings, it has been good to go. I also use it quite a bit when I build enclosures for my Nixie clocks. I would really like a large floor mount drill press, but after my last couple of vise purchases, I need to keep the wife happy (i.e. jewelry) before any other purchases.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

I have a large Jet DP but then I do a lot of woodworking and wood turning. IMO you don't really need one unless you have a real use case that makes you use it regularly. However I totally understand the desire to have one for even occasional use. IMO most bench top DPs off Craigslist are the best way to go.

 

[Cypherian]

Do you need a Drill Press ....
Well it does depend on what you do in your shop and or what you wish to do. However, if you want to drill precision holes ie straight and to correct depth drill press is your tool. If you want to do repeating pattern holes for shelf pegs etc the drill press is your tool. If you want to do some sanding and shaping again the drill press is your tool. If you want to do mortise and tenon get a drill press jig . Want to drill big holes using forstner bits , hole saws, circle cutters and such a drill press will do it if you can fit the part on the table. I am sure there are many other uses but they vary on the size and type of drill press you buy.

Cypher

 

[raddksn]

I have a black&decker bench top it's stored under the bench most of the time. I would use it more if it was out and ready all the time. Thinking about a Brake drum pedastal for it.

 

[bczygan]

Tools find uses.

Standing alone and naked, you can do nothing.

Properly equipped and trained, you can do anything.

 

[cheechi]

I don't need one. But I have one and I'm happy that I do. I find uses for it when I need a third hand or generally when you run into an odd situation.

Move the head out of the way and use the table as an extra clamping surface. bonus if yours has a 'miter gage' on the tilt you can do all kinds of things. I have a ring light around mine (from woodcraft I think) and that helps too especially you can move the light up & down or the table up & down. I don't have a really good bench lamp so this works great sometimes.

I love the fact I can clamp a piece, pre drill, countersink, and have the same center both times. That right there is worth the purchase price 3 times over.

 

[road]

There is no reason for the average person to have one.

If all you do in life is work, eat, sleep and poop, you have no need.

In fact, you need not have a hammer or a screwdriver or a tape measure.

Millions of people are born, live and die without ever touching a drill press.

But this forum is not made up of average people.

Here, the members like to have the ability to make and remake things.

Even when it is sitting unused in a garage or shop for long periods of time, a tool like a drill press has the potential for use.

This gives the owner power.

It's like having a pickup truck in the driveway.

You don't need a pickup for daily life.

You can get around in many other ways.

But it has the potential to allow the owner to haul many things, every day that he has it.

Perfect reply ! Nuff said..

 

[Alchymist]

The drill press isn't the problem, I picked my floor model Craftsman 150 up for $75. It's the hole saws, twist drills, spade drills, brad point bits, forstner bits, etc, that add up. Last purchase a week or so ago was a single forstner bit - $27 shipped. Shop is full of various bits - hundreds of them.

 

[AmickRacing]

If I can chime in with an recommendation... If you intend on drilling steel, and making sizable holes (say above 1/2"), make sure the drill press turns slow!
Most of the cheap drill press's won't go below around 600 rpm. Turn a big bit that fast and you'll have issues. Slower the better, but for a normal drill press a slow speed in the 200 rpm range is a good number.

Now... get lucky and find a good old one on craigslist, old american steel that'll last another life time... and you'd be added on to the list of people who irritate me and find good deals lol

 

[Richard Cranium]

I went to a yard sale last spring to buy a snap-on tool box that they had advertised, after I loaded up the box, I saw that they also had a craftsman bench model drill press, The guy let me buy it for another **.00. For that price I couldn't go wrong. So Yes I have one, No I have not used it yet. Yes I have a lot of whole saws and other accessories that I can use with it....****

 

[azhatchback]

If I can chime in with an recommendation... If you intend on drilling steel, and making sizable holes (say above 1/2"), make sure the drill press turns slow!
Most of the cheap drill press's won't go below around 600 rpm. Turn a big bit that fast and you'll have issues. Slower the better, but for a normal drill press a slow speed in the 200 rpm range is a good number.

Now... get lucky and find a good old one on craigslist, old american steel that'll last another life time... and you'd be added on to the list of people who irritate me and find good deals lol

Good post . I am in the market for a drill press too, for metal. In the past few months I have found that I really need one. I have been looking at the grizzly presses. They have speeds as slow as 140 on smaller bench units. Anyone have experience with these?

This is the one I am eying:
http://grizzly9-px.rtrk.ca/products/12-Speed-Heavy-Duty-Bench-Top-Drill-Press/G7943

 

[ajchien]

Tools find uses.

Standing alone and naked, you can do nothing.

Properly equipped and trained, you can do anything.

Agreed.

I thought I didn't need a drill press. Picked up a $20 benchtop from an estate sale, and used it so much that I bought a CL floor standing model.

If I need a hole, and the project can go to the press. It does. Only if the project can't go to the press, do I use a regular drill.

 

[RivennHewn]

When not in use, it makes a nice coffee table in the shop.

If you work alone and need someone to hold your beer while you do something stupid, it works for that too.

 

[aaronrkelly]

My buddy lives 2 doors down.....he has a drill press. One month I walked down there to use his so often I decided I had to have one.

Figuring I wouldnt use it very often I went and got a HF cheapy.....

......that was almost a year ago. I havent needed a drill press since I bought it.

 

[CGT80]

A drill press is a waste of space.





The bench top milling machine is where it is at, for me. I have an imported mill. It is a drill press on steroids. The table beats a drill press table, and you can mill with it. Then again, I am not someone who just eats, sleeps, and poops.

It all depends on what kinds of projects you plan to do. I spent 17 years working in the construction industry, do many trades, and I do my own auto work and hobby stuff. A drill press compliments welders, saw, grinders, etc. The milling machine is even better if you really get into it.

You don't have to have a drill press for most work around the house. My most used tools as a pro were my Milwaukee 28 volt cordless. I did a lot of small jobs, but some big ones as well. You just have to know how to use what you have, and then decide when it is worth having more tools.

 

[straightcut]

I didn't think I needed one, then a when a friend offered me a deal on a Craftsman floor model, so I bought it. I can't image not having it and love the chance to use it. I don't use it all that often, but it's sure nice to have when I do. It's a great piece of equipment to have!

 

[zkling]

For a homeowner, that is just working around their house; no. They would be much better served by a table saw or miter saw. IMHO a drill press is for someone that likes to tinker and build, not just maintain their house.

 

[uart]

I thought I didn't need a drill press. Picked up a $20 benchtop from an estate sale, and used it so much that I bought a CL floor standing model.

If I need a hole, and the project can go to the press. It does. Only if the project can't go to the press, do I use a regular drill.

+1 ajchien.

I've only got a cheap benchtop model but I totally agree about their usefulness. If something can go to the drill press then 95% of the time that's where it will get drilled, particularly (99.9%) when drilling steel. After getting accustomed to using the press I now absolutely loath to have to drill steel with a portable drill.

With a hand drill on steel it always seems that if you try to drill with enough pressure to get anywhere near correct feed and speed that the bit will jam and break when it exits. So you always end up having to drill high speed and low pressure, which dulls bits much more rapidly. To me it feels as though I could drill about 5 to 10 times more holes using a drill press (with correct feed and speed), and still have the bit in better shape compared to one used on a hand drill.