Drill Presss: What to consider when buying

[ron in sc]

I know I want a floor model, have lowest run out as possible, repair parts available and very slow rpm.

Confused about hp and voltage. Seem like some expensive models have lower hp on some models than less expensive models.

I have plenty of 220 outlets.

Suggestions welcome

 

[tool_scrounge]

I know I want a floor model, have lowest run out as possible, repair parts available and very slow rpm.

Confused about hp and voltage. Seem like some expensive models have lower hp on some models than less expensive models.

I have plenty of 220 outlets.

Suggestions welcome

There is a lot of bogus HP ratings in the world (take HF or Craftsman HP ratings) that are often times based on peak instantaneous INPUT power, not what is actually delivered to the output shaft. The industrial stuff tends to be more accurate on ratings.

What is your budget? $60, $600 or $6000? I do not want to sound flippant but it makes a big difference. Are you OK with used vs. new? How big of holes do you want to drill in what material? How big are your parts?

My favorite? An older used Delta Rockwell drill press from the mid 1960's with a step pulley and an industrial Leeson DC motor and motor speed control (easy to find on Ebay). Most of the time you use the DC speed control to change speeds, but you can also change the pulley position for changing speed ranges.

Lowest speed? I once had 15" Craftsman (Atlas) from 1942 with the optional 3rd pulley and a DC motor with speed control. 20 rpm with plenty of torque was no problem.

 

[crguy]

If you plan on doing anything besides just look at it, stay away from the import ****. Good old Delta is a very good choice.

 

[larry_g]

Confused about hp and voltage. Seem like some expensive models have lower hp on some models than less expensive models.



Suggestions welcome

Show us what you have been looking at. Also answer Tool-scrounges' questions. There is not one do it all machine out there . I once counted an I have 17 or so spindles in the shop that can drive a drill bit anywhere from 20 to 20k rpm.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[NOZZLEMAN]

Check out the Ellis... I have had one several years and although it is pricey, it comes with a VFD & 110V input on a three phase motor and it can be slowed to a stop. I've used annular cutters on 1" material w/ no problem and it hot taps fantastic because of the VFD and instant reverse. Do yourself a favor and check it out, worth every penny

 

[rsanter]

The bigger, the heavier....the better

Bob

 

[tool_scrounge]

Check out the Ellis... I have had one several years and although it is pricey, it comes with a VFD & 110V input on a three phase motor and it can be slowed to a stop. I've used annular cutters on 1" material w/ no problem and it hot taps fantastic because of the VFD and instant reverse. Do yourself a favor and check it out, worth every penny

HGR has a used one with DC variable speed and power feed for $849 obo. But as usual it is untested and should really be looked at in person before purchase. But if functional that is a pretty low price compared to new.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELLIS-12000-DRILL-PRESS-16-05160500014-/262446492635

 

[paulsomlo]

If you're looking for new, and want something better than the current class of Delta/Powermatic/Jet that's being marketed to woodworkers, plan on spending lots, say $2,000 minimum. It shouldn't come as a surprise that the best bang for the buck will be an old USA drill press. You're going to have to give up on the repair parts aspect of it, unless you consider used parts on ebay an acceptable source. Old Powermatic, Delta, Walker Turner, and Buffalo are all good bets. Bearings can be replaced, just be vigilant for excessive spindle play and cracked castings. And unless you're drilling very small holes, yes, bigger is better. I bought a 60 year old 18" Buffalo this winter, replacing a China made 12" Delta, world of difference. Oh, and lower RPMs? The previous posters nailed it - put a three phase motor/VFD or a DC motor on it.

 

[Davefr]

It shouldn't come as a surprise that the best bang for the buck will be an old USA drill press.

Just make sure it's an old USA MACHINIST DP. The vast majority of old US DP's were designed for woodworking. (ie limited speeds, 2 pulleys and lack of table lift). The old machinist DP's can be very hard to find and expensive.

You're going to have to give up on the repair parts aspect of it, unless you consider used parts on ebay an acceptable source. Old Powermatic, Delta, Walker Turner, and Buffalo are all good bets. Bearings can be replaced, just be vigilant for excessive spindle play and cracked castings.

Some bearings are even proprietary and hard to find. I agree to go over any old machine with a fine tooth comb. Restoration can be a whole new project that can be expensive and take a long time if parts need to be located.

Do you want an old DP to be "the project" or do you have projects for the DP. That's a tradeoff.

 

[ron in sc]

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Heavy-Duty-Floor-Model-Gearhead-Drill-Press/G0779?utm_campaign=zPage

considering chinese grizzly made in ISO 9001 factory.

I drill, 6061 T6 alum, different grades of steel including A500

 

[pepi]

You will want the table to be adjustable left right front, and back. So the bore of the hole will be true.

 

[tarbellb]

I like Grizzly for NEW purchases, same or better quality and cheaper then all the American brands..... that are built overseas anyways.

Very few new USA built machines new that are under $2000.

 

[zmotorsports]

I bought a new Jet 15" about 20 years ago and it was a good drill press but started to outgrow it about four years ago.

I started looking for a used Ellis but just couldn't find one locally. I ended up purchasing a new Jet 20" floor model and sold my 15". I have been quite happy with the 20" Jet for the past four years. Nice solid machine and smooth running once I replaced the belts with some better ones than what came with it.

Mike.

 

[dr_clyde]

I have an old 20" Walker Turner, and I am happy with it for the most part. I wish it had a more ergonomic way to change speeds, but the belts are fine, really. I don't drill a ton of holes with it, I mostly use it for a second op machine next to the mill. Countersinks and stuff like that.

If I could buy another drill I would get a Clausing, and then compliment it with a nice radial arm drill for the larger drilling, something in the 8" column, 36" arm range.


I would look for a nice table, minimal quill runout, a #3 morse taper spindle is nice, and a spindle speed meant for metal. I wouldn't go smaller than 20".

 

[ed4banger]

I recently bought a new Grizzly DP. Only thing about it I didn't like was the cheap chuck supplied with it. Its a 12 speed, 3/4hp, 140-3000rpm. Run-out was excessive IMO (.006"-.009"). Replaced chuck with an Albrecht key-less chuck to solve that issue.

 

[Itinker]

Because I try to be very conscience of using the correct spindle speed, ease of speed adjustment is a high priority. I have one drill press with a 16-speed belt swapping arrangement. I found I really did not often take the time to change the speeds when drilling one or two holes. My other Delta drill press has a dial mechanical variable speed mechanism. I prefer this arrangement for ease of use. But, per Delta, it requires frequent use and lubrication through the ranges or the belt will have a tendency to slip.

With great anticipation, I just took delivery of a pre-production model Nova Voyager DVR Drill Press. It has some very unique and promising features. It is still crated on the pallet until I shuffle things around in the shop, so I cannot comments yet on its performance. It has been in development for quite some time. From my understanding, getting the software just right delayed it's release. As part of the arrangement in purchasing the pre-production model, I will have free access to any future advantageous hardware, documentation and software updates.

Below are two links with additional details.

http://www.novatoolsusa.com/

http://teknatool.com/dvrm/Drill Press Case Study Job No X.PDF

 

[Ign]

Generally, round tables = woodworking
Square tables = metalworking

Beyond that, bigger and heavier is always better. I'd try for something with an MT3 spindle taper.

 

[zmotorsports]

I recently bought a new Grizzly DP. Only thing about it I didn't like was the cheap chuck supplied with it. Its a 12 speed, 3/4hp, 140-3000rpm. Run-out was excessive IMO (.006"-.009"). Replaced chuck with an Albrecht key-less chuck to solve that issue.

This is a good point that I forgot to mention. Get a good chuck if you go with any of the import drill presses, or even a domestic if it appears to be abused. The chuck is paramount in getting a good concentric hole.

Although the 5/8" capacity chuck that came with my Jet was not as bad as some I have seen, I still replaced it with a Jacobs 16N (5/8" ball bearing).

Mike.