Good Drill Press

[jacob_coulter]

I wanted to go in with several other relatives and buy a drill press for my father-in-law, he's really into woodworking. I don't want to buy a used model because it's a gift. Does anyone have any good recommendations for a $400 or so model?

Are the Craftsman models any good, I was looking at this model:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...=TOOL&subcat=Drill+Presses&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes


Any brands I should take a look at? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CarpenterJC]

I make it a point to always buy either Delta,Powermatic or Jet Woodworking tools..always had excellent luck with all 3 of those..Delta being My first choice.


JC

 

[Roospike]

I wanted to go in with several other relatives and buy a drill press for my father-in-law, he's really into woodworking. I don't want to buy a used model because it's a gift. Does anyone have any good recommendations for a $400 or so model?

Are the Craftsman models any good, I was looking at this model:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...=TOOL&subcat=Drill+Presses&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes


Any brands I should take a look at? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I bought the Jet 16-1/2 in. Floor Mount Drill Press about two years ago and use it for 99% metal work drilling up to 1 1/4" bits on up to 1/2" thick steel and this drill press works great and havent had one issue. If the drill press will hold up to steel / metal work then wood will be no problem at all.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...=TOOL&subcat=Drill+Presses&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

 

[ba614]

I have a Rigid brand floor drill press. $300 to $400 price range. I got it at Home Depot. I use it for metal work. No complaints with it in 2 years.

 

[PAToyota]

I don't want to buy a used model because it's a gift.

Funny you should say that. I picked up an old Delta benchtop drill press for my father for Christmas this year. Cost me $50. Cleaned it up a bit. He was tickled. I know it was much better quality than anything I could have picked up new for many times the price...

 

[Uncle Buck]

Funny you should say that. I picked up an old Delta benchtop drill press for my father for Christmas this year. Cost me $50. Cleaned it up a bit. He was tickled. I know it was much better quality than anything I could have picked up new for many times the price...

Truer words never spoke!

 

[Major Ramifications]

I believe it is Delta that offers a drill press made specifically for woodworking. I don't know if you can get one for $400, though.

 

[-lecroix-]

the JET and Harbor Freight stuff is pretty much the same presses ... a little different on the sheetmetal, but they are made in same factory ...

 

[Roospike]

the JET and Harbor Freight stuff is pretty much the same presses ... a little different on the sheetmetal, but they are made in same factory ...

Odd , my brothers Harbor Freight drill press and my Jet are different in a lot of ways and the motor is even different and there the same size model. (16 1/2" ) His model isnt very accurate even with wood and the Jet is spot target on with steel .

 

[chevy302dz]

Powermatic is the best new, second would be one of the better Deltas

 

[Roospike]

When i was looking for drill presses the Jet 16 1/2" and the Delta (Model #17-900 Delta 16 1/2" ) are the same drill press except for the table , one is round and the other is square.

I went for the Jet with the round table because of my Wilton drill press slide vise and how it mounted and the Jet had a bigger hole in the center of the table so i could scrape metal shavings into and down into the catch bucket below.

 

[Aggietaco]

The Delta only goes down to 250RPM where the Jet runs as slow as 200, FYI.

 

[russlaferrera]

My only dislike with Delta is their quill stop design. It moves if there is too much pressure on the handle.

Jet's system utilizes a positive stop, that will not move unless it is reset.

 

[Hoot]

It's a little more than your budget, but Steel City supposedly makes a nice drill press. It is imported, but there are a few nice features that the other drill presses don't have. Notably, a split head casting design for the quill assembly and a six inch stroke. I ordered mine thru Tool King and it was $469. Do a search for discount codes to see if any will help you out. They do deliver by freight, and the drill press is 251 lbs (floor model only, no bench models), so figure out how you would get it off the truck if you order it. Lift gate service is additional $$$$, so I passed..... They were back ordered over Christmas, so I'm still waiting on mine. But I read several good "reviews" on various wood working forums, so I figured they're decent quality.

 

[Rockhouse]

I just bought the 16 1/5" Jet a couple of months ago at Menards. It was marked down to $269 from $369. They are closing it out and no longer carrying it. And they took a 20% off coupon from HF to boot. You might check around if you have a Menards in the area. I really like the drill press and it does go down to 200rpms like stated above.