Good Large/budget Drill Press

[TTMotorsports]

I have since sold my nice Tree Vertical mill due to space and needing a forklift to move it along with the rotary phase converter since no 3 phase power at my old house/shop. I am used to using that to mainly drill holes because I could slow it down to the right speed and apply more pressure than necessary to drill out the holes. I am looking for a drill press now that I can slow down enough to drill 3/4" holes in steel efficiantly. Most drill presses I find the slowest speed is still too fast for 1/2" drill bits. So looking for a new drill press that I can drill holes with more easily and at correct speeds for drill bits larger than 1/2"
I have been looking on craigslist and found a few but the sells don't know the speeds so I don't know if they are any good.

 

[rsanter]

I have a delta with a 3ph motor (but has a VFD) so can run on 1ph and be speed adjustable.
It also has the variable speed reeves drive

 

[matt_i]

The drill you want is probably an Avey, Edlund, Fosdick, Alzmetall or Buffalo that you don't find on every street corner. But they aren't things you wrangle into the bed of a pickup truck either. Something about needing more structure to drill that large without chatter.

Even a "nice" 20inch drill press like a Clausing can only go down to 300 rpms and that's too fast in my book for drilling 3/4" holes. I have a VFD on my DP but it lacks power and the motor cooling is suspect below around 30Hz, but I would choose the mill 100 times out of 100 for a 3/4" hole.

The back-gear of a knee mill is perfect for this application, you already know that, you can move those with a pallet jack and a drop trailer if you play your cards right. I moved mine with a 3 ton engine hoist before getting forklifts along the way.

 

[dr_clyde]

You want a gear head press. I have a Solberga that is rated to 1” twist drills? in steel. I absolutely love it.

8 speeds, I believe the slowest is 150 rpm. Reversible spindle for power tapping.

 

[Davefr]

I have a delta with a 3ph motor (but has a VFD) so can run on 1ph and be speed adjustable.
It also has the variable speed reeves drive

Agree, just set the pulleys at the lowest speed setting and dial down the VFD and you can get down to two digit RPM. If the motor is decent size you'll also have plenty of torque.

 

[bob15]

Not sure how many holes are needed or the size of the material you are drilling, but how about using a mag drill? You could even mount/bolt a steel plate down for the drill and use it as a drill press.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Good, large, budget.... pick two.

 

[tarbellb]

Good, large, budget.... pick two.

Ha, truth.


If new, Grizzly has a couple plus Nova line which I have no personal exp with.

Nova 18" w/ 50rpm + 1.75hp gearhead
https://www.grizzly.com/products/teknatool-18-nova-voyager-dvr-variable-speed-drill-press/t30589

or Grizzly G0779
https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-23-3-8-heavy-duty-floor-model-gearhead-drill-press/g0779

 

[TTMotorsports]

I found a drill press used on craigslist that is a good size and has 2 sets of pulleys and will go the RPM in photo. Is that good for steel in say 1/4" thickness?

Also is this good for drill bit RPM or anyone have a link to better one I can print to keep with the drill press.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...t_Update.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3Q3iKPGruMuT-_WKONreDJ

 

[TTMotorsports]

Rpm chart

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[TTMotorsports]

ALso has anyone used a VFD on a mag drill to slow down the speed?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086FMLQXY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[TTMotorsports]

Also what do you think this Parker Precision Drill Press is worth???

 

[TailGunner3000]

The Parker is a pretty standard asian import. They make those badged to many different companies. I have two - one Ridgid, one Jet. The are decent wood drilling machines, but average on metal. I don't know your market, but I paid less than $25.00 each, albeit at auctions.

If you come across a Walker-Turner, I'd highly recommend you buy it if the price is right. It's my go to drill press. Superior even to my Delta and Atlas.

 

[Davefr]

Also what do you think this Parker Precision Drill Press is worth???

About $150 IMHO. Those early Taiwan machines were decent. Table lift, wide speed range, TEFC motors, decent quality, etc. The came in a gazillion different brand names.

 

[lilredex]

I have one of those early eighties Packard look-a-likes. It is dressed up as a HF #38142. I got mine for $40, but it needed a motor. Recommended highly!

 

[tarbellb]

ALso has anyone used a VFD on a mag drill to slow down the speed?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086FMLQXY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Why would you want to slow down a mag drill?

They are designed to drill large diameter holes in metal.
----

As for the linked dp, its a decent Taiwan import that is better then its modern day counterpart.

 

[lis2323]

Why would you want to slow down a mag drill?

.

I am wondering also.


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[lis2323]

Gear head unit as mentioned is a good option.





and a good set of twist drills...



and (or) a 3/4” Weldon shank adapter and annular cutters.


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[TTMotorsports]

About $150 IMHO. Those early Taiwan machines were decent. Table lift, wide speed range, TEFC motors, decent quality, etc. The came in a gazillion different brand names.

Yeah they want $375. Not going to spend that much

Also I saw mag drill were fixed rpm and with most twist drills 650 rpm is too high and I don't want to spend a bunch on annular cutters either.

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[TTMotorsports]

Gear head unit as mentioned is a good option.





and a good set of twist drills...



and (or) a 3/4” Weldon shank adapter and annular cutters.


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Gear head sounds good to me but I haven't seen any used ones for sale and new are pricey. Would rather buy a used mill for the $2k they cost nee

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[jh87]

I have the harbor freight 20” production drill press. It goes down to 180 rpm. It also has a large t-slot table which is great for me because I do a lot of repeat work in jigs. I’ve used up to a 1” twist drill in it without issue. Mostly I do 1/2” holes. I’ve also used larger hole saws. This is all in steel btw. The only issue I’ve had is that you really need to crank down the nut on the spindle pulley as it only relies on a taper to hold it together.

 

[TTMotorsports]

I have the harbor freight 20” production drill press. It goes down to 180 rpm. It also has a large t-slot table which is great for me because I do a lot of repeat work in jigs. I’ve used up to a 1” twist drill in it without issue. Mostly I do 1/2” holes. I’ve also used larger hole saws. This is all in steel btw. The only issue I’ve had is that you really need to crank down the nut on the spindle pulley as it only relies on a taper to hold it together.

I found one of these used and will bring some steel and a couple bits to test it out.

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[jmarkwolf]

I found this Wilton 20in drill press, on Craigslist, 5 minutes from my house, for $100, including a vise. The only issue was the belt tensioning device had become disengaged. Easy fix.

There were no drill hits in the table nor the vise. I'm still tickled to have found such a deal.

Jet sells this model now for $1500.

I've since cleaned up the column and replaced a belt. Works great.

 

[seber]

That's a you **** deal for sure.

 

[lis2323]

Yeah they want $375. Not going to spend that much

Also I saw mag drill were fixed rpm and with most twist drills 650 rpm is too high and I don't want to spend a bunch on annular cutters either.

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I think you need to borrow or rent a mag drill to use for a day. This will be a good cheap way to understand operation and the limitations this tool will provide for you.

From the conversation you need to stick to looking for a good drill press.


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