hello - teach me about drill presses

[ydna]

Teach me about dril presses. I would like to pick up a used one but I have no idea what I'm looking for or why one would be $100 and another $500.

Tinkering in the garage usually means automotive work for me. I could see me drilling 3/16 plates from time to time (I would like to be able to fabricate some things) and drilling out old fasteners, that kind of thing.

Any thoughts on what I should be looking for. There are a lot for sale use here. Prices / hp / gears / age vary though.

Any info appreciated.

 

[darkk]

Scour the Craigslist adds for a good used older American made drill press. 1/2 HP or more is minimum. Maybe 9" to 17" size depending on what you are going to use it for. You can find bench top units if you lack floor space for$40 and up. $50 to $100 avg price for most drill presses bench model as well as floor models. Look for name brand like Walker Turner, Delta, Craftsman, Rockwell, etc. Just make sure it's in good shape. you don't want a project if your looking for a working DP. Run the head all the way down and make sure there is little to no play. Check the chuck opens and closes all they way. Turn it on, some noise is expected, nothing obnoxious, especially on older stuff. the Delta or Craftsman may be the easiest to find. Pawn shops generally have some decent DP's. Just don't buy any *China,Japan,Taiwan **** and you should be good.

 

[PT Doc]

Just as a side note, most Asian made presses use the sam castings. Those press with 1/2 hp will drill 5/8” holes in mild steel all day so don't discount them.

 

[Outlawmws]

the primary issue with older US iron for your purpose is most are wood workers drills. What's the difference? A wood workers DP only has 4-5 speeds and won't go slow enough for much metal work.

The more versatile DPs that can do either metal or wood have an intermediate pulley cluster and will have 12-16 speeds typically.

then there are the "infinitely variable" speed DP's

The issue is not unsurmountable for the wood DP's and you can add an intermediate pulley set, or switch the thing over to a variable treadmill motor. just remember when you buy one that you will need to address that.

 

[darkk]

the primary issue with older US iron for your purpose is most are wood workers drills. What's the difference? A wood workers DP only has 4-5 speeds and won't go slow enough for much metal work.

The more versatile DPs that can do either metal or wood have an intermediate pulley cluster and will have 12-16 speeds typically.

then there are the "infinitely variable" speed DP's

The issue is not unsurmountable for the wood DP's and you can add an intermediate pulley set, or switch the thing over to a variable treadmill motor. just remember when you buy one that you will need to address that.

Hmmmm....I have an older 17 1/2" floor model 17-900 Delta with 12 speeds from 3000 rpm for like 1/16" all the way to 5/8" hard steel at 250 rpm. And I paid $100 for it. They are out there and plentiful.

 

[Outlawmws]

It depends on where you live how "plentiful" the better DP's with more speeds are. Where I live they are few and far between. In the rust belt up throgh PA, a lot more common...

 

[EOC_Jason]

Things to compares:

1. Motor (HP)
2. Speeds (how many available and actual RPM)
3. Chuck Size
4. Table vs Floor stand
5. Accessories (i.e. including vises or tooling)
6. Condition (hardly used or worn out)

 

[ydna]

Thanks for all the responses. Primary use would be in metal, so it sounds like speeds are important. That said, sounds like 1/2 hp is plenty. Cant see me working with holes larger than 5/8".

 

[Davefr]

the primary issue with older US iron for your purpose is most are wood workers drills. What's the difference? A wood workers DP only has 4-5 speeds and won't go slow enough for much metal work.

There's another issue. Most of these old drill presses lack a table elevation rack and pinion system. Without this feature adjusting the table height becomes a royal PIA.

They also often lack table calibration adjustments.

 

[Burgerkong]

Get one with a support right underneath the table, prevents bending of the table right at the column and reduces deflection.

 

[PT Doc]

Get one with a support right underneath the table, prevents bending of the table right at the column and reduces deflection.

Do you have a photo of this support?

 

[ydna]

I have found one with adjustable stops for travel and 4 speeds, slowest is 560rpm. 1/2 chuck, 1/2 HP. Looks old but seller states good cond.

i have asked where it was made and what brand it is. Might try to buy it if it looks solid enough.

Is the 560 rpm slow enough for say 1/2" holes in 1/4 plate? (mild steel)

 

[EOC_Jason]

Probably a little on the high side but yeah, anything around ~500 RPM will do unless you are going to drill really thick and hard material (or really big holes)... If you can't find anything with more / lower speeds then go for it!

 

[Outlawmws]

A bit on the high side for steel:

 

[RV77]

when they say its a 14" or 17" where do they get this measurement from ?

 

[Outlawmws]

when they say its a 14" or 17" where do they get this measurement from ?

That is one of the oddest specs a DP has:

Its the distance from the center of the quill (chuck) to the post, X2 (so that is the largest diameter you can drill to the center of...)

 

[RV77]

That is one of the oddest specs a DP has:

Its the distance from the center of the quill (chuck) to the post, X2 (so that is the largest diameter you can drill to the center of...)

Thanks Outlaw for clearing that up

 

[Medicken]

I have a late 70's Powermatic 1150A. It is a great press, at least for my needs. Most of my work is with wood but when I want to drill in steel, no problem at all. Also, do not discount a 3phase machine. You can get a VFD for under $150 and have variable speed. It sure beats the heck out of having to change the belt on step pulleys. The VFD can be used with 115V single phase input and 220V 3ph out. They are great on drill presses and lathes.

 

[KaiserM715]

I have a late 70's Powermatic 1150A. It is a great press, at least for my needs. Most of my work is with wood but when I want to drill in steel, no problem at all. Also, do not discount a 3phase machine. You can get a VFD for under $150 and have variable speed. It sure beats the heck out of having to change the belt on step pulleys. The VFD can be used with 115V single phase input and 220V 3ph out. They are great on drill presses and lathes.

I am looking at a 1150. Where did you get your VFD and which one did you get?

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

That is one of the oddest specs a DP has:

Its the distance from the center of the quill (chuck) to the post, X2 (so that is the largest diameter you can drill to the center of...)

Not odd at all, the size identifies the largest work you can do on the machine, no different than measuring a lathe by swing & distance between centers.

 

[Outlawmws]

Not odd at all, the size identifies the largest work you can do on the machine, no different than measuring a lathe by swing & distance between centers.

A lathe defines the largest practical part you can swing, so that makes some sense. (although I think in Merry Old England, they measure the radius)

With a DP I can put a part of any size on it. What matters is the furthest reach I can make which is NOT 2X the quill to post distance. Apples and oranges...

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Hmmmm....I have an older 17 1/2" floor model 17-900 Delta with 12 speeds from 3000 rpm for like 1/16" all the way to 5/8" hard steel at 250 rpm. And I paid $100 for it. They are out there and plentiful.

I have That one Too

 

[Rust]

Teach me about dril presses. I would like to pick up a used one but I have no idea what I'm looking for or why one would be $100 and another $500.

Tinkering in the garage usually means automotive work for me. I could see me drilling 3/16 plates from time to time (I would like to be able to fabricate some things) and drilling out old fasteners, that kind of thing.

Any thoughts on what I should be looking for. There are a lot for sale use here. Prices / hp / gears / age vary though.

Any info appreciated.

Get a hand held drill and save yourself cash and time. You dont need a press.

 

[PT Doc]

Get a hand held drill and save yourself cash and time. You dont need a press.

While a hand drill is handy, I would have a hard time without a drill press. Specifically for drilling clean holes in steel and not toasting bits.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Drill press is the only way to go.