Help picking drill press

[nevercouldfigureitout]

I'm up in the air about what is the most bang for the buck in drill presses for my garage. It's just my personal garage & I'd like to stay under $500 but the better the deal or cheaper I'd be happy. Any suggestions on what to get or stay away from? Just from some skimming through the net most of the 200-300 range seem to peak my interest most but I really don't know enough to make a good informed decision. Input is much appreciated

 

[Shadowdog500]

I just went through the same hunt and wound up with the porter cable drill press for $319 from Lowes. I love the thing. It has a 4" stroke, and had 0.0002" of runout when measured in the morse taper in the quill.

Before deciding on that I drill press I looked at everything HF had and even owned a new crafstman drill press for a day. When I turned the crafstman drill press on the first time it vibrated all over the place.

Here is a video I made of the first hole I drilled with my new porter cable drill press.

It was a #58 bit (which was the smallest in my index). Note how quiet and smooth the press is. I love this drill press!!

There are more than a few reviews of this drillpress on youtube. Here is a 24 minute review that seems pretty thorough.

Chris

 

[nevercouldfigureitout]

I'd been leaning towards the 12 in craftsman, I first wanted the porter cable but don't know where to buy them now. I used to see them at lowes an now I can't find any porter cable stuff there. That does seem super smooth Shadowdog! Where'd did you get yours?

 

[Shadowdog500]

I'd been leaning towards the 12 in craftsman, I first wanted the porter cable but don't know where to buy them now. I used to see them at lowes an now I can't find any porter cable stuff there. That does seem super smooth Shadowdog! Where'd did you get yours?

I bought mine at my local lowes.

I noticed some lowes by me have it while other don't. Thier website will tell you which stores have it, Lowes online can also ship one to your store for free if you want.

I had the sears 12" bench top model on my bench for about an hour or two before taking it back. Nice thing is that you can take almost anything back if you don't like it.

Chris

 

[exmaxima1]

I'm up in the air about what is the most bang for the buck in drill presses for my garage. It's just my personal garage & I'd like to stay under $500 but the better the deal or cheaper I'd be happy.

Drill presses depreciate quickly, so buy USED. I would look for an older US model if possible, such as Delta/Rockwell/Atlas/Clausing/Powermatic. If nothing available, look for >20 years old Taiwanese-made 5/8" chuck models----they tend to be very well made and run smooth.

Key features should be a table lift, at least 4-inches quill travel, enclosed >1/2hp motor (preferable), and minimum speed of 300 rpm or less. A light would be cool, as well as a decent belt guard as you will be opening it often.

My favorites are the 60's-70's Rockwell for your budget. If you are extremely lucky you might get a Clausing for that price. If you don't mind doing some refurbishing, the 40's-50's era Atlas and Craftsman are awesome!

Good Luck!

 

[sailah]

^^^^^^

I paid $250 for my powermatic 1200. With the VFD I'm under your budget and have a lifetime drill press made in the USA that can drill a hole in just about anything. Big production table with t slots, head goes up and down, table goes up and down, variable speed, jog function, reverse, MT3 spindle, real 1HP baldor motor etc.

Drill presses are best bought used, the older the better. I usually take a mag base indicator and sweep the spindle to check for runout, have a good listen to the bearings and make sure the quill works smoothly.

I've seen the best of the new Taiwan presses and there really isn't any comparison. But buying used isn't as easy as swiping a credit card

 

[FloydShine]

Delta bench top model.

 

[bluesboy]

I also went with the Porter cable from Lowes. Asked to match the HF 20% coupon. Manager wouldn't go for it but offered 10% off. Got him to an even $285.00.was $309.00 after tax. Very happy with it. Building a dolly with casters for it right now.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

Drill presses depreciate quickly, so buy USED. I would look for an older US model if possible, such as Delta/Rockwell/Atlas/Clausing/Powermatic. If nothing available, look for >20 years old Taiwanese-made 5/8" chuck models----they tend to be very well made and run smooth.

Key features should be a table lift, at least 4-inches quill travel, enclosed >1/2hp motor (preferable), and minimum speed of 300 rpm or less. A light would be cool, as well as a decent belt guard as you will be opening it often.

My favorites are the 60's-70's Rockwell for your budget. If you are extremely lucky you might get a Clausing for that price. If you don't mind doing some refurbishing, the 40's-50's era Atlas and Craftsman are awesome!

Good Luck!

And those mentioned of those years will have a better chance of having the 2 things required for a DP being in my shop. Those 2 features are 1) an adjustable depth stop and 2) a quill lock. The new presses don't have those features anymore, which once was real common, until maybe we get up into the $1,500 - 2,000 price range and them possibly not all.

 

[63spyder]

I can't imagine using a drill without a depth stop, use mine all the time. Quil lock not as much but once and a while.

 

[Shadowdog500]

And those mentioned of those years will have a better chance of having the 2 things required for a DP being in my shop. Those 2 features are 1) an adjustable depth stop and 2) a quill lock. The new presses don't have those features anymore, which once was real common, until maybe we get up into the $1,500 - 2,000 price range and them possibly not all.

I can't imagine using a drill without a depth stop, use mine all the time. Quil lock not as much but once and a while.

The $319 porter cable has a screw type of adjustable depth stop that is the same principle as the one on most mills. It also has a bottom screw so you can lock the quill in any position by binding the upper and lower stop nuts.

I've also used it as an upper and lower limit on the quill so I don't have to adjust the table or use as much of the 4" feed when changing the drill to a different length one when I don't want to move the part in relation to the quill.


Chris

 

[Ray916MN]

Anyone have any thoughts about this one?

Grizzly G7943

 

[Sh40674]

Picked this up off craigslist brand new for 100 bucks... Couldn't pass it up
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...p-13-floor-standing-drill-press/p-1498046.htm

 

[Fizbin]

I just went through the same hunt and wound up with the porter cable drill press.

Yep, me too. It's the best bang for the buck for a low to mid-range drill press. I needed something that would handle wood, plastic and metal and this machine has had no problem with any material I've run through it so far.

I did have to return the first one I bought, due to a faulty quill, but those kind of things happen from time to time and you have to expect that. The one I exchanged it for works great and I'm very happy with it.