HF 16 speed ok for infrequent use?

[Dansdad]

I have looked on Craigslist for a DP but have found nothing and am still looking. I would use it infrequently but I don't want a 5 speed as I may wish to drill steel and that's not so hot. I wouldn't mind a filthy old one but I don't want to take it to a machine shop to straighten anything. Sears also has the floor model, But I don't trust their return policy. Whadda think??

 

[Coopduc]

It kind of depends on what is the largest size holes you are likely to drill in steel. Slower is better, look for something that can run less than 300 rpm.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The problem with cheap drill presses is that they don't drill straight holes !

 

[zkling]

It is better than no drill press. Try a search on here, there have been a few drill press threads recently.

 

[Murphy4570]

My shop has a pos of a HF drill press, bench top jobbie. It holds up well enough, and makes holes straight enough for general fabrication work. Be aware that the motor that it comes with has no balls at all, and will slow down and stop in the work if you push too hard.

 

[Jawn]

I say gopherit. I snagged one from craigslist for $60 or so (the benchtop version). I've put a few holes in steel with it... just get quality bits and keep them cool.

 

[kc-steve]

I have looked on Craigslist for a DP but have found nothing and am still looking. I would use it infrequently but I don't want a 5 speed as I may wish to drill steel and that's not so hot. I wouldn't mind a filthy old one but I don't want to take it to a machine shop to straighten anything. Sears also has the floor model, But I don't trust their return policy. Whadda think??

I have learned through experience that HF tools with moving parts are less likely to be as useful as expected, if they work at all. But not always that way.

One thing I have learned here about old quality drill presses is they are solid and have very little "run out." So if you don't care about making a precision hole then maybe HF is for you.

I found an old Walker-Turner when I least expected it. I still have to refurb it though. But I'm currently using a 16-speed Grizzly made in Taiwan.

Steve

 

[nicksnothereman]

I have looked on Craigslist for a DP but have found nothing and am still looking. I would use it infrequently but I don't want a 5 speed as I may wish to drill steel and that's not so hot. I wouldn't mind a filthy old one but I don't want to take it to a machine shop to straighten anything. Sears also has the floor model, But I don't trust their return policy. Whadda think??

It's a trap!

I wouldn't spend that much on anything at harbor freight bro. But there's not a whole lot in that price bracket; there's a couple about a hundred bucks more. Maybe (since you say infrequent) you should just get a less expensive model (non 16 speed) and try to do what you can with it. Those are quite a bit cheaper (in the 100-200 buck range).

Oh and get an extended warranty!

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have a 16 HF, next to my Rockwell, Delta, and Ridgid Emerson.

I ONLY use quality drills. The HF does just fine. I'm obviously not gunsmithing with it, but for garage/house/auto projects it works. Run out is the same as all the others...not enough to worry about.

My FIL gave it to me. Had he not, I would've never got one. But I've actually tried to pick them up now at yard sales (the price has not been right for something I don't NEED).

But, before I spent full price at HF, I would definitely buy a used Delta, Rockwell, and spend the remaining coin on some good Norseman or Guhring drills, fluid, and a table vise.