I haven't inspected that press yet, but if it has poly-vee belts it would be awesome. I know some Ridgid presses use them, and they are very smooth and quiet. Quiet is a good thing when you have it running for long periods.
I Want a Drill Press...Help
- Thread starter Gore
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I haven't inspected that press yet, but if it has poly-vee belts it would be awesome. I know some Ridgid presses use them, and they are very smooth and quiet. Quiet is a good thing when you have it running for long periods.
bczygan
Well-known member
Lots of good advice here.
If you have no specific use, and don't want to be out much money, get something cheap.
I have a Black and Decker table top one, bought for very small money new. You could find similar at any store or on CL. Probably made in Taiwan.
It drills perfectly good holes. Great general purpose. Small and convenient.
Will it drill giant holes in thick steel? No.
It will do fine regular size holes in metal and even big holes in wood.
Not a giant throat dimension, but so what.
It's not a collectors item, or a cool old project.
Nothing to write home over, or crow about here on GJ.
But it will serve you well for general home use.
I have 6 drill presses, and this one still works fine.
Bill
If you have no specific use, and don't want to be out much money, get something cheap.
I have a Black and Decker table top one, bought for very small money new. You could find similar at any store or on CL. Probably made in Taiwan.
It drills perfectly good holes. Great general purpose. Small and convenient.
Will it drill giant holes in thick steel? No.
It will do fine regular size holes in metal and even big holes in wood.
Not a giant throat dimension, but so what.
It's not a collectors item, or a cool old project.
Nothing to write home over, or crow about here on GJ.
But it will serve you well for general home use.
I have 6 drill presses, and this one still works fine.
Bill
Lots of good info on here....and when I get a break in the day I will post more...but I noticed that someone mentioned a mill instead of a dp.
Coincidentally I was recently looking at mills...the HF mini mill to be more specific...and hadn't thought of buying it for my dp needs.
Any experience with it, or thoughts on whether it'd do what I need it to? That mill seems to be generally well reviewed and a rebrand of other popular mills.
At the moment, the Porter Cable seems like it would be easiest/fastest/best dp I could get for my money...and a warranty to boot.
Coincidentally I was recently looking at mills...the HF mini mill to be more specific...and hadn't thought of buying it for my dp needs.
Any experience with it, or thoughts on whether it'd do what I need it to? That mill seems to be generally well reviewed and a rebrand of other popular mills.
At the moment, the Porter Cable seems like it would be easiest/fastest/best dp I could get for my money...and a warranty to boot.
MoparTrucks
Well-known member
I bought the Porter Cable DP from Lowes a couple months ago after looking at most of the $300 or less price range DPs and I really like it. Its quiet, smooth, and at least on mine it has minimal run-out.
I am currently saving for a lathe and I will eventually have a mill but for me starting with a DP made sense and I use it all the time. I also am always looking for those old DPs that are actually mid century pieces of art and I see no reason that two or more DPs couldn't be useful.
Like anything though you can get sucked into all the goodies that go with a DP; I now want an upgraded chuck, a decent vice (I had the HF vice), an X-Y table, more t-slot hold downs, more clamps, maybe a DRO, and of course you can never have too many bits!
I am currently saving for a lathe and I will eventually have a mill but for me starting with a DP made sense and I use it all the time. I also am always looking for those old DPs that are actually mid century pieces of art and I see no reason that two or more DPs couldn't be useful.
Like anything though you can get sucked into all the goodies that go with a DP; I now want an upgraded chuck, a decent vice (I had the HF vice), an X-Y table, more t-slot hold downs, more clamps, maybe a DRO, and of course you can never have too many bits!
ez-duzit
Well-known member
Where is it made?
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
>>>> and that reminded me.. my lathe can act as a drill press with a Jacob's chuck (or a drill bit with a #2 MT on it) in the head stock and a "drill pad" in the tail stock... So a 13" SBL lathe capacity would be very similar to a 14" drill press... <<<<<
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Dennis Leigh Henry
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Jo Diesel
Well-known member
I sold my Chinese drill press and was looking for a nice heavy duty one. They were $1000+ new or used. I found this Enco mill at a local auction. It had a broken power feed and the digital readout did not work [ had a broken wire that was easily repaired]. People were bidding on the two Bridgeports that went for allmoat $2000 ea. I bought this one for $1200 with the vice, full set of collets and about 30 bits.
Yeah a drill press is such a useful tool that even a real cheap one is still a heck of a lot better than not having one at all. I was a bit limited for space and money, so I also have been making do with a cheap one like that. It still gets loads of holes drilled.
Lack of precision doesn't bother me (the run out on mine isn't all that bad), but having longer travel and more clearance would definitely be an improvement.
Have you tried cleaning the chuck and taper, and inspecting them for burrs etc (and clean both surfaces with something that leaves no residue). I've heard people say that after inspecting and cleaning up the tapers that they not only stay in place better, but the runout can be improved a lot as well!
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MikeF2316
Well-known member
Yeah a drill press is such a useful tool that even a real cheap one is still a heck of a lot better than not having one at all. I was a bit limited for space and money, so I also have been making do with a cheap one like that. It still gets loads of holes drilled.
Lack of precision doesn't bother me (the run out on mine isn't all that bad), but having longer travel and more clearance would definitely be an improvement.
Have you tried cleaning the chuck and taper, and inspecting them for burrs etc (and clean both surfaces with something that leaves no residue). I've heard people say that after inspecting and cleaning up the tapers that they not only stay in place better, but the runout can be improved a lot as well!
I did make sure it was clean and burr free the first time it came out, and just did again. Still the same. It's not bad, nothing that a decent center punch doesn't take care of.
The first tool I bought that someone told me the were envying was one I got because I liked it. If you need a drill press buy one that you can afford. If you just want one take your time and find one that impresses you. Don't care what someone like me thinks about it. Your tools just need to make your life better.
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
Just get the Porter cable drill press. If you don't like it you can take it back. I can garuntee that you won't take it back.
I looked at the mini mill and almost bought one. It is no drill press. A drill press is good to have Even if you buy a big mill. Ever seen a good machine shop that didn't have a drill press?
When it comes time to get a mill keep an eye out on places like craigslist. I picked up this one with all the tooling for $650. The owner died and the son was selling everything. I showed up to buy the fully tooled lathe for $650 and he asked me if I wanted the fully tooled mill for the same price.
Deals are out there, you just have to look.
Chris
lightning02
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i been looking for a DP for a couple of years. i think that Porter cable might be perfect for my needs. wonder why people didnt bring that one up more often. seems to be best for DIYers that dont have the opt to fine a old USA model and restore it.
now i just need to see if i can fine one around me lol
now i just need to see if i can fine one around me lol
bobdell
Active member
Not scientific, but when I was looking for a drill press, I went to all the stores - grabbed the chuck and wiggled. They all wiggled. CL found me a Craftsman with no wiggle, three pulley with link belt, bits, a rolling cabinet made to fit under the table, and a woodworking fence table. All for $150.
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
Lowe's sells them for $319. Check out all the reviews.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_78742-46069-PCB660DP_0__?productId=3162489
Chris
lightning02
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I have looked into it. It's seems very popular. Hard to find. 3 Lowe's around me and only one has one in stock is what I meant.
Wonder if Lowe's has only discounts out to use on this....
I bought a HF DP in 1998. It was the 17" floor model, green -- with the lightbulb housed up in the head. I used it as hard as any home shop guy would. It had some runout, but was manageable. Yes, I used it to mill some AL from time to time -- not real well, BTW. When my dad died, I found an old benchtop Buffalo in his shop that he never got around to restoring. I restored it (sorta), and it runs pretty good, but it weighed what seemed like 2x what my floor model weighed.
I gave away my HF to a buddy two years ago when we moved and I had to downsize out of a 1200 sf garage to a much much smaller space. It was well worn, but still serviceable. I thought I was going to just use the benchtop Buffalo, but moving that heavy-*** table up and down pissed me off so much, I found I hardly ever used the DP, but sometimes I wanted to.
So, about two months ago, I went out and bought one of the Porter Cables that get good reviews and have been referenced in this thread. OK, it's an import. To be redundant, it is not a Clausing or Powermatic or SBL. But it went together well, and is several levels above the old HF I had. I use it all the time, and I like it very much. It serves me well, and didn't leave a big dent in my pocketbook, or take time to restore, etc.
So now I have this Buffalo of my dad's that is taking up space. Sentimentally, I want it to be used and not sit on the floor. I'm in SE PA. If anyone here wants to look at it, PM me. I'll make you a really good deal on it.
I gave away my HF to a buddy two years ago when we moved and I had to downsize out of a 1200 sf garage to a much much smaller space. It was well worn, but still serviceable. I thought I was going to just use the benchtop Buffalo, but moving that heavy-*** table up and down pissed me off so much, I found I hardly ever used the DP, but sometimes I wanted to.
So, about two months ago, I went out and bought one of the Porter Cables that get good reviews and have been referenced in this thread. OK, it's an import. To be redundant, it is not a Clausing or Powermatic or SBL. But it went together well, and is several levels above the old HF I had. I use it all the time, and I like it very much. It serves me well, and didn't leave a big dent in my pocketbook, or take time to restore, etc.
So now I have this Buffalo of my dad's that is taking up space. Sentimentally, I want it to be used and not sit on the floor. I'm in SE PA. If anyone here wants to look at it, PM me. I'll make you a really good deal on it.
lightning02
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What's a good mobile DP base? Don't want one that's tippy but also don't have alot of room where it's going.
How often do you use the tailstock drill pad on your lathe? I think I tried it once or twice and realized it was too much shopsmith esque for me.
A thing with the cheaper, newer machines is that they don't always have a means to take up quill slop in the head. Typically that is the slop or wiggle you will feel when you grab the chuck and shake it. Exacerbated by fully extending the quill.
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ez-duzit
Well-known member
A mobile base would make a DP dangerously tippy, as they are extremely top-heavy.
lightning02
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I kinda don't have a choice since when it's stored I won't be able to use it in that corner. I need to push it out about 2-3ft to use it.
Any better ideas?
Make the wheels outriggers, where the base sits below the axle of the wheel. Keeps CG as low as possible to prevent tip over.
ez-duzit
Well-known member
That won't change the high CG.
Yes it does, it changes the CG of the entire assembly. It also shifts the moment about the wheels to the opposite side vs on top of the wheel or even worse over center.
Examples
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132632
http://igor.chudov.com/projects/My-...Bridgeport-Mill-Base-On-Casters-0105.jpg.html
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sberry
Banned
I rarely use one. Its usually so much faster and easier to hand drill off my vise or workbench vs changing setups for every hole and am usually done before most get it all chucked up.
lightning02
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Guess I'm going to have to male something then? All the mobile bases Iv seen are usually level with the base of the DP and hold it from the bottom instead of the top like in those pics.
nadogail
Well-known member
I suggest you watch for estate sales, if other peoples kids are like my own they have no appreciation for what things are worth, you may find a whole shop that is considered to be "the old man's junk"
I wonder how long it will take my kid to call Good Will after the funeral.
I wonder how long it will take my kid to call Good Will after the funeral.
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Before I landed my SBL drill press, all the time. I either used the pad or chucked up the item in a 4 jaw chuck if it was small enough. I also used the milling attachment that goes in the compound rest quite a bit for both drilling and milling, until I landed my SBL vertical mill.. So it was serviceable in each regard.. I used my hand drill quite a bit then too when needed remotely, back before battery drills became vogue, powerful, and reliable..
I think at this point I have all but settled on the Porter-Cable from Lowe's, but before I pull the trigger on that I will keep an eye on CL for an older Delta or something comparable.
Thanks for everyone's input, as always... it's appreciated!
Thanks for everyone's input, as always... it's appreciated!
emeraldcoupe
Well-known member
here's my 1952 atlas, I bought it off cl from the original owners son. paid $80 for it. the table tilts and has a table lift. it's original and unrestored. I was going to sell it but couldn't bring myself to get rid of it.
Alexbn921
Well-known member
I like my old delta. Knowing that I restored and tuned it makes me smile everytime I use it. Definitely not the same feeling to use a new one at work.
<a href="http://s122.photobucket.com/user/alexbn921/media/Garage/Rockwell%20Drill%20Press/20141128_164424_zpsgmixilvr.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o241/alexbn921/Garage/Rockwell%20Drill%20Press/20141128_164424_zpsgmixilvr.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141128_164424_zpsgmixilvr.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s122.photobucket.com/user/alexbn921/media/Garage/Rockwell%20Drill%20Press/20141128_164424_zpsgmixilvr.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o241/alexbn921/Garage/Rockwell%20Drill%20Press/20141128_164424_zpsgmixilvr.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141128_164424_zpsgmixilvr.jpg"/></a>
ez-duzit
Well-known member
Cool old machines.
Alexbn921
Well-known member
Awsome
66354dream
Well-known member
MikeF2316
Well-known member
Now THIS is a masterpiece
There is something nice about those old, heavy cast iron machines with the green or gray paint, isn't there? Nothing flashy, just function.
