Is a Radial Arm Drill Press still useful?

[Strouty]

I have been looking at a few drill presses, found some cheap, but huge ones, then some reasonable, but smaller ones. Just trying to figure if they are useful enough to justify the space? I am talking about metal working ones, not the smaller wood working type. The smallest so far takes up about 6' by 3' of floor space.

 

[davethorik]

Do you drill a lot of 2"+ holes in metal?

 

[dr_clyde]

I find the radial drill very useful for certain applications, but they're kind of unwieldy for smaller drilling, like anything under an inch.

I like them for drilling large holes, driving big taps, reamers, etc. Trepanning big holes in sheet metal is a useful feature as well. Obviously the ability to position over large or odd objects is a cool feature.

I don't have one currently, but when I get some more shop space I'll probably get one. I use my buddy's, he has 2.

A 20" gear head drill is much more useful as a general drill press in a small shop.

 

[BFBOB]

I have a small Rockwell/Delta radial intended for woodworking. The price was right. I put a reducing pulley on it, and it does pretty well in steel up to half an inch. Doesn't really take up much floor space, and it is quite versatile. I don't use the extra reach often, but it sure is a buttsaver at times! I haven't used the angle drilling capability yet - so far it's easier to brace the workpiece at an angle.

 

[Strouty]

I do drill bigger holes, but not usually 2", I will say that is more because I don't have a drill that will easily drill 2" holes. I currently have a monstrous gang drill press and I want it gone, it doesn't do what I want and is wasting space.

 

[BuffettFan]

Here to second the opinions that they're great for larger holes in larger parts.
Definitely more useful than the gang drill.

 

[larry_g]

Yes, if your doing the kind of fabrication that can utilize the size. Be aware that the big drill bits can be spendy. They also go hand in hand with an OH crane to load the parts. Part of the reason that I have gone to making models with smaller parts.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Strouty]

I can set it up so that the forklift can load parts. Long term I will be installing a bridge crane that will cover most of the shop floor.

 

[Strouty]

These are the two candidates so far.

 

[jabberwoki]

Show pics of the gang press pls.

I like the 2nd one.

 

[Strouty]

Gang press, two heads removed.




Original configuration

 

[deberly12]

We had one in a shop I used to use that was huge! It had about 3 feet of throat. It would drill anything.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Strouty]

I found one that would be perfect, except it has been stored outside under a tarp, I am still going to look at it, but the price they are asking is scary. The thing that could save it is that the machine comes with tooling, multiple tables, and all the manuals.

 

[Strouty]

The perfect one was sold, now that I have seen what perfect looks like, I am going to hold off on the radial arm drill press for now. At least I know what I would like to have now. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[cbacres]

Nice Powermatic press.

 

[Strouty]

Thanks CB, I re-wired that one not too long ago. With the proper motor it will turn 4800 RPMs.