Need help on drill press

[Carquest]

Can I get some basic info on floor model drill press, will mostly be used for metal. I really don't want to have to move belts to change speeds. The one I am looking at now is https://www.grizzly.com/products/Heavy-Duty-Floor-Model-Gearhead-Drill-Press/G0779

Is an R8 taper chuck a good type to have?

 

[Ecosta777]

seems rather odd to have an R8 collet on a drill press... They are used in milling machines. Usually a drill press will have a Morse taper. Nothing wrong with having the R8, just seems unusual to me. Personally I want nothing to do with those Grizzly machines, learned my lesson the hard way. Looks to be an OK machine though for larger diameter holes at least, I would be wary though, its possible they are using plastic gears in the head, which may strip out when drilling larger holes in metal

 

[tarbellb]

My brother just bought that Grizzly, it is a BEAST. Direct drive I doubt they are using any plastic in there.

If you want RPM's on the fly, consider the Nova Voyager. Also direct drive, but a bit more user friendly.

https://www.teknatool.com/product/nova-voyager-dvr-drill-press/

 

[Packard V8]

Define your use. How many holes how deep in what diameter how precisely located in what metal? Do you need a production table? Plate, angle, bar, rod, all make a difference in the hold-downs required. What is your budget?

jack vines

 

[Carquest]

Non production, will mount a drill press vise on the table. Would like the capability of drilling up to at least 1 inch holes in steel. Want to cover as many potential uses as i can for $1500 dollars or so.

 

[shawhite]

1in hole in steel and you don’t want to mess with belts to change speeds. In the $1500 range you will be limited to imports such as the grizzly or rung-fu. Might want to keep an eye on the used market for a Clausing 20 or Arboga.

 

[ez-duzit]

$2,000 for an imported drill press?!!! It's great fun to blow a large wad of cash, especially for something you just know you have to have (a gearhead, where everyone else gets by with belts).

 

[tarbellb]

1" hole in steel is a very high demand job. That being said, I have done plenty with my 17" usa Delta DP using hole saws and step bits.

Unless you are doing that on the regular I think you will be fine with either a higher end belt DP going slow---- < 200rpms OR a lighter duty geared head like I linked earlier.

 

[larry_g]

What grizzley is doing is taking a mill/drill head and putting it on a drill press column and table. Thus the R-8 taper. Should make for a good machine until the chuck slips in the taper when using a 1.5" drill bit. An R-8 to Morse adapter could be used, but is the OP willing to bucks up for some MT taper bits?

lg
no enat sig line

 

[Carquest]

$2,000 for an imported drill press?!!! It's great fun to blow a large wad of cash, especially for something you just know you have to have (a gearhead, where everyone else gets by with belts).

Kinda harsh there bud. Obviously i'm not the only one considering spending that much on an import drill press, otherwise they would not be selling them.
And, I don't consider it "blowing a large wad of cash" if it gets me what I want. I firmly believe in buying the absolute best that I can afford. "Buy once, cry once". Sorry if that offends you in some way

 

[ez-duzit]

If Grizzly is the best you can afford, go for it. But $2,000 would buy you a nice milling machine.

 

[Carquest]

How about if we change direction a bit. Can I buy a high quality belt driven press , preferably new, in the neighborhood of $1000?

 

[ez-duzit]

This Delta seems to get good reviews. Has good rpm range. Still, I'd try to find a clean, used machine for less. Though I bought my excellent Delta DP new in the '80's.
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/delta-18-900l-laser-drill-press#specs

Two of my drill presses are in the background. The one on the right is a heavy duty Delta I bought used, an import. The one on the left is the quality machine I bought new.

 

[6PTsocket]

This Delta seems to get good reviews. Has good rpm range. Still, I'd try to find a clean, used machine for less. Though I bought my excellent Delta DP new in the '80's.
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/delta-18-900l-laser-drill-press#specs

Two of my drill presses are in the background. The one on the right is a heavy duty Delta I bought used, an import. The one on the left is the quality machine I bought new.

I am leery of today's Delta. SB&D sold the company to a Taiwan outfit, Chang Type, Intl. They moved operstions from Tenn. to their new plant in SC. My dealer, who sells Delta told me to steer clear. They have spare parts issues. They have not been doing well and who knows if they will be around long.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[tarbellb]

How about if we change direction a bit. Can I buy a high quality belt driven press , preferably new, in the neighborhood of $1000?

Simple answer, no.

I believe the only USA made 15"-20" drill press currently is Ellis. There maybe a few others, and they all are $2000+.

That Grizzly is a very nice Taiwan made unit, capable of serious work. The Nova is more user friendly.

Post your city Carquest, there are some serious deal hunters that will look on CL (for free!).

 

[ez-duzit]

...My dealer, who sells Delta told me to steer clear. They have spare parts issues. They have not been doing well and who knows if they will be around long...

Steer clear because of spare parts issues? Come on! In over 30 years of ownership I have never replaced even 1 part on my drill press. As far as how long they'll be around, BS, they've been around since before you were born.

Edit to add this link to another thread. Scroll down to post #11.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=396518