Recommend an inexpensive drill press for metal work?

[ishiboo]

I'm looking for an inexpensive drill press where I can do some basic drilling in mainly steel flat stock. I don't need a floor model, but it would be an option. I'd like at least a 1/2" chuck and I'd like to run Silver & Deming bits up to about 1"… I have some 3/4" holes in up to 1/2" steel I definitely want to be able to drill, but I could definitely pop them in with a pilot bit first.

There are ZERO older, reasonably priced heavy duty drill presses on CL near me and haven't been in a while. (Other than one that looks like it was from the 1800s).

Thinking about the Porter Cable from Lowes, Masterforce from Menards (appears the same as WEN), tabletop HF with decent reviews, etc. It won't get much use.

 

[yaidunno]

Contact Matt at RIMCO in Milwaukee. He has 58 drill presses in stock, plenty of nice Delta 17s. It will be worth your drive. (609) 658-3160

You'll want 3/4-1 HP for the drilling your describing. A rigid setup and machine will make your life alot easier.

 

[cburnscrx]

Contact Matt at RIMCO in Milwaukee. He has 58 drill presses in stock, plenty of nice Delta 17s. It will be worth your drive. (609) 658-3160

You'll want 3/4-1 HP for the drilling your describing. A rigid setup and machine will make your life alot easier.

That just sounds expensive...

 

[A_Pmech]

Ishiboo,

A big box store drill press is at it's limit making a 1/2" hole in mild steel. 1" will require something a lot more substantial.

 

[Alex in Canada]

An old Walker Turner? It will definitely be a lot better than the ones you listed, and a lot cheaper than a new one. If you keep searching you will find one within driving distance. And, you will probably be able to pass it down to your kids one day

 

[zkling]

Just a reality check, driving 1" twist bits on a semi regular basis with a drill press from Lowes, HD, Menard, HF or the like really ain't going to happen. *

Even an old 17" delta ain't going to be happy running 1" twist bits. You really need to be looking at a 20" machine with a good size table and clamping features. Don't overlook those "1800s" drill presses, they are extremely space inefficient, but they do excel at spinning large bits.

*Maybe if you get a special order, but not something from in the store.

 

[yaidunno]

That just sounds expensive...

In what regard? I'd be willing to bet $4-500 could get one out of his shop. His prices are very reasonable.

If you've got any other suggestions for drilling up to 1" holes cost effectively, I'm all ears. I think what the OP will come to terms with is that drilling that large of a hole takes a large machine, and those don't come cheap.

 

[Aberdale]

There are ZERO older, reasonably priced heavy duty drill presses on CL near me and haven't been in a while. (Other than one that looks like it was from the 1800s).

I'm not sure how large your search area is on CL, (whether you're only looking in Oshkosh, or whether you are looking at other locations), but I would definitely consider used even if I had to drive a bit to get it.

Two of my four drill presses came from CL. I travelled 80 miles for a nice old 1940s floor model Cman that I paid $60 for. I also bought a 21" Buffalo camel back from the early 1900s which is a beast. I travelled 150 miles and paid $100 for it. The value was well worth the drive.

And don't underestimate those old 1800s drill presses. I prefer my old Buffalo for drilling any hole larger than 1/2" because of the slower speed settings and the table is rock solid.

'dale

 

[zkling]

In what regard? I'd be willing to bet $4-500 could get one out of his shop. His prices are very reasonable.

If you've got any other suggestions for drilling up to 1" holes cost effectively, I'm all ears. I think what the OP will come to terms with is that drilling that large of a hole takes a large machine, and those don't come cheap.

Hand brace and a few cans of spinach.

 

[yaidunno]

Hand brace and a few cans of spinach.

That'l do.

 

[paranoid56]

how cheap? i have done all that on a table top harbor freight cheap one. its not the best but i can do it.

 

[ishiboo]

I'm surprised as I regularly drill 1/2" in steel with my big cordless drill, so I thought a $400-500 drill press could do 3/4-1".

I don't have a set budget per se, but at a certain point I am probably far better off getting a mill/drill machine than a humongous drill press, right? I literally will do like 3 dozen holes a year, most being smaller… just need the occasional 3/4" but I want to be able to do a 1" if necessary, so I figured the smaller machines could do it in a pinch.

 

[rslaback]

In what regard? I'd be willing to bet $4-500 could get one out of his shop. His prices are very reasonable.

If you've got any other suggestions for drilling up to 1" holes cost effectively, I'm all ears. I think what the OP will come to terms with is that drilling that large of a hole takes a large machine, and those don't come cheap.

7/8 or 15/16 hole saw followed by a 1" twist.

 

[Steinmetz]

I'm looking for an inexpensive drill press where I can do some basic drilling in mainly steel flat stock. I don't need a floor model, but it would be an option. I'd like at least a 1/2" chuck and I'd like to run Silver & Deming bits up to about 1"… I have some 3/4" holes in up to 1/2" steel I definitely want to be able to drill, but I could definitely pop them in with a pilot bit first.

There are ZERO older, reasonably priced heavy duty drill presses on CL near me and haven't been in a while. (Other than one that looks like it was from the 1800s).

Thinking about the Porter Cable from Lowes, Masterforce from Menards (appears the same as WEN), tabletop HF with decent reviews, etc. It won't get much use.

For one-inch holes in steel, think slow speed, and Morse taper no. 2 compatibility, not silver and deming.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have cut holes in 1/4 plate with this. It's variable speed and a cheap way to get a new drill press. I have some larger chucks I can use with it. It gives enough speed and torque with the right bits. I use cutting oil when drilling thick stuff but it works.

 

[schor]

I picked up an old atlas drill press for $60, restored it and then built a pulley block to add extra speeds, this press can now get down to ~100rpm and I've done 1" holes with it as well as 3" holes with a bi-metal hole saw.

Here's a quick vid.

 

[EdT]

The biggest issue regardless of whether you buy new or used, cheap or expensive, domestic or foreign will be whether the machine turns slowly enough to run a big bit w/o melting something. Also slower usually means that more torque is available (from a given motor) which helps if you're making big holes. More torque also means that the whole machine needs to be stiffer and the need for clamping things down increases. Wisconsin is in or near the rust belt. There should be lots of used stuff around, but you may have to drive to get it.

 

[toolmaniac]

I have had very good luck with bi-metal hole saws, at the lowest RPM setting (200-300 RPM), with cutting oil. I regularly drill 3/4 to 1 inch holes to stock up to 1/2 inch thick, without any issues, on my Chinese tabletop drill press. I found that slow RPMs, slow feed, and lube is the key.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

If you are only doing a few holes a year how about a mag drill? Is 1/2" thick enough to get a mag drill to stick to?

 

[exmaxima1]

An old Walker Turner? It will definitely be a lot better than the ones you listed, and a lot cheaper than a new one. If you keep searching you will find one within driving distance. And, you will probably be able to pass it down to your kids one day

There is a walker-turner drill press nearby in Hartland on CL. I am not a fan of those, but they are indeed a good value.