recommend me a drill press

[T56 Impala]

Four requirements:

1. Spindle travel must be 6" or more.
2. Floor standing
3. Doesn't break the bank
4. 120v

Its going to be used mostly with wood. Maybe light metal work, but very little. Variable speed. I'd prefer one that didn't require me to move a belt manually, but thats really not that big of a deal. I don't care if its used or new. I think a really old one would be great, but I have no idea which models were good ones or would meet my 4 requirements. Some are just too big. I don't think I need a 7.5hp motor and I don't have 220v.

 

[PT Doc]

new jet 17".

why do you need so much spindle travel?

 

[T56 Impala]

I need to bore 25mm holes 5" deep. I tried it on the lathe, but didn't have much luck. And over $500 breaks the bank. I found a few on CL here but with limited descriptions. Looking them up one by one to see the specs is taking forever!

 

[Packard V8]

That 6" spindle travel is going to be the problem. No home shop DPs with which I'm familiar have that much. Is it a blind or through hole? If a through hole, can it be bored from both ends and only need 3" of quill travel?

I need to bore 25mm holes 5" deep. I tried it on the lathe, but didn't have much luck.

Are you boring into round stock? If so, the lathe is the weapon of choice. Describe the stock, the bit and the holding mechanism you tried which didn't work for you.

jack vines

 

[Davefr]

Why can't you use a 25mm aircraft drill bit and bore 3" then raise the table and complete the bore. (stock clamped to the table either horizontal or vertical)?

 

[T56 Impala]

Why can't you use a 25mm aircraft drill bit and bore 3" then raise the table and complete the bore. (stock clamped to the table either horizontal or vertical)?

This is one way I tried it. My table isn't on a gear so I have to struggle to get it into position. The stock I'm drilling is about 2"x2" square and 5" deep.

You were correct about my bit holder in the lathe being incorrect. I didn't realize it at the time and have ordered the correct parts. It will work when they get here. However, a DP sure would be faster. How about a DP that meets my requirements, without the 6" plunge, with a geared table? So I can raise it more rapidly.

Also, the 25mm bit (63/64") my get swapped out to 1" for a little wiggle room. (Among other things, I'm a set designer/prop builder. These will never be seen and are links for some connected pipe underpinnings.) I originally thought I wanted the fit to be perfect and super tight. Now I'm rethinking that decision due to time restrictions. I'm using wood because screws are easer to use on a flat wooden surface.

 

[T56 Impala]

Why can't you use a 25mm aircraft drill bit and bore 3" then raise the table and complete the bore. (stock clamped to the table either horizontal or vertical)?

I could, but I have no idea what and "aircraft" bit is!!! Gotta look that one up.

 

[retfr8flyr]

I have the Delta 18-900L and I am very happy with it. The table is great, has 6 inch spindle travel and will go slow enough for using large bits to drill in metal, one of my requirements. You have to move the belts manually for speed changes but with their setup it's no big deal. The only belt driven, that I know of, that meets your requirements is the Powermatic PM 2800. The belts move automatically with the speed lever on this model.

 

[Packard V8]

You were correct about my bit holder in the lathe being incorrect. I didn't realize it at the time and have ordered the correct parts. It will work when they get here.

"Bit holder" reads like you're boring the holes. Why not use the lathe to drill them?

Most lathe tailstocks don't have 6" of travel. Since the job is repetitive, it might be worth the effort to make up a clamp to hold the 2"x2" stock on the tool post on the carriage, hold the drill in a collet in the spindle and power feed the stock into the carbide tipped drill.

Once set up, you could knock out a finished piece every minute or so.

jack vines

 

[knobby]

If you can find a clean used one a delta 20-950 would meet your requirements
Ive had one for a few years and am very pleased with it Like most value priced DP's the chuck could use upgrading other than that no complaints

 

[IndyGarage]

new jet 17".

why do you need so much spindle travel?

No way. I've got one of those and it's junk.

 

[Davefr]

I could, but I have no idea what and "aircraft" bit is!!! Gotta look that one up.

It's just an extra long bit.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Four requirements:

1. Spindle travel must be 6" or more.
2. Floor standing
3. Doesn't break the bank
4. 120v

Its going to be used mostly with wood. Maybe light metal work, but very little. Variable speed. I'd prefer one that didn't require me to move a belt manually, but thats really not that big of a deal. I don't care if its used or new. I think a really old one would be great, but I have no idea which models were good ones or would meet my 4 requirements. Some are just too big. I don't think I need a 7.5hp motor and I don't have 220v.

In the 1960s and 1970's Rockwell made the 15" 6+6 drill press (6 speeds, 6" of quill travel). They also made the variable speed version, but I would stick with the step pulley version (quieter, simpler, lower speed for metal)

Link to pictures
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190525

 

[T56 Impala]

"Bit holder" reads like you're boring the holes. Why not use the lathe to drill them?

Most lathe tailstocks don't have 6" of travel. Since the job is repetitive, it might be worth the effort to make up a clamp to hold the 2"x2" stock on the tool post on the carriage, hold the drill in a collet in the spindle and power feed the stock into the carbide tipped drill.

Once set up, you could knock out a finished piece every minute or so.

jack vines

I have a Delta Midi lathe. Tail stock travel is just over 1 1/2 inches. Yes, it *****. Its a good little lathe for what I use it for though.

 

[Hephaestus29]

Does it have to be so accurate that you need a drill press or could you just do it with a hand held drill with a 1" spade bit. Maybe you could make yourself a jig for the hand held drill press so it would be more accurate if accuracy is what you're needing.

 

[Tronyadorable]

Sub it out................

 

[tarbellb]

I have the Steel City 17" drill press (model# 20530) and it has 6" of quill travel.
Its a OK dp, the design itself is pretty nice, but the details and qc are of Asian variety.

Perhaps you can find one of these used, as they sell new for $700+/-.

That or hunting down a nice older used dp?