Recommendation for Older Floor Standing Drill Press

[hobby_guy]

Recommendation for Older Floor Standing Drill Press?

Looking for an older (but not too old) American made floor-standing drill press. (Right now, just have a crappy Craftsman small (10") bench drill press.) Thinking 1 hp, 110 V, 17" - ish with built-in light. How about the older Rockwell drill presses?

 

[Lennyzx11]

Re: Recommendation for Older Floor Standing Drill Press?

I have a Jet like you describe. It’s at least 30 years old but not in the “antique” era.

A lot of them were made by same company and rebadged to such and such company back then.

It’s been a good one. Used for metal or wood fairly regularly.
Come to think on it, still on original belt and light bulb.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[matt_i]

The "20 inch" drill press is a pretty nice machine. Maybe more HP than you want. Powermatic, Clausing and Rockwell made them as far as I know plus many knockoffs as well.

I believe all of those players also make a "15 inch" drill press as well.

 

[Firebrick43]

What are you wanting to do? A 14” delta Rockwell is a wonderful machine for woodworking and light steel/non ferrous metals due to its quill design and how it can account for wear but I would not want one for drilling big holes in 1/4” plus steel.

 

[lafester]

I'm working on a 17" Rockwell right now. The 3 1/2 inch column and huge base make it a good compromise between the 15 and 20 inch machines. I have a PM 1150a as well and it is also a great option. I think the 15 inch Clausing is another fine choice along with the Wilton/Dayton model. I believe all of these have 6 inches travel except for the Rockwell that has 5.

The Rockwell 15 not quite as nice but plenty good for a homeowner. These are also much harder to find with a table lift.