Standard or Production type drill press?

[shamrock12]

If you were given the choice of a standard type, smaller tilting work surface or a production type, larger fixed work surface on a floor drill press, which one would you pick?

I am not even sure why some drill presses are offered with tilting surface. I don't think I ever have had an instance where I would need to drill something at an angle ... it always has been straight drill through at 90 degrees. To me, it seems that if you drill something at an angle and as you start to apply feed pressure, the bit, if not short and rigid, would probably deflect sideway?

 

[A_Pmech]

Knee-type production table, without a doubt.

The tilting table column drills are usually very light and the table flexes under drill thrust.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I prefer a floor mount drill press with a built in light and a morse taper. I also prefer a tilt table. Only tilted it a few times over the years, but why give up that functionality if I don't have to. It probably isn't worth the floor space it takes up, but I'd love to get a big camelback drill press like Keith Fenner.

Chris

 

[shamrock12]

A Pmech - Knee-type production table? It sounds like you are referring to vertical mill? Or does that terminology meant a rigid work surface?

Shadowdog500 - What did you use the tilt feature for? I can't think of something that would require drilling at an angle and if you do that, you would need a fairly short and rigid drill bit, right?

Also you asked why someone would give up that functionality ... I am fairly sure that production type (fixed) table is more rigid and square than standard type (tilting). But I wouldn't want to lose out on the tilting table if there is a really good use for it that I might not be aware of.

 

[Packard V8]

and a morse taper.

Why a Morse taper? I've got both and use the DP with the chuck 10X more than one with the Morse.

jack vines

 

[A_Pmech]

A Pmech - Knee-type production table? It sounds like you are referring to vertical mill? Or does that terminology meant a rigid work surface?

I like a drill press with a knee-type table. That is, the table mechanics are similar to a knee mill, such as my small Edlund. It has vertical dovetail ways to guide the knee and a jack screw beneath the table to hold everything up and move the table up and down.

 

[383 240z]

I converted my DP to a production table. It does however still have the tilting option, but I never use it. For drilling angle holes, I use a vise like this one:

It's a $200 vise, but you can get the non swivel version,

for about $100 right from Palmgreen Keith