ValueMaster 13" Floor Drill Press

[lbmcse]

Listed on eBay with no bids. $129 would take it. Does this beat the $329 Porter Cable 15" floor press at Lowes? The Valuemaster is also 400 miles from me, but I'd take the drive.

I'm not thrilled with Taiwanese manufacture, but I want something that will last. This press looks to be in good condition, but I've never heard of the maker. I have no issue paying a couple hundred more for the PC if the product warrants. I'm not in a position to pay nearly $1000 for a top notch floor press.

Any opinions welcomed. Thanks.

 

[LXCam]

That value craft is a nice looking machine, but you'll end up cussing that 1/2hp motor everytime you go to use it. If these are your only two options my preference would be for the Porta Cable unit with the 1hp motor. GL

 

[Givl Reggin]

Important things to consider in a drill press...
Quill Travel - 6" is what you'll want.
Throat Depth - 16-1/2" is good, 20" is better.
Motor HP - 3/4 is good, 1 is better.

Features;
Depth Stop
Quill Lock
Table for capturing coolant
Rack&Pinion Table
Variable Speed (so much better than changing belts!)

I have one of these...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HX4S4Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Unfortunately it's now discontinued, but it's the best damn drill press I have ever used!

 

[lbmcse]

Thanks for the responses. Despite searching I have a few questions. Quill travel is vertical movement from the fixed position to the downmost position, right? Throat depth is center to center from beam to cutting tool?

I've asked the eBay seller why he's selling. The sale states that it's "new old stock." If it's an old unused item in mint condition, then the price becomes more attractive. Waiting for a response from him.

I might just take a 5 minute drive and spend $329 for the new Porter Cable. I know they're an American company (that's important to me), but many "American" companies are outsourcing. I don't know if PC is one of them.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Quill travel is vertical movement from the fixed position to the downmost position, right? Throat depth is center to center from beam to cutting tool?

Quill Travel is how far the drill chuck will travel downwards. A lot of drill presses only have 4-1/2" of travel... I would avoid these, as you'll constantly be moving the table up/down to accommodate different size bits.

Throat depth is the diameter of a circle with center of the circle at the chuck, so half of that (the radius) is how large of an item you can drill into without hitting the column. A 15" Drill Press is only 7-1/2" from column face to center of drill chuck.

 

[Outlawmws]

the valuemaster is definitely China made. The PC is almost certainly an import, but from where?

I wouldn't go near the VM.

 

[lbmcse]

Thanks everyone for the knowledgeable replies. I let the auction pass. I'm seeing that ample quill travel and throat depth along with the option of variable speed, are the things that lower priced machines lack. Given my budget, I'll either have to wait or settle.