This drill press was posted a little bit ago. Dude's only asking $50 for it. Looks to be in great shape to be a 1988 model. And it's made in Taiwan. Never heard of it myself. Wondering if I should take a chance on it or wait for something better.
Vintage Tradesmen Drill Press?
- Thread starter DIY_Guy79
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Kscardsfan
Well-known member
I think you could do better than $50 for that.
As far as I know that's a pretty generic little drill press made under lots of names, and new models can be found for under $100. I've had two like it, one branded Master Mechanic that looked extremely similar, which I sold when I found the other, a Craftsman, because the Craftsman power switch is in the front, ie right in my face, which I really prefer vs having it on the side. I'm not a pro so for my basic needs (mostly drilling into wood, occasionally using sanding drums for tight inside curves) and limited space they both did the job, and I was happy with finding each used but clean for $40.
I'd say make $40 your highest offer, but depending on your needs I'm sure many people here would suggest being patient and for a little more money you might be able to find a much more capable (older, heavier) drill press. FWIW I also came across a Tradesman scroll saw once... it worked okay, but definitely nothing spectacular, I think it had trouble keeping the blade under tension.
Hope that helps, good luck with your hunt!
I'd say make $40 your highest offer, but depending on your needs I'm sure many people here would suggest being patient and for a little more money you might be able to find a much more capable (older, heavier) drill press. FWIW I also came across a Tradesman scroll saw once... it worked okay, but definitely nothing spectacular, I think it had trouble keeping the blade under tension.
Hope that helps, good luck with your hunt!
I think those were sold by the traveling tool auction guys that set up at VFWs, KofC halls and the like. I had one for a while. It worked is the best thing I can say about it. I think they were $50.00 new 15 or 20 years ago. Gobs better than no drill press.
If I'm seeing this right, that drill press has only a 2 inch stroke. Hold out for at least 4 inch stroke, and ideally a real motor---at least 1/3 to 1/2 honest horsepower
That's a $25-30 DP in the Chicago area.
In your neck of the woods, here's a much better overall value (with 16 speeds) for $100:
https://offerup.com/item/detail/1028817633/
That's a $25-30 DP in the Chicago area.
In your neck of the woods, here's a much better overall value (with 16 speeds) for $100:
https://offerup.com/item/detail/1028817633/
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Depends on what you intend to drill. If steel, look for a sixteen speed unit that goes down to 200 RPM or so.
There were many made that looked like that, around here they are $25-35 drill presses.
I paid $40 for mine, it needed a motor, which I had.
There were many made that looked like that, around here they are $25-35 drill presses.
I paid $40 for mine, it needed a motor, which I had.
