Drill Press Recommendation Needed

[03Fatboy]

I'm thinking about putting a drill press in the garage for minor projects and use. Just starting to do some research and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations. It won't see much heavy use, but I have had many occasions where I say to myself a drill press would make quick work of that. I will be starting to research for a press that is bench mounted versus a freestanding unit bolted to my floor and thought some of you may have some sound advice as I'm not interested in purchasing another one. Try to do it right the first time.
Thanks

 

[rakstr]

I have the larger of the two in this link and like it. It won't give you CNC quality work but for woodworking an the occasional metal work, it suits me fine. Keep your eyes open for sales (like now), coupons and re-manufactured versions (if that floats your boat) to save a couple $$$

Comparing 2 Items| Northern Tool + Equipment

I'm thinking about putting a drill press in the garage for minor projects and use. Just starting to do some research and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations. It won't see much heavy use, but I have had many occasions where I say to myself a drill press would make quick work of that. I will be starting to research for a press that is bench mounted versus a freestanding unit bolted to my floor and thought some of you may have some sound advice as I'm not interested in purchasing another one. Try to do it right the first time.
Thanks

 

[2152hq]

I had a floor mounted drill press for some years. It worked fine but finally realized I never used the extended reach that the floor mounted type gives you.
I needed the floor space instead in my small shop.
So I sold that one and went to a smaller bench mounted press and was never sorry I did.

But, depending on what you may be working on,,the floor mount may be of an advantage to you.
If you work on larger projects like furniture building,,repairing yard equipment, larger building projects,,you may very well find an advantage in being able to place a large or long piece under the spindle to drill.

Another option is finding a bench mounted press w/a head that swivels on the post. That way you can mount the press on the extreme end of a bench with room to the side.
If you have a large item to drill, you can swivel the head to the side, lock it and use the height of the bench from the floor to the drill press chuck as extra working room.

You do loose some of the total depth allowed by the machine that way (how far 'in' you can place a piece of work to drill it) as the edge of the bench & base can limit it. But there's never a one machine does all anyway.

Now I rarely use a drill press itself, using a drill chuck in a mill.
But if I didn't have that, I'd still be OK with the bench mounted machine and was for many years.
The cross slide compound is nice for more precise drilling. Those are available for drill presses too and just bolt on to the existing table.
Just some thoughts..

 

[M29since14]

If you buy the junk from China, be prepared to take it back until you get a half-decent one, or to do some repair work on it yourself. Usually the pulleys and chucks will run so out-of-round you can't do much with them except drill bolt holes in 2x4s, and the motors are all but worthless. The ones I have seen have just been pathetic - but still dangerous!

I suggest you do some snooping around at garage sales, pawn shops, check classified ads in the newspapers, etc. You may be able to find an older U.S.-made drill press (probably a Delta) for not much more than you would pay for the imported junk (and I do mean junk in the precise sense of the word), maybe for even a bit less. If it is in reasonable condition at all, you will be way ahead. Bench-mounted drill presses are for jewelers.

 

[rakstr]

Please let me know next time you see one! As a son of a WWII front line Navy machinist and a 45 year tool and die guy, even my dad had to get "an import" for his garage setup. Again, I'm happy to be shown to be wrong but the only US made machinery for many years have been very expensive and very high end. I've made this argument to many in discussions we're not allowed to have here that once we began to lose the ability to make the tools that make the machines, we lost the manufacturing war. IMHO, our past victories in conflict have been our ability to ramp production by building machines. Now, our machines that make things come from overseas (Asia and Germany for the most part) and we have lost control over our ability to produce in volume should access to those machines be cut off.

Please show me I'm wrong but I respectfully stand behind my recommendation from Northern Tool for a good light duty machine for the garage.

http://www.northerntool.com/images/downloads/manuals/155301.pdf


PS - ask a high school kid to go to the store and get you a 2 inch quarter twenty lag and see how many know what you're talking about

If you buy the junk from China, be prepared to take it back until you get a half-decent one, or to do some repair work on it yourself. Usually the pulleys and chucks will run so out-of-round you can't do much with them except drill bolt holes in 2x4s, and the motors are all but worthless. The ones I have seen have just been pathetic - but still dangerous!

I suggest you do some snooping around at garage sales, pawn shops, check classified ads in the newspapers, etc. You may be able to find an older U.S.-made drill press (probably a Delta) for not much more than you would pay for the imported junk (and I do mean junk in the precise sense of the word), maybe for even a bit less. If it is in reasonable condition at all, you will be way ahead. Bench-mounted drill presses are for jewelers.

 

[chief38]

I have an older press from my Father, but the recent stuff I've seen at most of the local tool stores are pretty flimsy. If I were to but one today I would definitely buy a used American made floor model. They are around and can be gotten for just a little more than a cheap flimsy imported one. As long as the used press was not abused, it will more than likely last you a lifetime.

Chief38

 

[WheelGunSpartan]

Second the old used American press you can't beat how solid they are built. Got a hand me down circa 1959 table top press with adjustable belt speed and used it for fab in my hot rod shop and for general stuff. Probably will be my grand kid's some day if you know what I mean. Still feels new and have seen similar ones at car parts swap meets even now a days. Car guys got some good stuff there on the right days.

 

[wheelgun28]

I am a drill press nut...

I have a machine shop and work in the machinery business.

I would always recommend a Clausing, Rockwell/Delta/Walker Turner. Avoid the newer Delta.

Now if you have extra money a Solberga, Arboga, or Alzmetal is a good choice.

However a nice 15" Clausing is a good all around small drill press.

You can often find them locally on Craigslist and things like it.

Having a good chuck is important, they can be replaced but are costly.

 

[03Fatboy]

Thanks for the manufacturer names. It helps a lot. I have seen many deals on Craigslist but I'm just not familiar with the manufacturers and this will help me in my search. BTW, there seem to be really good deals relative to purchasing new.

 

[125JHP]

I've had one of the Harbor Freight models,for about 8 years, that looks identical to the Northern Tool on the left (no laser). To be frank, It is a piece of junk. The handles vibrate loose and fall off, the depth stop broke and fell apart, the chuck bearing has enough play that starting a hole in a precise location, even with a punch mark, is rarely possible.

Not recommended for even garage duty.

 

[WR Moore]

I note you live in Long Beach. There have to be places that handle used industrial tools that can supply a used solid piece of equipment. Many places rebuild the tools. Let your fingers do the walking and then visit a few.