Drill Press Purchase

[chris insull]

I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a drill press. I've been looking at the one listed below, but don't have much experience with HF's tools. I definetely want a floor mount model for my shop, and like the spindle speed range. At $479, it seems like a decent deal. Any recommendations?

1-1/2 HP Motor
This professional-quality tool features rack-and-pinion table movement, heavy duty all ball bearing motor and an independently wired work lamp. Includes oiler.
Cast iron table rotates 360° and tilts left to right up to 45°
Motor: 1-1/2 HP; 1720 RPM; 120 volt; single phase
Precision 5mm to 20mm (.197" to .787") capacity JT3 ball bearing geared key chuck
MT3 spindle taper
20'' swing
Spindle stroke: 4''
Table size: 16-3/4'' x 18-11/16''
Column diameter: 3-5/8''
Spindle speeds: 150-4200
ITEM 39955-2VGA

[cricman]

It looks pretty decent, and has a lot of features. Are the feed handles polyethylene? If they are, I would be a little nervous. In and of themselves, they are okay, but if you need to bear down on them, I get worried that the metal shaft that is probably molded in will get loose, with no easy fix. I seems weird that such a big drill press that is meant for "production" would not have an all metal feed assembly. I know, if you have sharp bits, the need to bear down doesn't present itself very often, but let's face it,...we've all hung from the feed levers of our drill presses, at one time or another, like a monkey at the zoo!!!!

cricman

p.s. What part of Chesapeake? I lived in Camelot (1973-1979) and would have graduated from Deep Creek High in 1982, had the family stayed (Coast Guard brat).

[chris insull]

p.s. What part of Chesapeake? I lived in Camelot (1973-1979) and would have graduated from Deep Creek High in 1982, had the family stayed (Coast Guard brat).
Thanks for the input, cricman! I'll be looking at them in the morning... I live in Deep Creek. My daughter goes to DCHS (class of '08). My wife teaches at Camelot Elementary... Small world!

[Sandy]

Well I won't get into the quality foray here, cuzz someone always says unless it has stability and accuracy to .0002" and costs at least $3000.00 it ain't any good. But if this is your first drill press you'll be totally tickled and wonder how you ever got by without it. Right off the bat, get a basic table vice and some extended depth C clamps before you ever leave the store.

Enjoy. :)

[stumpster]

I have had mine for a year now (the same one) and am really happy with it!
Dido on what Sandy said:)

[Doolittle]

My 16" Central Machinery floor drill press is 10 years old and has been trusty (I think mine was like $200 somethin..). Its allready paid for itself, and is plenty accurate. Ive never hung off mine though.

[12,000 Doors]

If they started making them out of plastic maybe you should check out the grizzly ones, they're cheap to.

[grand master flash]

My experience with HF drill presses and any Asian drill presses is that they are all junk. The 3 pulley arrangement looks good on paper but the mid pulley is on a pivot. When there is a heavy load the belts will slip which is quite agravating. The chucks are trash save your money. Look for a old American made drill press you will be better satisfied in the long run. My drill press is a 20" Clausing. It does a very nice job.Think of tools like this. I can buy good tools once and they will last a lifetime or I can junk several times and have a lot more money in junk tools. Junk tools are penny wise and pound foolish

[scott brunsdon]

My Chinese made tools are all going strong - bought a drop saw 2 years ago to do one project expecting it to last that one project and it's still going.

I'm loving my cheap drill press (just a bench mounted one). Wish I'd bought one years ago. For 20 years I drilled holes in steel with my trusty electric drill and didn't particularly enjoy it. Now I'm looking for things to drill holes in.

[Joe H]

I've had a chinese drill press for 15 years, its still good as new. I don't abuse it, but it does see alot of use.

[MUDBUG]

I just bought the 1 HP drill press...it's really nice. They did have the 1.5 HP model on sale for $359! Thats a hell of a deal!

[goodfellow]

I've owned an Enco 17" floor model for 10 years now and it's a great machine. Made in Taiwan and has plenty of power and is very accurate. It replaced an old worn out (US made) Rockwell and is a better machine than the Rockwell it replaced. Some Asian equipment is well worth buying -- heavy duty drill presses are one such item.

I've looked at the 20" model at the local HF store. Fit and finish is "good", but not great. The castings are a bit rough, but no worse than the industrial Powermatic drill press my neighbor has in his shop.

[Rick Moran]

I don't want to date myself, but I bought my floor model drill press 30+ years ago at the "Taiwan Tool Store". In reality, that wasn't the name but it was what we used to call them because that's all they sold. This was long before HF was concieved but probably what gave them the idea to go national with outlets.

I haven't had any problems with my press and it still has the original motor but I did have to put a belt on it because I literally wore the first one out. It's not industrial quality for sure, but just something to make life easier and I have used it for short production and hobby stuff. You really can't beat them for the money.

QC is their biggest problem. You should take the time to check that the main body casting was machined properly or you will be drilling off-square holes forever and wondering why.

One thing to watch out for is when setting up your table (left, right & 90* angles, call it "X" axis), don't trust the little degree tags, use a square or protractor. The only axis (call it "Y" axis, front to back) you can't adjust in the relationship of the headstock to the table. Before buying it or when you get it out of the packaging, be sure to check that the quill movement is true and square, and also at different table heights. Do this by chucking up a long piece of tubing/rod or something that is know to be true (do this by rolling on a smooth table, should have no wobble). Then check the tubing against a square off the table in the "Y" axis (from front to back) Also, stroke the quill up and down to ensure it maintains the same tolerance throughout it's travel.

It won't be perfect (.0002 like a Bridgeport), but should be within reason. Only you can make the determination if it's acceptable for what you will be doing or I'd get my money back. :gunsfirin

[Jim Stabe]

check the sales, I think this is on for ~$350 right now.

[Rick Moran]

Jim,
You ruined the MGB. It would have been more exciting to light up the small wheels w/narrow wheelbase and try to hang on at top end. :eek:

[Jim Stabe]

Rick

In its previous life (built it in 1972) the car was standard dimensions with a turbocharged F-85 Olds aluminum V8 and XKE rear suspension. That was only about 250 hp but it created sufficient excitement with the 7" wide wheels. As I matured my dimensions expanded somewhat from what they were in '72 so I thought I should allow the car to do the same. This time it will wear more comfortable shoes (11 in back, 9 1/2 in front) and get an extra shot of Geritol to the tune of ~430 hp. We are both going through our second childhoods, life just keeps getting better.

Jim

[Jim Stabe]

Chris

I just found my in-store flyer and it has the drill press on sale for $359.99, lot # 33686. The sale ends Feb 12.

Jim

[Rick Moran]

Now that's what I'm talking about! I would've liked to get behind the head of the rattlesnake. :blob1:

I know all about the changing dimensions too....:cry: