Drill press for novice?

[jwb]

I am just getting started with fabricating with steel tubing and the like.

Any suggestions for a 110v drill press for a novice? price is not the main factor btw.

[wirehead]

I can recommend no specific model for you, but a truism is that bigger is better. If you don't believe me, you will become very proficient at creative clamping for such routine operations as simple tube notching, etc. Also, for metal you want SLOW speeds and enough power to cut your maximum diameter holes. Avoid bench top models like the plague.

[LayoutMan]

+ 1 for avoiding bench press drill, they look good and fit at the store but really useless for the space you have between the drills and the leg!

even if you said you are a novice try to buy the best you can and take care of it (don't drill thru the base plate, always use wood pieces under your metal, oil daily, don't weld any jigs on the plate, clamp it.

Also, if the price range is not the ''main factor'' go at a real industrial supplier near you instead of commercial place, you''ll maybe find a grey hair guy that will tell you how to use it correctly instead of just take the box and pay as many store!

[hammer0419]

The Home Depot full size drill press is very good for the $300 price tag. I use mine 7 days a week for drilling tons of steel, wood, and phenolics for my knifemaking. There is bigger and better but also a lot more expensive.

[rabidchimp]

I've got a JET, bought it from a buddy, who was the original owner. Its about a 17" unit, and has done everything I've asked from it. If money's not an issue, maybe you can check into a mill / drill combo?
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient...w=1024&bih=665
-Aaron

[MikeGyver]

Good used big ones are cheap on craigslist.

I bought a benchtop drill press from harbor freight for $30 (that's like half a tank of gas...) seriously a good purchase. I've been using it for years, drills up to 1/2" holes. It won't really go slow enough for anything larger.

[Gobysky]

I have a 15 inch Craftsman 1hp drill press I've had for years. I've been drilling 3/4" holes with it, except the only problem I've had is the belts start slipping when I get close to drilling thru. Would those automotive belt dressing/spray good for stopping slippage?
Other than that, it wasn't that expensive at the time, and does everything I'd ever want to do.

[BD1]

Look for a older used one on craigs list. A powermatic , rockwell, or delta are my choices.
Definitely a floor model . Make sure it has slow speeds for metal work too.

[Kaos]

If you find a used one be sure to check the runout. I made that mistake and had to get the spindle machined. I still would have bought the drill press but probably could have got it cheaper if I would have pointed out the excessive runout. May be common sense for most but I was lacking some that day.
Good luck.

[jwb]

Anybody used or owned the HF production drill press floor model for $599? Part #39955.

[eagleman193]

i got one then we could choose a price would you like pictures?

[heftylefty]

Where are you located? We're very lucky here in New England--there are many quality used tool/machinery stores where I've had good luck. I've seen a lot of Buffalo, Walker-Turner-Rockwell, and Hougen mag drills lately. I prefer the old machines to the new, especially when the purse strings are tight. I know this is said so often on all tool-centric trades forums that it's as cliche as "absence" and "fonder" but it's oftentimes true: quality old machines are a better investment. I'm a novice, too, and I tend to buy old stuff as I need it. It's functional from the moment I bring it to the shop but usually, right after I use it for the job, I tear it down first to see if anything needs replacement--like bearings--and inspect for cross-threaded wrong-ness. As for buying HF drill bits/presses/chucks/tables, I''ve seen better for less depending on where in the world you're coming from.

[wippin' boy]

horse power is the answer in all situations
as stated, watching craigs list and e-bay can yield some great old iron at near scap price. you may even find someone like mua who would rather give it away than send it to melt for another piece of asian blight

[bert the welder]

The truth is that NO ONE can just suggest a drill without knowing what you are doing with it. Sure, you can be absolutely prepared for all tasks and get a 5 hp monster, but is that what you need? Are you building race car frames or scale models? 4" pipe or 1/2" aluminum tube? Production or one off once a year stuff? Are you wealthy and have no $ limit or are you 16yrs old with a part time job delivering pizza? See what I'm getting at? Not wanting to sound like a dick, but info is everything.

[bert the welder]

Originally Posted by hammer0419

The Home Depot full size drill press is very good for the $300 price tag. I use mine 7 days a week for drilling tons of steel, wood, and phenolics for my knifemaking. There is bigger and better but also a lot more expensive.

Agreed. Mike has his in my shop and we had it at our last shop. Had it for probably 8-10 years and still works good. Mike is a ape hanger on it too. Only thing that was bull****e was he couldn't get belts for it. Searched high and low. Finally a supplier he found could get some that would fit but they had to be ordered from BF no where and were blood expensive!!!! They are the multi-groove type, not the standard single V style. Yes, they probably grip better due to more contact surface area, but HD should at least have them available!!!
Ok, rant over, carry on............

[fredschrom]

If I was looking to get another drill press I would first buy used !!!!!!!

In order of interest to me would be:

1. Clausing/ Do All/ Fosdick/Cincinnati
2. Rockwell/Wilton (old)
3. Powermatic/Buffalo/

[turbocad6]

as far as older used I really like the walker turners, really nice drill press and can be had reasonably priced

[fredschrom]

walker turners

Yep another good choice,

I was just checking local Craigslist, and old buffalo for $200.

Dayton made a good press also but harder to find.

[farmall]

I've seen a lot of Buffalo, Walker-Turner-Rockwell, and Hougen mag drills lately

I'd buy a mag drill used before I bought a drill press. It's easy to make steel adapters to support them for bench work if needed.

[fredschrom]

Farmall,

" I'd buy a mag drill used before I bought a drill press. It's easy to make steel adapters to support them for bench work if needed. "

Kind of an application thing though, for repetitive holes and quick setup I like the drill press, it is also a poor mans tapping machine. For big stuff and big holes in steel a mag drill is best, but it doesn't do alum and wood well, and putting a mortise bit on one is impossible.

Franky, the right answer is both

[pipehack]

+1 on looking for an older one. You'll find tons of them at estate sales and craigslist. Look for an older craftsman. I forgot who made them but, I looks like this.
http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=11957.0

This guy restored his. I already have an older made in the USA Craftsman drill press. You can find them in great condition. Buy new=ChiCom.

[Eliotmay@yahoo.com]

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

[Eliotmay@yahoo.com]

Sorry, hit send prematurely! My Mr 45 mag drill with a base I copied off of you tube. 425 for the drill. Super.heavy duty and variable speed to slooooow!

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

[heftylefty]

I'm wondering what the OP has settled upon? He said that price was not the first consideration so I'm wondering if he's getting something I would have to wait 30 yrs and for the word 'vintage' to be applied to it to afford.

@fredschrom - true--it's hard to just have _one_ tool in _one_ category like perforating or cutting or welding. Getting your first implies that another is in the future--my shop teacher/partner saying that when I was first looking for a press neutralized the paralyzing stress of trying to find the perfect tool.

I'm looking for another head for my buffalo 15 benchtop so I can leave it set up for a drill and countersink for knife nights. Here's a pic of my new-to-me 200 ducat drills.

[mb_welder]

Princess Auto has decent benchtop drill presses at a low cost point that work well. At the price point, they are hard to beat, although it would be worth upgrading down the road.

And if you find yourself drilling a lot of thicker materials, power down feed will make the job easier! (just...go easy on the power down...or things can get...chaotic!)