New Drill Press

[jjeff]

Hi Im looking for ideas and suggestions for a new drill press to replace my current porter cable floor model (its only three years old but is currently struggling and the belt tensioner broke again). It will mostly be used for drilling steel I use it extensively daily when I'm doing a project than sits for weeks unused.
Minimum 4" spindle travel, 5/8 chuck, like it to be a 20" model, minimal runout and heavy duty enough to use 1" plus hole saws and bits. would like it to be 1k or less pains me to say this but seriously considering the harbor freight 20" drill press but sold out til sept. Does not need and don't want laser alignment.
Thanks

 

[ArlyA]

For running 1" bits you'll need a low, low speed. Most drills won't get down to 60 and I'd personally look for less than that.

 

[jjeff]

Good point my current drill press has been set since day 1 at its slowest speed of 250 , let me edit my first post I rarely drill anything over 1" but when I do it would be nice to know the press can handle it.

 

[arto98607]

Looks like the lowest chuck speed on the 20 inch HF drill press is 180 rpm (3850 rpm motor).

Used old low rpm motor would help but the belt drive ....?
It would turn into a project.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I'd buy a Grizzly LONG before I'd buy one from HF!!

Would you consider a quality older used drill press???

SR

 

[LouNY]

If you can find an old milling machine it will make a drill press seem like a piece of garbage.

 

[Cougsfan]

You all have mentioned my main complaints with all non-industrial grade drill presses I have seen: 1) They don't go slow enough 2) the belt tensioner is crap. Unlike mills, used industrial grade drill presses are not readily available, and too expensive for the average guy. Maybe Lou is right in looking for a used mill.

 

[jjeff]

Ok thanks everyone for the input unfortunately one thing I never got into was machining with lathes and mills, what should I look for in a used mill for drill press purposes? I have 220 but definitely don't want the hassle of obtaining three phase power.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

IF your Porter Cable already is working for you, and will handle the drilling chores you have, I think I'd look hard at gearing it down to go slower and build a much better tensioning system. Buy pulleys and slow it down, then make a screw system to tension the belt.

That will cost you less too...

SR

 

[ArlyA]

Here is a nice one if you have the $$$

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Here's my BIG drill press, I have $600.00 in trade into it,

I only use it when I really need it, as I have other drill presses for smaller stuff.

To the OP, have you considered a magnetic drill for bigger holes?? Then keep your PC press for the smaller stuff. A good mag drill works fantastic!

SR

 

[Cougsfan]

Magnetic drills have their purpose and are great for that, but would appear to me to be a poor substitute for a drill press. If I owned one it would set around in my shop, seldom, if ever used.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Magnetic drills have their purpose and are great for that, but would appear to me to be a poor substitute for a drill press. If I owned one it would set around in my shop, seldom, if ever used.

Once you have one, you find them super handy, and also that is why I said keep the PC drill press he has...

SR

 

[swines]

The Teknatool Nova drill press will run on either 120 VAC or 220 VAC. It has a Morris MT-2 taper spindle. I put a Llambrich keyless drill chuck on mine. The drill motor is continuously variable from 50 rpm to 5,500 rpm. The motor is a digital variable reluctance (DVR) motor that Nova has used for years in their wood lathes. The spindle is isolated from the motor by thrust bearings so you are not putting pressure on the motor when drilling. I've used it with drills, hole saws, and carbide hole cutters up to 1.25 inches. Because it is a DVR motor, the torque is continuously monitored as you drill and more power is applied to the motor as required for the load. I've had it for three years and it's been capable of meeting a variety of wood and metal drilling needs with no downside (so far) to the drill press. Not cheap, but it works and because it has a digital controller, it has a lot of features like auto shutoff, drill depth monitor, etc.

 

[herm0016]

consider used, i see a couple clausings on Craigslist Michigan. i dont think any of the newer imports will be much different than what you have.

 

[workinonit]

I bought a smaller version of the Baleigh. It is gear driven with at least 4 speeds. It fits all the things you are looking for. I think I paid $1200 for it when I bought it. New. Sometimes I wish I would have gone with the infinte variable speed and an oiler but it does everything I need and more. I really like it. My buddy had one of the big milling machine vices he was replacing that I picked up for $50.

 

[ArlyA]

The Baleigh I posted a photo of has the infinite variable speed. That is nice! Never will use its cooling system.

 

[5030]

Hi Im looking for ideas and suggestions for a new drill press to replace my current porter cable floor model (its only three years old but is currently struggling and the belt tensioner broke again). It will mostly be used for drilling steel I use it extensively daily when I'm doing a project than sits for weeks unused.
Minimum 4" spindle travel, 5/8 chuck, like it to be a 20" model, minimal runout and heavy duty enough to use 1" plus hole saws and bits. would like it to be 1k or less pains me to say this but seriously considering the harbor freight 20" drill press but sold out til sept. Does not need and don't want laser alignment.
Thanks

I have a real nice Craftsman floor drill press that I'd sell you. It's an early model with a cast iron table and base, not the current cheap stuff. It's capable of low speeds, I drill steel with it all the time. Comes with an angle capable drill press vise too and built in work light.

Good bearings, NO spindle runout at all. I tend to use one of my Bridgeport mills for drilling anyway and not the drill press. It's American made (Kalamazoo, Michigan) too.

I see you are local to me (Michigan). If interested, shoot me a PM.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have a real nice Craftsman floor drill press that I'd sell you. It's an early model with a cast iron table and base, not the current cheap stuff.

I have two of those Sears drill presses, and I'd sell one of them too, as I'm drill press poor!!

SR

 

[jjeff]

Once you have one, you find them super handy, and also that is why I said keep the PC drill press he has...

SR

A decade ago or longer I was looking at mag drills for work really wish I would have bought one then. Definitely a good option, might consider a used Craftsman others may sell or coble together my current one and use for a while til I can get something that's gear driven which appears to be the way to go and last me and my kids lifetime. Fyi Porter cable isn't the same as it used to be.
Thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone.