drill press buying

[polkwrangler]

looking into buying a drill press table or floor style....just not sure which one , looking towards the jet brand any thoughts ?

 

[RNeumann]

They are all so similar now I’d be hard pressed to spend more for a brand like Jet. The Craftsman or similar will do just fine. The subtle features do make a difference - especially for precision and ease of use. and if it was me I’d take a floor model over a bench top.

I have two bench tops and a floor model. The floor model was used and is a nice unit. With shipping etc the Lowe’s or HD may be your best bet.

 

[stuckmotor]

I have a big cheap table top. I wish it was a floor model.

 

[Navvet]

Bought one last year, The big thing for me was variable speed vs changing belt positions for speed change.

 

[Big Barn]

IMO I would check out Craigslist. I have only purchased one drill press new (many years ago) and in retrospect a good used one would have been MORE than adequate at a fraction of the price.

I have several now all purchased used. Even in my local limited used tool market I see at least one for sale every day.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I got both my drill presses from Craigslist too. Both 50-year old US made, still work fine. Out of curiosity (it is a slow Sunday) I searched Craigslist within 30 miles of a Lakeland zip code, there were about 15 ranging from ultra cheap to major industrial iron.

 

[ultrarunner]

Yep... an old heavy American made will outlast all of us...

If you are doing any kind of metal work... the models with the really low speeds are stout... like 30 or even 60 RPM.

I used a Bridgeport for my Drill Press and more... sometimes there are around dirt cheap!

 

[newbury]

I've been looking since 2010 for a decent standup 120V used 18 inch drill press on Surplus and CL for < $100, but they usually go for $250+ or are 3 phase. Of course these are like the a $1500 machine new.
I finally gave up and bought a WEN 8" last year for $35. I'm still looking for a 18" but at least I can make accurate holes.

 

[fried1765]

Bought a used Clausing drill press 30 years ago.
Don't use it often, but what a fantastic machine!

 

[ruffdog]

Not all of them will go SLOW enough for hole saws, big drills, honing a cylinder, etc. Going nice and slow is needed many times.

 

[LouNY]

My current "drill press" is an old Bridgeport 1 hp milling machine, it is the best for drilling or boring holes and has the capability to do so much more.
I looked for 3-4 years to find one in the price range I would pay.

 

[bunyip]

Have a Ryobi floor press this about 20 years old and works well, also a Record table top which is all cast iron with a 1/2" chuck that will hold a 1mm bit, very accurate drill I use for precision work, hard to find now but I think they are still made.

 

[CalG]

I wish you were closer.

I have a nice old Craftsman floor standing press drill that is surplus to my needs.

Not interested in "craigslisting" it.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I'm not a machinists but need a drill press here on the farm...
Scored a Harbor Freight 13" 16 speed floor model off Craigslist a couple years ago for $60...
It had been used one time...
It is not the best but fine for what I use it for...

 

[ArlyA]

I agree with Ruff. The SLOW speed option can not be had in many machines,, but is something I'd be looking for.

Not all of them will go SLOW enough for hole saws, big drills, honing a cylinder, etc. Going nice and slow is needed many times.

 

[mapper]

I have two drill presses, one I purchased about 30 years ago from Grizzly. It's a bench model, I use it primarily for mortising, it's kind of noisy and the depth stop is not very easy to use. The other is an old craftsman that I inherited from my father in law, floor model, runs quiet, depth stop is simple and works very well. The craftsman is probably over seventy years old. I use it for about 98% of my drillpress needs.
My recommendation is to find an old used drillpress that is in reasonably good condition.

 

[CADplans]

If you are drilling steel, power down feed is almost a necessity,,
I have power down feed, and almost never replace a drill bit,,

Power feed is the only way to accurately feed the drill bit.
If the bit is allowed to not feed, the hopping will quickly dull the bit.
Keeping the bit cutting, insures long bit life.

If you are gonna drill 20 holes per year, in 1/4" steel, any drill press is good enough,,,

 

[bcp]

I spent many years using an old post drill converted to electric. I really liked the power feed.

Bruce

 

[Beltzington]

I started with a used Harbor Freight bench top I bought of CL for $25. It actually worked fine for 90% of my projects although the run-out was horrible. What I disliked the most was I didn't have dedicated bench and had to move it every time I wanted to use it. I did some research and read the older 1980 Craftsman floor drill presses were actually decent, not the best by any means but a good deal if you aren't looking to spend several hundred dollars. 2+ years later I found a 1-hp Craftsman 1/2" well maintained floor DP for $150. Sold the HB freight for what I paid for it. My advice.

Buy used and get a floor model, they don't take up much space and it is so nice having an easily adjustable and accessible DP. Good Luck.

 

[polkwrangler]

thanks for everyones input I will have to check craigslist and offer up