Drill press, which one?

chipper67 · #1 12-29-2007, 10:13 PM

Just wanted to get some feedback on something. I'm thinking about getting a drill press sometime. It's just one of those tools that when you need one you are sure glad you have one. And lately, I have been needing one. I plan on using it to drill neck holes for figures and also to get rid of waste wood in relief carvings (ya, I know, a router works for that too). Anyway, I was wondering if you have a benchtop or floor model drill press? I'm leaning on getting a benchtop, but I'm not sure if I would be able to drill neck holes in 10" average height figures. I am just starting researching them and thought I'd ask here first. Also, what brand do you like the best? Once again, there are so many different ones out there and it's nice to get some opinions before buying. Thanks,

Chipper67

TommyPhillips · #2 12-30-2007, 12:17 AM

Chipper-

For any tool, I have learned the hard way that buying "economy" is usually a mistake, so take some time and think it through.

That said, a drill press is fundamentally a very simple tool, although I suspect most woodworkers don't use it to its fullest potential. I know for sure that I am not. I have a largish bench Ryobi (don't remember the model number) that I picked out for a long quill stroke so I could drill out pen blanks, and am happy enough with it, especially now that I got an aftermarket table to bolt on.

But, the new Delta and Jet tools, with tables really designed for woodworking instead of metal work, sure have captured my attention. If I was in the market right now, that's where I would spend my money.

Good luck on choosing the right tool for you.

-Tommy

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #3 12-30-2007, 09:04 AM

I have Ridgid, good drill press with a number of good features on it....got it on veterans day at home despot......great price! I think with the sale price and the 10% vets discount, it was 238.00.....one of my best buys!! (oh, its the floor model, I had a Delta bench model that worked fine, but there are somethings a bench model won't handle)

susieq · #4 12-30-2007, 10:44 AM

If you are in no hurry, watch the classifieds and buy one used. Drill presses are very basic and haven't changed much in the last hundred years or so. I have an old (really old) Buffalo drill press that belongs to my brother but is on loan to me for as long as I want it. My brother rescued it from a mechanics shop that was closing. It probably weighs 3 hundred pounds or more and was built back in the 30's or 40's. The brand is no longer made but it's a doosey....I love it. Good old Delta Rockwell machines come on the market all the time and old timers know that a good old machine beats a new one any day. Heavy is bad when you are trying to move it but great when you are using it. Most are belt driven and I would avoid anything direct drive like the plague....... Take your time and shop for a good used old machine and you will be ahead both in dollars and quality.

JIM QUILICI · #5 12-30-2007, 12:17 PM

look at " grizzly" tools I have one of their 14 inch band saws with a 6" extension . very good tools, any price range that you want to go.
grizzly.com
Jim

cats pa · #6 12-30-2007, 03:57 PM

I lucked into a 50's Rockwell radial bench model a few years ago, and found an extra table for it soon after. So now I swing the "metal" or the "wood" table under the head, depending on what I'm drilling. It's great because the metal table, with the vise, gets all drooly with oil and metal chips and I don't have to clean it off to use the wood table, with the wooden top and fence.

Next thing is to build a clamp-on bit holder.

Now my 30 dollar Chiwanese one is sitting out in the yard rusting. If it still works, Chipper, you can have it for shipping. Or if you can wait til spring, I might be heading over to Murdo/Draper.

Parker

chipper67 · #7 12-30-2007, 05:15 PM

Thanks everyone for replying.

Parker - Thanks for the offer, but I'm hoping to get one within a month or so.

Jim - I've heard some good things about "Grizzly" tools. I might have to check them out.

Susieq - I do plan on trying to find a good used one first before I buy brand new. You are right when you say you will be ahead in dollars and quality as long as it (drill press) had been taken care of.

Hi_Ho_Sliver - We're going to Sioux Falls tomorrow and I plan on going to Home Depot. I'll have to check out the Rigid drill press also.

Tommy - I currenlty have a 14" Delta bandsaw which I like and I was leaning towards a Delta drill press too. I'll just have to check as many out as I can and go from there.

Chipper67