Hey Fellas, I recently bought a drill press from Harbor Freight and it has broken down after the first use. Do you have a brand you recommend? I am looking at either a bench top drill press or floor drill press. I have read up on Delta's, craftsman, etc...let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
Several years ago I picked up a used floor-stand Craftsman drill press from a garage sale for $60. I've used and abused it for close to 10 years, and can't imagine not having one. Go full-height floor model. They have a Rigid in the shop here at work that seems pretty decent. I'd recommend that one too. Check your local cl***ified and bargain trader papers for a good used drill press...Go name-brand. You'll find a decent one for a lot less money than new. -Brad
Wow. Hard to believe... I think the used market is your friend now. I'm using a Craftsman from the 60s and it works great still. I would put money down that if I bought a brand new Craftsman and put it through the same paces as the old one... the new one would fail first. Old drill presses are like ****roaches... they live forever.
I have a floor standing craftsman and I love it. My wife got it for me as a birthday/christmas gift years ago. It's one of those tools that, once you have one, becomes indispensable.
I too have a floor model craftsman, no problems in the last 20 years or so. Probably the same price as the China one used.
I had a craftsman floor model giving to me by my father-in-law. It belonged to his dad so its better than 20 years old at least. I run it hard with no problems at all..
the adjustment screw for the belt tension and the motor has no power to drill through 1/2" & 1/8" thick steel.
my drill press is a craftsman too..about 25 years old i see a trend here...look for a good used USA made one
Exactly..... Garage / Estate Sales, cl***ifieds, etc. I have a Craftsman that is older than me (33) and works great... My .02 Andy
If you've learned your lesson with HF **** and want to do it right, I really like my Delta. Don't know the model #, but it's got the variable speed adjustment knob on the front, facing you. Was somewhere around 450.00
Take it back to H.F. I bought a Sprunger drill press that had "INDIANA " written on it! not china. All kidding aside, i went to a used machinery outlet and bought an old drill press for $125.00 that was used at Honeywell, it had a new 1 hp motor and USA on it. I also bought a Big Yost Vise $100 it was from a place called Muskegon,Michigan. I just like the USA on things sometimes old is better then any kind of new. My new Baldor Bench grinder for 34.00 (it need a small part i got from a electrician free from the junk box) 70 lbs made in the USA works great, same with my Milwaukee Grinder & Milwaukee Polisher got them new off the bay $100 each. Look for a good bargain in used or borrow some ones stuff till you find something that will last along time, just my thoughts - Good Luck on the Hunt
i have a floor model drill press. it's an 8" meaning it has 8" from the chuck center to the post at the rear, and has a 5/8"chuck, its a well built machine but it still has some flex in the table, the next drill press i'm buying will be a mill/drill, the ones i have used had no flex at all and if you need some little thing milled you can do that as well, there really not very good as a mill but you can do small jobs, i have seen one go at an auction for $500 and thats was less then the drill press i have now, my advice is to hunt down a used mill/drill.
When I found my used Craftsman, the top ring for the adjustment rack was busted, and it was missing two of the three knobs for the feed wheel (the handle on the side of the machine). Craftsman service had every part for it, and for $13 I had it running in perfect order. Just something to think about as you shop. -Brad
I actually have a harbor freight press that I got for $40 brand new and I'm not even gonna say it's a good one, but I have done a ton of work on it. With ANY drill press, you're gonna have to sneak up on your hole size when drilling through steel that thick. You'll know you've got your bit size and pressure just right because the metal will form a long curly-q without breaking. You can't just chuck up whatever bit matches the hole you wanna drill and hit it, especially on the thick stuff. Also, use plenty of cutting oil. That being said, I'm keeping my eye open for an american-made floor-standing press at an 'I have a truck and will get it out of here now' price, but I think my HF will last for as long as I use it provided that I'm careful. I do have more time than money, though, so that's definitely a factor...
Look for good used industrial equipment - clausing, powermatic, delta, rockwell - in the 12-15" range. I picked up a 14", 1/2hp southbend with a 1/2" Albrecht chuck and dual speed conversion for $200. Check out www.machineryvalues.com and your local trade rags.
I also have an old Craftsman and could not do without it. Those things are built tough and heavy but get an old one! (read my signature)
Here's my drill press. It's an ELECTRO MECHANO (Made in USA) If you've never heard of them well neither did I until I ran across this one for 99 bucks!! Variable speed with a Back Gear. It'll blow holes in 1/2" plate like it's ****er. They're still made so parts are available - If I remember right they're around 3 grand for a new one. Previously I had an old floor model Craftsman - it was a decent press, but compared to this one it was a TINKER TOY. Just like cars - the deals are out there - you just gotta keep looking!!!
Thanks for all of your helpful responses. I did take back the drill press and got a full refund. They just asked what was wrong with it. I mentioned it would hang up often and that the adjustment screw was stripped. Just as a side note, the motor was a 1/3 HP. I think I might need something in the 1 HP range. Also, I have used your advice about creeping up to the 1/2" hold size. I do use cutting fluid. Thanks a bunch again and I'll keep my eyes out for a good used, old USA one
The new Craftsman drill presses are made in Tiawan,on the same ***embly line as a lot of their compe***ors stuff,like Grizzly,etc. I think the manufacturers name is Rexon.Depending on who the customer is,they get different bearings,drill chuck,paint color,etc. Mine is an old Delta industrial machine,got lucky at an auction. Most small machinery at auctions goes for too much $$$, if it is 110 or 220 volts,and can be easily moved.
Some HP are bigger than others. Some manufacturers are "optimistic" on their ratings, others are outright misleading.
A good place to look is used equipment dealers. They usually have american built machines at a fraction of new prices. Unfortunately drill presses are a**** the most popular items that are looked for in these shops so you usually have to keep checking to get a good one. Frank
Here's the Delta I bought for $50, many, many holes ago! Also, you can do great big holes, on a lathe with a milling attachment. Got this one for $300. As HemiRambler said, there are deals out there, you just have to be patient, and have the cash on hand, when the opportunity arises.
I have a Craftsman and some other off brand Tiwain drill press. The Craftsman is better built or built to higher standards. I think I would buy a new Craftsman or Grizzley. But I would p*** on anything else made off shore. What I would really like is an industrial drill press with a large table. One that uses a drawbar and collets as well as a conventional chuck.
gave my son an old Craftman I fixed years ago , and he isn't giving it back anytime soon , it was made in the 50's , found it it in a local s**** yard .
Rexon also makes the treadmills for several "american" companies. Final ***embly is here, but trust me, its communist junk. buy american.
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