Drill Press

The Tiger

The Tiger

Joined
May 31, 2006
Messages
8
Hi Again,

Thanks for all the help on my last post!

I am now looking at a few drill presses. I have read on many posts that lower rpm's is preferable... maybe around 250, if possible.

Some have a laser light???? (Not sure if that's important or not)

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated... (or suggestions).

I'm looking at three right now in my price range:

CRAFTSMAN ~ $179.99
Solid steel and cast iron construction
Rugged heavy duty construction for vibration free operation
1/2 HP motor, 4.8 amp
12 spindle speeds 355 to 3,065 RPM
Spindle travel 2.44 in.
Cast iron table with roller extensions
Laser guide and LED work light
Includes 5/8 in. chuck key and allen wrenches
1-year limited warranty
______________
HARBOR FREIGHT ~ $249.99
Specifications
Name 16 Speed Heavy Duty Bench Drill Press
SKU 38142
Brand Central Machinery
Amperage (amps) 8
Horsepower (hp) 3/4
Maximum speed (rpm) 3600 RPM
Minimum Speed (RPM) 240 RPM
Number of speeds 16
Table tilt (deg) 45 deg.
Voltage (volts) 120
Voltage type VAC
Chuck size 7/64 to 5/8 in.
Product Height 41-3/4 in.
Product Length 17-5/8 in.
Product Weight 110 lbs.
Product Width 10 in.
Table dimensions 11-1/2 in. diameter
Accessories Included depth stop with gauge
Warranty 90 Day
____
WESTWOOD ~ $262.00
Item Bench Drill Press
Type Belt Drive
Swing 12"
Motor HP 1/3
Phase 1
Voltage 120
Hz 60
Amps AC 6.0
Spindle Speed 250 to 3100 rpm
Number of Speeds 12
Chuck Size 1/2"
Spindle Taper JT33
Spindle Travel 2-3/8"
Max. Spindle To Base 22-3/8"
Quill Dia. 1-9/16"
Table Work Surface 8-5/8 x 10-5/16"
Table Slots 1/2"
Base Size 8 1/4 x 14 3/8"
Overall Height 37-5/16"
Overall Width 11-1/4"
Overall Depth 21-1/2"
Includes Laser, Hex Wrenches, AAA Batteries
 
Last edited:
They first two look comparable

The Westwood seems to be a radial arm drill.
In most cases you won't need that extra throat depth.



I think the laser is BS, You're going to center punch the mark and the drill will follow that not a laser.
I think they are just a gimmick


If you can look at and try the actual one you are buying, look at everything see it looks straight, turn every handle, use every screw.

Pull the spindle all the way down, then shake it back and forth, front and back, see if it's loose enough to rattle.
 
My advice is to get the HF press and pay the money for the extended no questions asked warranty. The difference between 250 and 355 rpm might not sound like much, but it can be the difference between a burned up bit and a nice slow cut...
I am not much on a lot of HF tools, but I have seen the press you are considering and it seems like a nice unit. The Craftsman is ok, but is very much entry level at best. 3/4 hp isn't bad to have either if you ever want to drill a 3/4" or larger hole through thick steel.
I happen to have a 1/2 hp craftsman that is similar but a lot older that I use for wood working, and my floor model is a mid 50's job that I rehab'd and is 3/4 hp. I can spin a 1"+ step drill through 1/4" thick annealed carbon steel with the 3/4 at ~250 rpm, whereas my Craftsman cannot at ~300... its lowest setting also.
Plus, with the no questions warranty, you can do what I do. Use it for the two extra years then take it back for a brand new one when the warranty is nearing its end. They will swap it out with no issues as far as I have ever encountered....
I agree, the radial job is nice, but don't know you will ever need that throat depth unless you also do other projects aside from knife making...
Never rule out a good floor model either. It is nice to be able to access all sides of your work and really belly up to it. Most stand higher too than a bench model on a bench, it saves a lot of hunching over...
Cheers!
 
Thanks! I just noticed that HF has a huge sale on their floor model... 10 buck CHEAPER that the one stated originally:
Any feedback?

Name 16 Speed Heavy Duty Floor Drill Press
SKU 38144
Brand Central Machinery
Amperage (amps) 7.2
Horsepower (hp) 3/4
Maximum speed (rpm) 3600 RPM
Minimum Speed (RPM) 220 RPM
Number of speeds 16
Table tilt (deg) 45 deg.
Voltage (volts) 120
Voltage type VAC
Chuck size 7/64 to 5/8 in.
Product Height 62-3/4 in.
Product Length 26 in.
Product Weight 125 lbs.
Product Width 14-1/2 in.
Table dimensions 11-3/8 in. diameter
Accessories Included depth stop with gauge
Warranty 90 Day
 
The Tiger said:
Thanks! I just noticed that HF has a huge sale on their floor model... 10 buck CHEAPER that the one stated originally:
Any feedback?

Name 16 Speed Heavy Duty Floor Drill Press
SKU 38144
Brand Central Machinery
Amperage (amps) 7.2
Horsepower (hp) 3/4
Maximum speed (rpm) 3600 RPM
Minimum Speed (RPM) 220 RPM
Number of speeds 16
Table tilt (deg) 45 deg.
Voltage (volts) 120
Voltage type VAC
Chuck size 7/64 to 5/8 in.
Product Height 62-3/4 in.
Product Length 26 in.
Product Weight 125 lbs.
Product Width 14-1/2 in.
Table dimensions 11-3/8 in. diameter
Accessories Included depth stop with gauge
Warranty 90 Day
Click to expand...

Good sales price - go for for floor version. I've a bench-version as listed in your first post. Solid chuck/spindle with no side/side play.
 
2nd the floor model. I like being able to access just about the whole 360 degrees of mine easily. I don't know if that one does, but my floor press also has a crank adjustment for the work surface. Much easier to make minute changes in work surface height and thus drill depth than my benchtop which does not have that type. My floor model also just feels much more solid than a benchtop model.
I say go for it.
 
Take the good advice here. I bought a bench top drill press on sale about 10 years ago. There isn't enough depth, and the speed adjustment I have only goes down to 500rpm. I burn a lot of bits, even with good cutting oil, and using a hole saw is impossible. I guarantee you won't regret getting the better model.
 
I'll add my meager two cents worth in, I'd definitely recommend the floor model over the bench if you can get it. Those machines are usually more solid which will mean less play at the spindle. I have a bench model that I'm going to get rid of for a floor model. The only reason I have the bench top drill press is because at the time I simply didn't have any space for a floor model. The spindle/quill travel on the bench top is pretty limited. I think that mine barely manages 3" of travel. I'm not so sure about a laser though. Every single drill press I've ever operated that had a laser guide was always just ever-so-slightly off so I wouldn't use it enough to need it.
 
I also recommend getting one with a floor stand. Frees up that precious table space. Sounds like it is out of your price range, but I love me Porter Cable 8 amp 1 HP drill press. Like $319 at lowes I believe.
 
Thanks so much everyone for your help. I LOVE this forum!
If anyone is in the market for a drill press, this HF 38144 floor model was originally $300, discounted to $239 PLUS I found a 20% off coupon online. This gave me a sweet total of $191!
Here is a link for the 20% off, if anyone is interested. (Sales ends on 5/31) It's the least I can do! Thanks again, for your input!
http://www.harborfreight.com/20off-coupon912-aff-17547.html
 
Harbor freight should give you a kick-back... lol. I told at least two people I knew in the market for one and they jumped at the price... Happing drilling, metal too...
 
Hey folks,

Instead of adding another thread about the same topic, I was curious in the experts' opinions on here between these two drill presses. My birthday is fast approaching and I was going to pick one up for myself. Which would you pick and why?

Grizzly

http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-Speed-20-Floor-Drill-Press/G7948

or Jet
http://jettools-online.com/metalwor...resses/j-2500-15-floor-model-drill-press.html

Or are these complete overkill. I am looking for a drill press that will be stable drilling into mild carbon and stainless steels.
 
Pete - I would get a floor hf drill and a craftman 2x42 or squeeze extra $ for a grizzly 2x72. No more filing ;)
 
I second the opinion above. The HF floor model previously listed above at the sale price and even paying for the extended warranty is an absolute steal. I had a buddy who jumped at the offer above when I told him and it is a really well built machine, especially for the money. Sure, it has a spot here and there that look a little cheap, but the overall functioning bits are really solid. Good spindle with no play, nice chuck, nice work space... and there is enough money left over for a decent grinder on the second hand market or a little extra for a new one.
Good luck!
 
If it HAS to be between those two I would say neither. They aren't in the same league honestly and the grizzly is overkill for almost anything knife related. The 17" 1 hp grizzly is a closer comparison to the jet, and would be my choice of those two. Still more than you would need, but a nice machine.
 
texas gun person said:
I also recommend getting one with a floor stand. Frees up that precious table space. Sounds like it is out of your price range, but I love me Porter Cable 8 amp 1 HP drill press. Like $319 at lowes I believe.
Click to expand...
I have this unit also and other been a good unit so far. I think I paid 299. Plenty of speeds and power and it has a nice long drilling depth for larger items. im sure it isn't super high quality, but it works great for me.
 
Well I must say I myself am in a little despair after reading a great many customer reviews of nearly every drill press less than $500 as recorded on the Amazon site. As I hope to build folders I'm led to believe that more precision is needed from your drill press than that needed to do fixed blades.

The number of apparently drill press knowledgeable buyers who have expressed dissatisfaction with the build quality and lack of precision of all these < $500 machines was discouraging. I was assuming one would get a modicum of quality and precision (ie: less than 6-7 thou run out) for a $300 -- $400 drill press.

Apparently it is not enough to simply grab the spindle and see if its tight, one has to be sure that the table is also in 90 degree relation to the spindle, ...seemingly a great many are not and in many cases it is not just a simple shim job to repair, tables warped etc.
not to mention vibration issues.

I know zip about machine tools, have never ever used a drill press. Have no access to second hand pre-war and American made machines either.
I'm now wondering if a top model Foredom tool and guide might not be better?

What all drill presses are you folder guys using?

thanks, barney the noob.
 
Consider the source also. A lot of bad setup is user error... You have to put it together right for it to work right. I have seen some complainants that didn't tighten any fasteners properly then wonder why it all falls apart...

There are plenty of good machines out there for under $500, and they aren't all on Amazon...

If you are going to build folders, why not a mill/drill or dedicated milling machine. You can drill precision holes with most, granted you don't have the depth for the most part, but who cares with 1/8" thick material.
 
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