best drill press?

[scout man]

Just wondering what drill presses you guys own for metal work, and if you would recommend it or not. I am thinking this is my next tool purchase (its about time) as drilling all this junk by hand just is not working anymore. What do you use, and would you buy it again?

[scout man]

I suppose while we are on the topic, anyone have any metal bits that they absolutely love?

[Squshiee1]

i know my uncle loves his, Milwaukee drill press, and he uses DeWalt titanium bits.
But its quite an expensive set up, i think it was like 900 bucks.

[Brad]

I am wondering this as well Steve, it is a tool I have always wanted.

[Java]

on the other end of the spectrum, I have a small table top one I bought as an impulse item at Harbor Freight, they had them stacked near the register for about $45.00 when I bought a trailer, and I stood next to it so long waiting for them to get the trailer kit out that I ended up buying one, sort of against my own better judgement. It has been a big surprise for me, it works very well and I've used it to drill a LOT of cedar and some metal with no problems at all.

IMO...
If I had it over I'd get a larger one, or make a heavy base for it. I often clamp mine down to the bench, that works too, but a heavy free standing one would be better than a bench top for both stability and keeping the bench top open.

Mine doesn't have a vice on the work surface, just a flat plate with holes for the bit to pass through that I can clamp too, which can be awkward. I found one to add on, but if I had actually shopped it out and not just bought it on a whim I would have found one with a vice, it's handy.

the best drill bits I've bought are from www.mcmaster.com, that's just an awesome site in general

[Brody]

The one I am using is what I could afford. It is a $200 Skil, a brand I pretty much detest, but works well enough so far. It is mounted on a very heavy base which also serves as a mount for the tubing notcher. It replaced the Harbor Freight I was using before and is better. The one I would buy would be the $700-800 Delta with the heavy base, but that is down the road when there is $$ to spend for better tools.

Delta makes some very good shop style tools of all kinds and I have never had any problems with them. Most of the guys I know who do cabinet work or custom wood stuff on jobsites use the big Delta table saws, for instance. I believe that they are still made in the USA which is a boon.

[Patrolman]

I think most of the newer presses are belt driven. I think that I would personally look for an older gear driven one. Other option to think about is getting a mill. You can then mill custom parts and use it as a drill press as well. Larger machine, but the people I know who have them would never go back.

[Cr33p3r]

For now I use my table top Delta, it does good for smaller stuff but definitely want a floor stand model with a deeper throat on it!

[scout man]

I was wondering about picking up an older one sean. I borrowed a neighbors craftsman drill press one day, and I simply could not get the belt tight enough to drill through steel. It just kept slipping through. This is kind of why I posted the thread. I would hate to buy one and find I still cant drill a 9/6 hole in 1/4" steel.

Online I have seen very good things about Delta presses.

[Brad]

If you can get in on one there are always industrial auctions which have this stuff Steve. I went to a couple with a old shady partner I had and the selection was impressive.

[Cr33p3r]

Mine does work great for larger holes only draw back is I cannot get a slower speed that it needs for larger bits like 3/4" and up but I just go slower and less pressure until it drills thew the steel. To this day I have not adjust the belt speed up to a faster selection, it has 4 speed settings. Have you checked on CL? I find some good ones on there a lot.

[scout man]

yea, Ive been looking on CL, and there seems to be a steady flow of good ones, just trying to figure out what I need and should look for before buying one.

[Fordguy77]

Steve, you might want to search around on this forum some. Its a pretty laid back machinist forum with loads of info on equipment and recommendations and such. I've used it a few times for some fab ideas, and equipment research.
Practical Machinist (http://www.practicalmachinist.com/)

[Fordguy77]

I personally have used just about every brand out there it seems. Having worked from the cheap shady contractor to the one who goes out and buys you whatever you request. And i will say that a lot of the higher end ones are nice, and have great "goodies" but id say most the mid range price, off brand ones work just as good with less "goodies". The lower end ones work ok, but to a point you get what you pay for it seems.

As far as drill bits as anything you get what you pay for. That being said it also depends on if your an excessive force full triggered drill it now guy, or more conservative with it'll drill when it drills half throttle type guy. A little LUBE goes a long way with drill bits though. Im personally not a fan of "Drill Bit Sharpeners" but rather of sharping them myself. If you have a bench grinder its the way to go, its not very hard to learn, and it works 100x than most drill bit sharpeners. Just make sure you have a small cup of oil or water to keep dipping the bit in so you don't re-temper the bit. If the tip turns blue you got it too hot.
Check out Wholesale Tool Industrial Equipment and Supply (http://www.wttool.com/index/page/product/product_id/23842/product_name/29-Piece+Production+Grade+Fractional+Jobber+Set+%28US A%29&update_continue_shopping=true) You can even filter there site for Made in USA or Imported if you like.

This is by far the best drilling lube i have ever used in my life. A little bit and i mean just dab the tip of the bit in to the fukes type little goes a long way! Its a little pricey but is the best stuff i have ever used. I believe its worth every penny for ease of drilling and drill bite life expectancy.
Accu-Lube (http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=327-7223)

[RockyMtnHigh]

I don't use mine for metal just woodworking, but I really like my Ridgid (Home Depot) stationary drill press: http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Power-Tools-Drill-Presses/h_d1/N-5yc1vZarc7/R-100037270/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 Again, I don't use it for metal, but I have used 3" Forstner Bits with it, in white oak and it doesn't slip.

My cabinet saw is a Grizzly which I like as well and I have heard some good things about several of their other tools, including the drill presses: http://www.grizzly.com/products/category.aspx?key=380000

[Brody]

Mine does work great for larger holes only draw back is I cannot get a slower speed that it needs for larger bits like 3/4" and up

You should be able to get a 110v rheostat and split the trigger line in the drill. Trigger runs the on/off, rheostat will control the speed. I have done that on a couple of different power tools for the same reason with some success, including some hand tools. Radio shack has this stuff. Most of them have a decent dial to turn and mount through a 1/4" hole.

Should actually be able to adjust the speed to some degree with the belt, but I have that same 4 speed belt adjustment on mine and haven't had good luck with it. Always seems to be 'off' what I actually want it to do.

[Patrolman]

Other thing to keep in mind is that Home Depot and Lowes both take the 20% off coupons from Harbor Freight on tools. If you find what you want new, that is a good option.

Also, the Ridgid tools have a lifetime warranty to the original owner. I burned up the motor in my table saw, and got it replaced at no charge. Also gone through a chuck and 2 batteries for the my cordless drill, replaced at no charge. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of their drill presses for the warranty.

[Popsgarage]

Steve, looked on Craigslist and found a couple that are good deals.

Floor stand.
http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/2702885960.html

It's a bench top model.
http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/2690832510.html

Really nice floor stand model.
http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/2714314061.html

Bench top.
http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/2699295605.html

Craftsman Radial Arm Drill Press. Title says it all.
http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/2686234043.html

Floor stand drill press, ancient. Delta. For a few bucks restore it and use the hell out of it.
http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/2660398901.html

[Patrolman]

Yeah, I forgot about the radial models. Those are COOL! Just too bad it isn't a floor stand style.

[RockyMtnHigh]

Also, the Ridgid tools have a lifetime warranty to the original owner. I burned up the motor in my table saw, and got it replaced at no charge. Also gone through a chuck and 2 batteries for the my cordless drill, replaced at no charge. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of their drill presses for the warranty.

Those table saws are nice, I have a couple of their tools in my shop besides the drill press, a jointer and oscillating spindle sander, as well as a couple of shop vacs and I like them. They're not crap tools with a lifetime warranty either, they are pretty nice to say the least. My next cordless drill and impact driver will more than likely be Ridgid after I burn up the DeWalts.

[Hypoid]

More than brand names, buy all the features you can afford. Having a table that adjusts with a crank is really nice, tilt is nice, extra light is nice. A bigger motor is a must for working steel.

We missed a good deal when Sean sold that milling machine. :frown:

[RockyMtnHigh]

You should be able to get a 110v rheostat and split the trigger line in the drill.

I had one of these that I intended to use for a router table http://www.harborfreight.com/router-speed-control-43060.html and never did it, got a new router with variable speed instead. :D

Anyway, I just tried it with the drill press and it works like a charm. On sale for $17.99 too!

Thanks for the tip Pete! :thumb:

[Patrolman]

Those table saws are nice, I have a couple of their tools in my shop besides the drill press, a jointer and oscillating spindle sander, as well as a couple of shop vacs and I like them. They're not crap tools with a lifetime warranty either, they are pretty nice to say the least. My next cordless drill and impact driver will more than likely be Ridgid after I burn up the DeWalts.

Agreed. I have their shop vac and other things too. When buying new, they are almost always the brand I use, except the occasional DeWalt. Not sure DeWalt makes a drill press though.

[Popsgarage]

My next cordless drill and impact driver will more than likely be Ridgid after I burn up the DeWalts.

Check out the Hilti 14 volt combo they sell at Home Depot. Well worth the almost $500 I paid for it and the warranty is second to none. Every bit as much power as the Dewalt or Rigid 18 volt. Battery life is as good as the 18's.

[Patrolman]

What is the warranty?

[Popsgarage]

Lifetime on everything, I'll verify that just to be sure. Love the Hilti stuff.

[Brody]

I had one of these that I intended to use for a router table http://www.harborfreight.com/router-...rol-43060.html and never did it, got a new router with variable speed instead.

Anyway, I just tried it with the drill press and it works like a charm. On sale for $17.99 too!

Thanks for the tip Pete!

You are welcome! That is a nice one, too. You can buy just the simple dial at Radio Shack, but then you have to figure something to mount it in or on. They have the cute little component boxes, but by the time you are done messing with all this, you might as well buy the Harbor Freight one and simply cut a couple of wires....Thanks for the link!

I have done that with a few different things, some hand held, some not. One tool I did it on was a 4 1/2 grinder when I needed to detune the 15,000rpms way down and didn't feel like buying another tool I was going to use one or two times. I just wired it into the power cord.

Wiring in one of these is no different than buying a tool with an 'adjustable' speed built into the trigger. The trigger is a rheostat...