Can anyone recommend a good quality drill press that is capable of performing your basic/common woodworking tasks? I’ve done a search on the forum for drill presses but nothing comes up that i’m looking for except for the Teknatool Nova drill press thats $1500. I wish i could afford it, it seems like its the cats meow, best of the best but Im thinking about spending less that, under $700 or so.
Drill Press Recommendation
- Thread starter ForumMFG
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The NOVA is the cat's meow, no doubt. The price though high, is competitive in my view.
How about its new benchtop cousin the Viking ? It's a grand.
I think the problem you'll find is that $700 doesn't get you a whole lot of oooo, wow or features. Do you need or want big capacity that a floor standing unit offers ? For a $700 budget (or less), I'd be looking for a used powermatic or delta floor model with a reeves drive. Something with a 3pahse motor might be had for less and you could add VFD for variable speed control.
How about its new benchtop cousin the Viking ? It's a grand.
I think the problem you'll find is that $700 doesn't get you a whole lot of oooo, wow or features. Do you need or want big capacity that a floor standing unit offers ? For a $700 budget (or less), I'd be looking for a used powermatic or delta floor model with a reeves drive. Something with a 3pahse motor might be had for less and you could add VFD for variable speed control.
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Have you considered a used DP? Check on Craig's List or Faceboook Marketplace and see what's out there.
As an example I picked up two drill presses in the past three years off CL. The first is a Delta 17-965 16-1/2" for $120. Gentleman was moving to FL and selling out his whole shop. DP looked to be barely used even though it was about 10 years old. No rust and tight so I brought it home. Never did put it to use as I was planning to drag it down in the basement shop but then I happened on a benchtop DP so I bought that too. The Delta is still sitting in my shed waiting for some attention. I already have a DP in the garage shop so I wasn't going to swap them out. I will probably hang on to it for another year or two. By then my SIL will be out of the service and he may want it. if not I'll sell it.
The second is a 12" Craftsman benchtop DP and since it's not a main DP It's fine for the basement shop. Has built-in laser cross-hair, LED work light, digital depth gauge that reads in metric or imperial. The 1/2" chuck is decent and this DP too is in excellent shape. Sold new for ~$299, I got it for $100. I find changing the speed slightly more difficult than my other DP, but that's the only gripe I have after 2 years.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2007/07/01/21914-benchtop-drill-press-review
My point is they are out there, just have to keep looking and wait for a good deal then pounce on it. How much will you use a DP. Do you need a $700 machine. Even if you can afford it why not find something a year or two old for half the price and put the savings into another tool.
As an example I picked up two drill presses in the past three years off CL. The first is a Delta 17-965 16-1/2" for $120. Gentleman was moving to FL and selling out his whole shop. DP looked to be barely used even though it was about 10 years old. No rust and tight so I brought it home. Never did put it to use as I was planning to drag it down in the basement shop but then I happened on a benchtop DP so I bought that too. The Delta is still sitting in my shed waiting for some attention. I already have a DP in the garage shop so I wasn't going to swap them out. I will probably hang on to it for another year or two. By then my SIL will be out of the service and he may want it. if not I'll sell it.
The second is a 12" Craftsman benchtop DP and since it's not a main DP It's fine for the basement shop. Has built-in laser cross-hair, LED work light, digital depth gauge that reads in metric or imperial. The 1/2" chuck is decent and this DP too is in excellent shape. Sold new for ~$299, I got it for $100. I find changing the speed slightly more difficult than my other DP, but that's the only gripe I have after 2 years.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2007/07/01/21914-benchtop-drill-press-review
My point is they are out there, just have to keep looking and wait for a good deal then pounce on it. How much will you use a DP. Do you need a $700 machine. Even if you can afford it why not find something a year or two old for half the price and put the savings into another tool.
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cubevandude
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I'd look for an older Buffalo/Canadian Blower and Forge 18 Drill Press. These are very nice machines.
If you happen to find one with a 3 phase motor in 220V you can put a phase convertor on it for variable speed.
Here's nice painted one:http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=34563
If you happen to find one with a 3 phase motor in 220V you can put a phase convertor on it for variable speed.
Here's nice painted one:http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=34563
There are tons of Asian made DP’s available in that price range. Don’t over complicate it, you don’t have to spend an arm an a leg. Look for 12-16 speeds, with a low end around 200 rpms, a wide table and a 3/4” hp motor. Leave a little room in the budget ($50-100) to put a nice chuck on it and call it done.
The extra money gets you whiz bang features or something built for industrial use.
Here is one with one whiz bang feature I would love, variable speed (no belt fiddling). The one con is the short quill travel (under 4”). I would prefer greater than 4”. 6” is hard to come by on a budget, but not impossible. Rikon tools are available for 10-15% off at various stores periodically if you can wait.
https://www.woodcraft.com/products/12-vs-drill-press
The extra money gets you whiz bang features or something built for industrial use.
Here is one with one whiz bang feature I would love, variable speed (no belt fiddling). The one con is the short quill travel (under 4”). I would prefer greater than 4”. 6” is hard to come by on a budget, but not impossible. Rikon tools are available for 10-15% off at various stores periodically if you can wait.
https://www.woodcraft.com/products/12-vs-drill-press
FestitaMakool
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Hi,
I don’t know if Bosch PBD40 is available in the US.
The drill press is in fact quite ok. A good set of features, two speed gear box, adjustable speed with electronic power control.
I have heard a few exchanging the bearing on the shaft, improving precision.
For the DIY’er it is a very nice and compact alternative to larger belt driven.
It can quickly be fastened to a table, seconds later stowed away.
Just a suggestion! [smile]
I don’t know if Bosch PBD40 is available in the US.
The drill press is in fact quite ok. A good set of features, two speed gear box, adjustable speed with electronic power control.
I have heard a few exchanging the bearing on the shaft, improving precision.
For the DIY’er it is a very nice and compact alternative to larger belt driven.
It can quickly be fastened to a table, seconds later stowed away.
Just a suggestion! [smile]
ForumMFG said:
Almost any drill press in the range of or even under $300 can do that. In all my woodworking life, I've relied on a bench top drill press ($100 (?) bought new 20 years ago or so), and have had no plans to upgrade it. It has served me well from pen turning (blanks) to furniture making to precision drilling (but make sure the table is perpendicular to the chuck/drill if you ever use it for angled work -- I usually don't use it for angled drilling: see photo. Here, I was making corner braces for a dining table).
As someone has pointed out, a used DP is a good option (as long as the table can be set perpendicular to the drill, which is not always the case with worn machines/fixtures).
Of course, if you want laser functions, non-pulley variable speeds, digital read-out, mortising, floor model, etc., the story is different.
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My first cheapo Drill Press was a Harbor Freight 10" 12speed bench top model. I put it together and bolted it to the stand I built. The run-out was excessive. Got rid of that and then purchased a WEN 4212 Variable Speed Drill press. I think I paid $177 delivered to my front porch. No belt changing to increase or decrease RPM's. On this model, you simply move a lever and RPM's move to whatever speed you want (530-3100) which is displayed on a Digital Readout. It even has a laser "X" which indicates where your drill bit will center. Great machine but the quality control on the machine needs improving. During assembly, I found a threaded hole was stripped. I chased it with a TAP and fixed it. All in All, It's a great benchtop drill press for home use.ForumMFG said:
junk731
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One thing thats often overlooked is the stroke of the quill with the most being under 4". IMHO look for a 17" machine with a 6" stroke whether new or used. Its ideal for woodworking. I've had a Steel City 17" DP for the last 10 years that was extremely reasonable in price when new. Don't know if they are still made but might be worth checking. I just upgrade to the Teknatool Nova recently. Its a nice machine but I still have to put it through its paces.
