Drill Press

[Tom Ryan]

I'm looking for suggestions on a small, light-weight drill press. 

I recently moved, and expect to move again within 5 years.  I currently have a Delta 12" variable speed benchtop drill press that I haven't moved yet to the new house.  It's heavy and awkward for an older guy to handle (I'm closer to 70 than 60 -- scary thought!).  Also, if I put it on a stand with wheels, it's a bit top heavy.  I'd like to have as many of my tools under 44 lbs (20 kg) as possible, but I'll go a bit higher for a few important tools.

Two drill presses I've considered are (1) the Grizzly "baby"  8" drill press, and (2) the Delta 10" benchtop drill press.  The Grizzly meets my goal weight, but seems awfully small.  The Delta weighs 50% more, but is do-able.

Any comment on these or other drill presses would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Scott W.]

Hi Tom,

Can you give a little more info? What are you going to use it for? Do you need high precision, capacity?

Is your concern with a mobile base just moving it while in the shop? If so, they make bases that are very stable and raise / lower with a foot peddle. I have one on my 15" planer which is very top heavy and it is very stable when moving and while in use.

Here is a similar one to what I use for the planer.

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Scott W.

 

[Tom Ryan]

Hi Scott,

I'm a hobby woodworker -- I do everything from little treasure boxes to kitchen cabinets to furniture.  Before I bought the Delta 12" drill press I had a little sort-of-drill press which used my corded drill for power and chuck.  I needed something both more precise and with more capacity than the little thing.  The 12" drill press may be more than I need -- I've run into limits on capacity a few times, but in those cases only a truly HUGE drill press would have done the job.

In terms of the top heavy problem, I'm mostly worried when I'm rolling the drill press around.

I hope this helps clarify my needs.  Thanks for asking.

Tom in SE Pennsylvania

 

[Scott W.]

Tom, I've had good luck with Grizzly tools in the past but I have never seen that small DP.
I had a small delta radial drill press & it has ben okay.

You may want to check ennco also web site

Scott W.

 

[Wonderwino]

I've had a floor model Jet drill press for about 15 years.  I mounted it on an HTC mobile base, which was a little wobbly when moving it.  I solved that by expanding the footprint of the mobile base and making a 3/4" plywood platform to support the drill press which I bolted to it.  That also gave space to add storage for accessories on the base.  I really like the Jet; it came with a mortising set at the time and has a built in worklight.  It is pretty smooth and has a workable depth-stop.  I built an auxiliary table with an adjustable fence that has become a permanent fixture.  Just 2 cents.