Powermatic Drill press?

[3PedalMINI]

anyone have it? i know darlingtonfarm did a review on it.

Im in need of a drillpress, need it for various custom AV projects coming up and it would be handy to have a REAL drill press for around the home. Any long standing issues with it? greatest tool next to festools you can buy?

better alternatives for less $$? am i crazy?  [eek]  [tongue]

Thanks Guys! looking to make a purchase before years end for tax reasons

 

[Samo]

Drill press is a must have tool.   [cool]

I have a bench top and a 16-17" floor standing one.  Using these tools so long that they have earned the original purchase price many times over.

Powermatic has made some nice equipment in the past.  I wish mine had laser cross hairs on them.

Going forward now days, thing are changing and I would recommend buying from a local reputable dealer and testing equipment carefully in case you need to return it.

The customer service with JET-POWERMATIC is not like Festools.  I think they try but the build quality is just not always there at the competitive level they are pricing to.  

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?201328-Powermatic-PM2800B-Drill-Press-Review

 

[copcarcollector]

I have the JET JDP-17DX 17-Inch Wood Drill Press

I have used it very little but one reason I bought it was for the lasers. I also have the Woodpeckers add on drill press table (still in the box!)

Anyhow, good luck with your search and purchase.

 

[TomGadwa1]

I have a Delta that I am pleased with. The new Powermatic looks very nice.

 

[SittingElf]

While researching what I would replace my cheapo Grizzly 17" DP I previously owned in my quest to fill my shop with "Lifelong Tools", it came down to deciding between two models.
1. Powermatic 2800B
2. Delta 18-900L

I initially was leaning towards the PM, but then started seeing a number of reviews and posts on various forums that indicated that quite a number of people had a range of problems with the 2800B.  This was concerning, because the problems were not all related to a single issue, but were varied. To be fair, a lot of people liked their mustard machine, and many recommend it.

On the other hand, the reviews on the Delta were overwhelmingly positive with very few complaints, and most of those were owners whose machines originally were delivered with runout issues....but for the most part few in number.

The PM has digital speed control which was an attractive feature, but on the other hand, the Delta's belt changing system was designed to be fast and easy, and the innovative tensioning system allows the Drill Press to be placed virtually against a wall without having to make space for a motor tracked tensioning system (think Kapex). The PM is a good looking machine, and clearly one of only a few at the top of the DP food chain.  Decent sized table and good construction. Then again, the same can be said for the less expensive Delta.

Finally, the Delta was clearly designed for woodworking vs metalwork. Big table, Biesmeyer Fence (option), wide and stable floor base, wide range of speed settings, solid construction, and cheaper than the PM. Amazon $949 with free liftgate shipping in less than a week
The result is that I am extremely pleased with the Delta. Installation was painless and I did not have any runout issues at all. The Lasers are 100% accurate and the LED gooseneck light works perfectly for my purposes. The machine is very stable and feels solid. It unquestionably meets the criteria in my "Lifelong" tools quest. It is a joy to work with and I would recommend it strongly to others.

Delta 18-900L Product Page from Delta Machinery Site

Cheers,

Frank  [smile]

 

[Bikeboy80]

I've been using one of the harbor freight models for awhile now with no complaints.  I don't use it real often but it was well worth the $70 I paid for it!

 

[RONWEN]

I bought the new model Powermatic DP for a few reasons -- 6" of spindle travel, lower RPM range on the variable speed and a very solid tilting table.  I like it very much.

 

[No Clue]

I picked up the powermatic about a month ago. I had originally ordered the Delta from amazon back in september and I'm sure I would have been very happy with it. Unfortunately, it was on backorder at the time and I really needed it for a project I was working on. By the end of November, it was still on backorder with no release date and I got the powermatic. I am happy with it (except for the part where I paid an extra $400) and don't regret getting it. I like the easy to set up variable speed and the large table. It seems to be of a very high quality. Of course after I received it, the Delta came off of backorder.
I think both are pretty nice DP's.

 

[leer]

I bought the new model Powermatic DP for a few reasons -- 6" of spindle travel, lower RPM range on the variable speed and a very solid tilting table.  I like it very much.

The 6" of quill travel would be a real plus for me.  (Although I just looked at the info on the Delta that SittingElf referenced, and it too has 6" of quill travel). I have a benchtop drill press and it is OK for most things, but sometimes you just run out of space to drill a tall object, and also a lack of drill depth.  The Powermatic and the Delta both look to be good choices.

I have a Powermatic bandsaw and I am very happy with it.  And my benchtop drill press is a Delta, so I think I'd be happy with either.