Recommendations on Drill Press

[JPatrickWinstead]

Time to buy a drill press. Anyone got any good recommendations?

I'm looking mostly at bench top models. The cost isn't so much of an issue - I'm certainly willing to pay for quality - but I use a dp so infrequently and place such modest demands on it that it seems like overkill to drop a grand on a big one. Besides, even the expensive ones (Powermatic) seem to get mixed reviews. Ideally I'd like a small but high quality one.

Specifically, I seem to be leaning toward the 12" Jet, although some of the Grizzly/Shop Fox stuff looks ok.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001O0D6OW/ref=pe_86520_25170720_pe_epc_dt4

Opinions? Horror stories?

 

[leakyroof]

Sorry no one has replied to you on this. I would have thought many people would add their opinions on a DP.
One problem with lower cost units is spotty build quality. I had a good mid-range Jet floor model for a few years. Other than a short quill travel it did all I wanted. But many people complain of run out, or other problems so it's nice to be able to see a machine in person.
Floor models have a small footprint, and don't need much headroom either. With them, you get more flexibility than a small bench top unit. Built-in lights are nice but one can always add on if the DP lacks it
3/4 HP is nice, but many people do OK with a 1/2 if using smaller bits.
Define your present needs and Possible Future needs too. This way you don't need to upgrade so fast if your working methods change in a few years. With drill presses, you can buy more than you need and not lose shop space like some other machinery.
Tables that raise and lower with a rack gear system are a real time saver since you can set your work on the table and use just one hand to crank your table to the needed height.
Grizzly, Delta, Steel City, and Jet have lots of fans in the price range you mentioned.  Jet and Grizzly probably have the largest range to choose from . I think Steel City only offers one model , but it has the easy to change Serpentine/ mini groove belts when compared to traditional V- belt pulley systems. Quill travel is supposed to be nice too.

 

[sgryd]

I returned my Hammer drill press for a JET JDP2800VS. I'm really happy that I made the switch. I wouldn't recommend the Hammer to anyone. The JET, I'd recommend to everyone. It's a bit pricey though.
//Michael

 

[RONWEN]

It seems as far as "bench top" drills presses, I suppose for weight, etc. companies downsize most everything & create a product with many limitations (as opposed to a floor model).
In the scheme of things a floor model doesn't really take much more "foot print" from your shop but certainly offers much greater capacity and features.
If there is a compelling reason for the drill press to set on your bench you could certainly shorten the column on a floor model that fits you needs. 

 

[leakyroof]

It seems as far as "bench top" drills presses, I suppose for weight, etc. companies downsize most everything & create a product with many limitations (as opposed to a floor model).
In the scheme of things a floor model doesn't really take much more "foot print" from your shop but certainly offers much greater capacity and features.
If there is a compelling reason for the drill press to set on your bench you could certainly shorten the column on a floor model that fits you needs. 

  Great minds think alike... [big grin]

 

[JPatrickWinstead]

Thanks, guys. I ended up running into a carpenter that I work with now and then, and he said he had an old Delta/Rockwell sitting in his basement. So he essentially gave it to me. Well, long-term loan. It needed some love - new switch and a lot of rust cleanup - but it's a nice little machine. It'll work fine, for a while, at least.