Wood Working Drill Press

[Craftsman71]

I have been in the market for several years for a floor stand Drill Press and had my eye on the Jet 17" however that has since been replaced with the Jet JDP-17DX model.  The older Jet had phonemail reviews and this newer one I am not getting a good feeling about.  My local Woodcraft has the new one in stock and I have played with it a little and it seems fine.  I am wondering if anyone has the new Jet and what there feelings are about the new model.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=44080]Craftsman71[/member] where are you located?

 

[Craftsman71]

Dallas Texas

 

[rvieceli]

For drill presses, I much prefer old US made iron instead of the imported stuff mostly available today. Being in a major Metropolitan area, you may be able to cruise Craigslist, check some industrial supply places and find something.

There is currently a 17 inch Walker-Turner on the Dallas Craigslist. seems a bit pricy though.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/tls/5437332737.html

This Buffalo is also a nice machine.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/tls/5374663357.html

You might also want to take a look athttp://www.plazamachinery.com/ Joe has a nice collection of used presses, mostly US made Delta/Rockwell.

Ron

 

[Jamestoolie]

I have been in the market for several years for a floor stand Drill Press and had my eye on the Jet 17" however that has since been replaced with the Jet JDP-17DX model.  The older Jet had phonemail reviews and this newer one I am not getting a good feeling about.  My local Woodcraft has the new one in stock and I have played with it a little and it seems fine.  I am wondering if anyone has the new Jet and what there feelings are about the new model.

Fine Woodworking recently did  a full size drill press test.  Delta's new 18-900L was best pick.  They tested 10 drill presses but there wasn't a jet or powermatic model tested.  I have had a jet 15" 3/4 hp bench top drill press for ten years and it has been a work horse.  I have a number of Jet tools and have never been disappointed. 

 

[rmwarren]

For drill presses, I much prefer old US made iron instead of the imported stuff mostly available today. Being in a major Metropolitan area, you may be able to cruise Craigslist, check some industrial supply places and find something.

There is currently a 17 inch Walker-Turner on the Dallas Craigslist. seems a bit pricy though.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/tls/5437332737.html

This Buffalo is also a nice machine.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/tls/5374663357.html

You might also want to take a look athttp://www.plazamachinery.com/ Joe has a nice collection of used presses, mostly US made Delta/Rockwell.

Ron

I'll second Ron's recommendation, for a drill press I would take the time to haunt CL or other classified sources and buy an old Delta/Walker Turner/Buffalo. You can often saved hundreds and get a much better machine. My little Delta is much better built than new benchtop machines and it cost me $100 and an hours drive. Still had the cardboard tube over the post and it is probably 50+ years old.

Just my  [2cents]

RMW

 

[Peter_C]

I am another one that likes old American iron, and will add in Powermatic. Also check Ebay and use the zip code locator for anything being sold in your area.

 

[RobNJ]

I had my eye on the Jet as well but got a little scared - even though you can probably get it for 15% off with the sale Tool Nut is running.  As much as I would have liked to stalk Craig's List and restore an old machine, I found it easiest to buy the Porter Cable  PCB660DP from Lowe's.  So far, so good for less than $300.  I haven't put it through the full paces yet but it has done everything I've asked of it.  At some point, it'll need a better table for woodworking, but it seems to have plenty of power and very little runout.

 

[ben_r_]

Went with a Delta 18-900L myself. Been awesome. I read too many issues with the Powermatics and that was really the only other one I was considering.

 

[Peter_C]

Went with a Delta 18-900L myself. Been awesome. I read too many issues with the Powermatics and that was really the only other one I was considering.

There are some features on that Delta I like, and wished my Wilton had.

I hadn't heard many negatives at all on Powermatics, and in fact read mostly praises. My Powermatic equipment is solid. I do want a Walker-Turner bandsaw though. Often there is quality equipment to be found that just wasn't used much at all.

 

[Drich]

I have a Delta that is about 15 years old and love it. For woodworking you can't beat a variable speed unit that you don't have to play with belts all the time to change the speed. I can drill a pilot hole at 1500 rpm and fast as I can changed the bit in the chuck I can slow it down to 250 rpm for a large hole saw bit. Spend the extra cash and be set for a life time.

 

[Mort]

For a standup unit I'm jonesing for that Powermatic. But I have a microscopic shop so I'll probably wait until next month when Jet releases their redesigned bench unit that looks like the 17" floor model.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I have an Atlas, Walker Turner, Chas Allen, few deltas, plus a couple others.

Hard to beat a nice old DP.  I have slo-speed set ups on a couple of them.

 

[powertoolss]

I have this one PORTER-CABLE C2002. Anybody can try this.