Drill Press Options

[blazininthe73]

There hasn't been a drill press post for a few months so I figured I'd revisit it.

I don't drill anything over 1/2" steel up to about a 5/8" hole usually. What hp rating should I look for in a drill press? I've been looking at Harbor Freight and Northern Tool. Looks like I can get a 16 speed 3/4 hp between $200-300. Will these do the job for a weekend wanna-be fabber?

Any good deals or coupons out there?

 

[Smokinthehippies]

nortyhern tool sent me an email this week for 60% off & free shipping on some items. i just got like a $600 xmas list from there, got the $140 drill press coming, should fit my bill as long as it dont die on me.

 

[4X4HIGH]

I would look for a used Rockwell or the older Delta drill press. Rockwell later became Delta. I found a Rockwell/Delta for $60.00 on e-bay and it just happened to be local enough that I drove to pick it up an hour away. Mine is only a 1/2hp and does everything I ask of it. Mine has a 1/2" chuck but if you need to drill a larger hole and don't have a drill bit with the step shank you can easily change the drill chuck to a larger one. They just don't make quality drill presses anymore without spending a fortune on them but you can still find good deals on the older ones like I did.

 

[dhcomp]

I would look for a used Rockwell or the older Delta drill press. Rockwell later became Delta. I found a Rockwell/Delta for $60.00 on e-bay and it just happened to be local enough that I drove to pick it up an hour away. Mine is only a 1/2hp and does everything I ask of it. Mine has a 1/2" chuck but if you need to drill a larger hole and don't have a drill bit with the step shank you can easily change the drill chuck to a larger one. They just don't make quality drill presses anymore without spending a fortune on them but you can still find good deals on the older ones like I did.

X2. Go used, all the way. Craigslist is your friend.

 

[rick88blaze]

I picked up this one 2 years ago from Tractor Supply and I haven't had any problems with it so far. CLICK

I've drilled through 1/2" steel with no issues at all. Just use a good drill bit and lots of oil and slow speed.