drill press questions.

[CGT80]

I have finally started to use the milling machine more, that my dad and brother have. It sits in the garage I use. It is just a cheapy harbor freight vertical mill with a round mast. With a decent chuck it is an awesome drill press. I do some milling on occasion as well. I think they picked it up for $600 bucks used and then swapped out the 3 phase motor for a 2 hp baldor 220v motor. Now I wish they had used a VFD instead, so that the speed could be controlled electronically and mechanically.

I know it is probably outside your budget, and the milling machines are pretty big compared to a drill press, but I never knew how much I could utilize a mill. I have a small benchtop harbor freight drill press. It is ok, but bigger is better...........it is easier on the user and cutting tools to use a machine that has the right speed, torque, and downward force.

 

[ashman]

what do you guys think of this one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/16-speed-floor-drill-press-43389.html

20% off coupon puts it at $300.

 

[ryoken]

can't say I'm a fan of anything HF sells with an electric motor...

jackstands, even the 20 ton press, sure I'll give it a shot.. but everything electric related I've seen from em was cr@p...

 

[imiceman44]

can't say I'm a fan of anything HF sells with an electric motor...

jackstands, even the 20 ton press, sure I'll give it a shot.. but everything electric related I've seen from em was cr@p...

I had bad luck with their small drill but I have one of their big drill presses and I like it.

 

[ryoken]

I just know all the orange, handtool, Chicago electric saws, die grinders, right angle grinders for 10 to 20 bucks are complete crap.. my one boss buy's that sh*t...

I know people have had reasonable success with their cheap horizontal bandsaw with a dif blade and some tweaks, so it is conceivable..

still I'm much more of a fan of finding a 30 yr old Delta, Rockwell, etc one on CL for $100 or less on this one... it's a drill press, pretty common tool...

 

[ashman]

still I'm much more of a fan of finding a 30 yr old Delta, Rockwell, etc one on CL for $100 or less on this one... it's a drill press, pretty common tool...

I agree that would be ideal, but I'm not having much luck in my area.

 

[ryoken]

I can sympathize.. I'm hunting used killer horizontal bandsaws... distance is #1

 

[bigjbear]

I know people have had reasonable success with their cheap horizontal bandsaw with a dif blade and some tweaks, so it is conceivable..

With a good blade and a little effort it works quite well. Out of the box, good luck with getting a straight cut. I've got one with an Enco label, but its the same saw. If I've got a bunch of tube or bar to cut its still my go to.

still I'm much more of a fan of finding a 30 yr old Delta, Rockwell, etc one on CL for $100 or less on this one... it's a drill press, pretty common tool...

If you are patient this probably the best route to take. If you need one right away, the the floor model with the large square table is solid option for home user. Just make sure you get the chuck mounted solidly.

 

[fabjunkie]

I've for the small hf one and it's been good for everything I've used it for. I had to tighten the pulley to shaft nut when I first got it as it wasn't even finger tight. I've done 5/8 holes with it but 1/2 is about it's max.

 

[ashman]

I ended up buying the one I linked above. The one you recommended with the big square table was 1/2 again as much and I just couldn't justify it. The one I bought is one step down from that. Hopefully it doesn't bite me in the ass.

So far it's lightyears better than nothing at all. :P