Drill Press Help

H

hammertime99

Joined
Jan 6, 2015
Messages
23
I was looking at drill presses and I came across one that was said to be pretty good, but I don't know if it would be specifically good for knifemaking. So I thought I'd give it the blade forum test. The press is the SKIL 3320-01 120-Volt 10-Inch Drill Press.
If not, I'm open to suggestions of others, but I'd like it to be under $200.
 
I bought one of those a couple years ago and it was junk. It arrived with a crack in the base, and I couldn't get it to run without significant wobble. Maybe I received a dud, but it wasn't adequate for wood, let alone steel. The laser is an unnecessary gimmick in my opinion as well.

My grandfather ended up giving me an old drill press and its been great so far. I don't have any reccomendations for new models but you might be better off checking Craigslist and yard sales for an old solidly built one. Your money will go much further.
 
I have been beating on this for a year solid now. The first one had wobble. This one is mint. I have a JETT on the way this summer. But that said, I beat on this thing daily and it is great all around bench top drill press. Same with my band saw. Also bench top. I have a two speed buffer 1 1/2 HP I purchased online and a router table I built with a heavy duty old school Makita router. All said. About 500$ for a Starter shop. It payed for itself in the first week. Then upgrade. Except for things like drills, saw blades, router bits and guage pins. Those all need replacement more often.
Matt

$149


http://local.sears.com/Craftsman-Be...983000P?st=2343&sid=IDx20141117x00001xlpla#!/
 
If you can up your budget a bit the Porter Cable floor drill press available at Lowes for $319 is a decent drill press.
 
That's good to hear about the Sears $150 drill press; my son picked the same model for my Christmas gift, and so far it looks good. Older used tools are great, but not as easy to come by.
 
i'm picking up a Buffalo hopefully tmrw -

Buffalo Drill Press model # 18 with 1-1/2 hp Century Electric Motor, 115 or 230 volt, currently wired for 115 volt, 1725 rpm, new vibration free belt, 3/4 Jacobs chuck, chuck key, In great condition you can test it here. Estimated weight 250lb.

$400
 
I was in your shoes not too long ago and almost bought a craftsman 12in drill press, but instead took a few forum members advise and went the craigslist route. I scored a ridgid 15" DP for $90 and the guy threw in a DP vise. I'm super happy I waited.
 
brought this home yesterday
terribly heavy, took us an hour to waddle it over from the parking lot to the patio.

i'll take a mag base and dial indicator and check the runout soon. But I think it's pretty good.

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I would also be fairly weary of the Ryobi drill presses. (10 inch) The LED lights mounted in there are handy, but the plastic base holding the depth gauge tends to get broken. (I went through three of them at Home Depot before grabbing my personal one.) They are also fairly noisy, and the bolts started falling out of the motor mount during usage.

I'm half way ready to take it back, but I'm just sick of wasting time.

 
Hammertime99,

Just keep your eyes open for an old Buffalo, Sears or Delta. I picked up a 1942 Delta for $30, and it's more than adequate, and way better than the Chinese junk.
 
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