Recommendation? Drill press

D

Dmitry5

Joined
Nov 6, 2017
Messages
32
Hello,

I am looking to upgrade my cheap Home Depot drill press. Its a 10 in Skil model. My biggest issue with it is not even so much low power but rather the wobble of the drill bit once it starts rotating.

I would like something table top due to space restriction but could go for a floor model as well. Any recs for a better quality, affordable machine?

TIA,
Dmitry
 
Have you tried removing the chuck/shank and resetting it? I bought a floor model porter cable from lowes and it was doing the same thing. I removed the shank a few times and reset it, fixed..
 
My Grizzly G7943 has been a good drill press for the money. Available in a floor model as well if that's your preference. Been in use since 2013 with no issues.

Plkjhag.jpg
 
Adam Buttry said:
My Grizzly G7943 has been a good drill press for the money. Available in a floor model as well if that's your preference. Been in use since 2013 with no issues.

Plkjhag.jpg
Click to expand...
I have one of these also and would recommend them as well. Current price from Grizzly is $425 plus shipping. They've gone up in price quite a bit since I bought mine but still a good deal.
 
also, sometimes something will stick to the 3 jaws that close around the drill bit inside the chuck, and make it wobble. unplug the machine, open the chuck all the way and stick your little finger in there and see if you feel anything on the surfaces that hold the drill bit.
 
I have been considering a drill press purchase too. My criteria is lots of choices for speeds especially slow enough for metal, big motor, ability to make fine adjustments to tram the table. Space is an issue for me too, but these two on the top of my list are floor standing and a very tall bench top

The Porter Cable 8 Amp 12 speed floor drill press is an amazing price at Lowes $329
This 7.5Amp 16 speed from Harbor Freight is another
 
Has anyone used the new Jet 716000 bench top drill press? It has a mechanical variable speed with a DRO. Looks like the ticket for a newer affordable bench top.
 
Last edited:
Adam Buttry said:
seanj seanj
Wow, $425 plus shipping eh? My memory is fuzzy, but I'm pretty certain that mine was around $350 shipped 6 years ago. Crazy.
Click to expand...
I know. I paid $329 plus shipping for mine just two years ago. Unfortunately they are made in China and with the tariff wars...this is what happens. A very good product for made in China
 
Thank you for the replies. I could not get the chuck off with available tools. I should probably go to Harbor freight and get the ball joint separator from them. It’s worth $10.

Grizzly looks perfect but at least reviews on Amazon show many people complaining about severe chuck wobble. If it comes here and it’s not great, returning it is a huge pain in the butt.

I am leaning toward getting a porter cable from Lowe’s and if it’s not good just bringing it back.
 
I’d also keep an eye out for old steel in the local classifieds. Obviously you’ll want to be wary of completely clapped out machines, but if it was taken care of, there are good deals to be had.
 
Dmitry5 said:
Thank you for the replies. I could not get the chuck off with available tools. I should probably go to Harbor freight and get the ball joint separator from them. It’s worth $10.

Grizzly looks perfect but at least reviews on Amazon show many people complaining about severe chuck wobble. If it comes here and it’s not great, returning it is a huge pain in the butt.

I am leaning toward getting a porter cable from Lowe’s and if it’s not good just bringing it back.
Click to expand...
My porter cable floor model has been great, used a lot in the past year and drills nice and straight. Just had the initial wobble because it didn’t seat properly when I assembled, but after resetting it there was no more.. they make a special tool to remove the shaft btw
 
Dmitry5 said:
Thank you for the replies. I could not get the chuck off with available tools. I should probably go to Harbor freight and get the ball joint separator from them. It’s worth $10.

Grizzly looks perfect but at least reviews on Amazon show many people complaining about severe chuck wobble. If it comes here and it’s not great, returning it is a huge pain in the butt.

I am leaning toward getting a porter cable from Lowe’s and if it’s not good just bringing it back.
Click to expand...
The chuck that comes with the Grizzly is not the best but it is decent. I didn't experience the severe chuck wobble some have reported. However after almost abusing the chuck (lets just say I tried to use the drill press for something it wasn't really intended for) it did develop a serious wobble. I then replaced the chuck with a Southwest Bend chuck for about $40.00 and it now runs as smooth as silk with almost zero run-out.

The Porter Cable may fit your needs. I looked at the Porter Cable myself and almost bought one, but then settled on the Grizzly because it seems to me to be sturdier.
 
A decent keyless chuck will make any cheap drill press better. Jet or Grizzly are the only new imports I consider.
 
Last edited:
Both Jet and Grizzly are manufactured by GeeTech in Taiwan (Not China) and are top quality for imports.
 
A.McPherson said:
Depends who you ask... pretty sure China thinks that Taiwan is China. :D

I do get the point though!
Click to expand...
RIGHT!!! I seem to have a little more faith in products from Taiwan.....As a Retired machinest I've seen the difference in machine castings fit and finish over the years Taiwan is better although a wee bit more expensive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top