I need a new drill press

[Atlas Knife Company]

My 5 year old HF is way to fast for metal. Slowest speed on it is 620 rpm. Can someone recommend one that has a better speed range for a tabletop size?

 

[Remyrw]

I'm curious about this too. My next shop tool will be a drill press, hopefully this month since the lack of one is going to delay a couple things and limit options on others. I'd rather a small mill, but would rather afford a decent press than a cheapo mill.

 

[WDZ Knives]

jet makes one that goes down to 200 and is a tabletop model. It runs for $449 off of the links on the Jet Tools webpage to the resellers.

http://www.jetwilton.com/us/manufacturing/en/product.html?node=4617&product=89238

 

[Don Hanson III]

I use a small Jet, much better than the other imports. Can be found for less $ than the price above.
Another option, is find and older USA machine.

 

[go mike]

This one is used near you for only $100. It has good reviews on Amazon too.
http://desmoines.craigslist.org/tls/1824754239.html

From Amazon... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000IZC28U

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

It states that it will go to 620 rpm. Is this slow enough for metal? I thought I needed something in the 150-300 rpm range?

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

I just checked and the slowest speed on my 5-speed HF is 620 rpm also. While that is a great drill press close by and I might get it anyway for home, I still think I need something slower for drilling metal.

 

[gixxer]

For the sake of conversation your speed really depends on the diameter of the bit. Although it is not ideal my benchtop drill press does 600 something also. Drilling 1/8" holes is fine with coolant, but over 1/2 it gets hairy. I got one of those one flute step drills and it works pretty sweet in 1/8 stock or less for fractional holes.

Just throwing this out there, how big of a hole do you think you will ever need to drill?

You can use higher speeds to drill bigger holes if your setup is rigid, you have stuff clamped good, and use a lot of coolant.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

I had a project over the last week(between rain storms) of installing steps on my deck. I used solid 2x12 stringers and 2"x12" treads supported with 1"x1"x1/8" stainless angle for the supports. I had to cut thirty 8" brackets out of stainless and drill five 3/16" holes in each bracket. I used up my cheap blade that came with the portaband but it did the job. However, I went through 18 drill bits drilling all the holes. I used the 10 pack of 3/16" TiN coated from HF. It could be that they were just cheap bits, but everything I read shows that I should be drilling about 300 rpm for stainless. Yes, I was using cutting fluid. After a few bits, I started using ice to cool the bit down and got about twice as many holes from each bit as a result.

I don't expect to ever drill anything bigger than 1/2", but it would be nice to be able to slow it down a bit and cut a little smoother.

I could tell when the bit was getting dull because it would start throwing chips of metal instead of the nice spirals it makes when the bit it new and sharp.

 

[go mike]

It seems that MOST benchtop drill presses go down to ~600 rpm. However, if you could afford the space and extra cost, a floor model press can go down to < 300 rpm easier.

Most benchtops are 5 speed, while floor models are 12.

 

[richard thurman]

sears has them try there.

 

[balibalistic]

Get a small variable speed motor/controller and have from 0-1720 rpm. would be easy to do.

 

[Mr. Bad Example]

HF has a $129 benchtop that goes down to 250--had I know about needing a slow speed for steel, I would have paid the extra for one rather than the 5 speed 650 rpm ultra-cheap one I did buy. I've ended up having to use my hand-held Dewalt to do bigger holes, even with cobalt bits.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-speed-bench-top-drill-press-44836.html

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

Perfect, exactly what I need. Thanks, example! At least the ultra-cheap one was, well, ultra-cheap.

 

[Fellhoelter]

Yep, that 12 speed from HF is the only one to buy from them.
250 rpm, and a morse taper in the spindle.

Wonderful little drill for the price.
Especially when it goes on sale for $100

I own 3.

 

[OneOneBravo]

I am new to this and was thinking of getting a PORTER-CABLE 15" Floor Drill Press with Laser Guide and Light. http://www.lowes.com/pd_78742-46069-PCB660DP_0_?productId=3162489&Ntt=drill+press&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=drill%20press$y=0$x=0 Do any of you have any advice on this? Thank you very much.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to change a pulley?

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

For the sake of conversation your speed really depends on the diameter of the bit. Although it is not ideal my benchtop drill press does 600 something also. Drilling 1/8" holes is fine with coolant, but over 1/2 it gets hairy. I got one of those one flute step drills and it works pretty sweet in 1/8 stock or less for fractional holes.

Just throwing this out there, how big of a hole do you think you will ever need to drill?

You can use higher speeds to drill bigger holes if your setup is rigid, you have stuff clamped good, and use a lot of coolant.

:thumbup:


Yup. I think you are spot on.

I had some 3/4" holes to drill 2" deep in 4150 this weekend. I slowed it down to 425 RPM for that. Chinese drill bit too...

A 3/8" bit would have been turned 850 RPM.

600 RPM is not too fast for the holes required to build most knives.

 

[OneOneBravo]

Anyone?

 

[mxlj]

HF has a $129 benchtop that goes down to 250--had I know about needing a slow speed for steel, I would have paid the extra for one rather than the 5 speed 650 rpm ultra-cheap one I did buy. I've ended up having to use my hand-held Dewalt to do bigger holes, even with cobalt bits.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-speed-bench-top-drill-press-44836.html

dont forget a 20% off harbor freightcoupon and get the drill press for $103 instead of $129.99.

http://www.retailmenot.com/view/harborfreight.com