Request Drill Press Recommendations

E

eefbbe

Joined
Jul 17, 2015
Messages
2
After 30 yrs., stopped making knives (mostly fixed blade) and sold most of my equipment. Compulsion has returned. Going to major in folders this time. Would appreciate recommendations regarding small drill press to buy just for folders. Cost is an issue.

Thanks for any help.

eefbbe
 
Welcome to Bladeforums!

Tech Support is for website questions like where to post and how to show photos. I moved your question to Shop Talk.
 
I suggest you keep your eye out on Craigslist for a used machine. From what I've found, all the new small bench type models are made in the same factory in China and lack in quality. If you can find an old Delta, Craftsman, Powermatic or such, you will be miles ahead of what you can buy new.

This video says it all for me:

[video=youtube;_aotdl-8MwQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aotdl-8MwQ[/video]
 
If you ever plan on using a 1/16" bit make sure the chuck will grip a bit that small. Ask me how I know!
 
Use the search function on craigslist daily to look for a big Delta. Go for a floor model 14". I found one on there for super cheap and it's awesome. It's amazing what you can find on there. You just have to be patient, diligent about checking every day, and quick on the trigger when you find something good.
 
hey 1/16 is big
need chuck from 0 up
How did you find out ?
ps :tape on the shank don't work
 
Sigourney, Hamilton, Avey, Vigor, Electro Mechano, etc. precision sensitive bench drills.

Anything without a tilting table ideally.

Micro Mills make pretty decent DPs.


New, Dayton makes a good "micro drill" or any of the "Servo" type drills designed for die work.

A guy on the facebook "used knifemaking equipment" group had a very nice looking Hamilton Varimatic for sale, although he was asking good money for it. Probably worth every penny.
 
I bought an older bench top drill press from my local Sanford and Son. Nothing special, just a Duracraft but it works good and the only plastic parts are the rocker switch and the knobs on the handles.

Paid $40 bucks for it but the chuck won't tighten on the smaller bits.

A new chuck would cost more than I paid for the drill press!!!:)
 
12345678910 said:
http://www.shars.com/products/toolh..._category=Keyed+Drill+Chucks&max_capacity=1/2

$10 for a drill chuck, maybe you need an arbour too.


It's imported, but it's better to have an import chuck that you can put a drill in than not have one at all.
Click to expand...

Thanks Count. That'll make things a lot more convenient for me. Right now when I need to use smaller bits I wait till the wekend when I have time to go to the wood shop 30 miles away where I can us the larger floor standing drill press.

I'll start doing research on my drill press to make sure I buy the right parts the first time.
 
The older the press, generally, the better the quality. And you can save a bundle by watching CL and the local want ads.
 
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