What drill press is in your shop?

[NickWheeler]

Okay, I know the "what drill press should I get?" is a loaded question...because what we should/want to buy and what we do buy aren't always the same thing. Plus everyone will just say get something that's not sloppy

.

But I'm curious what you guys have and what you think.

I'm looking to get a different one, and am trying to open as many options as I can.

There's an old Summit, variable speed (dc drive) 38 special on ebay for like $50. For that much machine and that much green, I'm thinking something's ready to blow up...???

I could buy the Delta 20" on there for $300 and trade parts with Tom's new one. Hmm *raised eyebrow*

Still curious what you guys use.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Fox]

Nick, I use a Jet 17". I already had a Jet contractor's saw that worked great and was of excellent quality. When I started shopping around I found that Jet has directly targeted Delta's market niche and their price point was better, at least in my area (B'ham.) The quality of construction was far better than Grizzly and I thought it superior to the Delta's. I also got a more powerful motor than was available with the Delta. The bottom line is that I paid about $375 for mine at Western Tool Supply, early last year.

Fox

 

[Bruce Bump]

Nick, I have been using a central 16 speed for 10 years now. It is a little noisey but still tight. It is a bench model and only costs about 269 bucks. Just recently I purchaced a good used mill/drill from a friend who bought a bridgeport. The mill/drill cost $700 plus some accesories of about $300. It works so nice for everything. I still use the old drill for handle pins but I dont know why. The neat thing about the mill is it mills level for handle slabs. I use it on bone, stag, wood ect. It mills my damascus also. Saves its weight in belts. There are some on the market new for about 1200 dallars. Its a good investment and easy to sell later when you get your bridgeport. Bruce

 

[Osbourn]

Chicago tools, 5 speed benchtop. $69.00 at Big Lots. My wife got it for me for yule, sweetheart that she is. I hadn't bought it myself because of all the bad things I'd heard (and experienced) about Chicago tools. I don't use a drill press anywhere near as often as some makers, but this thing has worked great for me for two years so far. It's been as accurate as I've needed, but it does tend to try to walk if you don't centerpunch well enough, but that's easily accounted for.

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Oz

"This is your life, and it's ending; One minute at a time."
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/