What Drill Press?

J

joeG26er

Joined
Mar 29, 2000
Messages
297
It's me again...

Thanks for all the suggestions on the grinder and basic equipment questions.

Now, what drill press should I get?

Size?
Features that are mandatory?
What vise is a must for the press?

I would prefer if you had a specific one you can tell me to get.

Thanks


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RKBA!
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The best advice I can give is never buy anything from Sears!!! Also, never buy just because something is cheap or cheaper. Especially a drill press!!! I have a 10" Delta table topper (which is now made in China, Ughhh) but I checked it out good before I bought it and it is built well. I got it at Lowes and it has been great. I think it was $129 on sale. I went thru the ole bigger is better routine and found out thats a load real fast. Take care! Michael

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Hey,
Thanks for the info-
What specific problems have you had with Sears machinery?

I think I will go check out Lowes too.

any other suggestions?

What kind of vise should I get for the drill press?

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RKBA!
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I don't buy from Sears anymore mostly becuase they're stuff is made in China, but it also made with extremely cheap materials. In 3 months I went thru two of their belt grinders, and yes, they called it a belt grinder. When I took the first one back I got alot of guff from the guy runnin the tools dept. The second one I took back in pieces with no idea of exchanging one pile of junk for another one. I just wrote it off. Also, their replacement parts are outrageous. I had a drill press that I bought on sale for $69. The chuck broke on it and when I went to get another one, they wanted $39 for it. Needless to say thats when I bought the Delta. Take care!! MIchael

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Hi
Can you be more specific as to which model belt grinder you had break on you?

I was going to get the 1.5hp 6x48" belt grinder - 2700 rpm sealed bb motor.
6x10" cast iron table.

Includes miter gauge

Belt operates in horizontal and vertical.

9" disk 3450rpm - 6x12" aluminum table

This is no good? ($299.99)

How exactly did the chuck break?
I thought the Delta was also made in china?
Lowes has a poor selection of grinders that look very much like the lower end grinders that Sears has.
None of the Lowe grinders are over 1hp...

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RKBA!
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Hey Joe,Make shure yhe spindal shaft doesnt have any play in it.This way you get a tight tolerance from one piece to the next.I am seiously considering a small milling machine that I can use as a drill also....Bruce

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The Soul of the Knife begins in the FIRE !!!! Akti # A000223
 
$299 for a 15" drill press that goes 250-3100rpm - is that too fast? (1hp)

Please name a specific drill press that I can use for knifemaking.

Thanks

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RKBA!
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Joe, check out www.harborfrieght.com for a 6by48. I bought one for $149 and it is fantastic. If you spend over $50 the shipping is free, least it was when I bought my stuff.

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Joe,

I have a Harbor Freight model. It is a 16 speed, 13 inch floor model that I bought on sale for $150. The slowest speed is 220 rpm. I have had good experience with mine, however, my father has the same model made by Jet (both Chinese imports) and the spindle is sloppy. Unless you are making folders, this should suffice.
 
That sure looks like the 6 by 48 Joe. Shame it's not still on sale!

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Just to put in a good word for Sears, I've had my little 1/3 horsepower drill press for over a year now and I've yet to have any problems with it. It still runs just as good as it did the day I took it out of the box. I don't feel handicaped because it only has a handful of speeds either.

Sincerely,
Adam

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Self improvement is a hobby of mine :).

 
Joe,

Most of the machinery sold by Harbor Freight, Grizzly, and Jet are made by the same company, Central Machinery. I have noticed that HF usually has better prices and no shipping charges. BTW, purchase a quality drill press vise, not a POS like the ones from HF. I made that mistake. You are better off clamping blades to a block of wood that is clamped to your press table.
 
Please Name a quality drill press vise.

Thanks

What I really want is some very specific model numbers - I am on a limited time basis for this and would rather have the exact make and model. Thanks

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RKBA!
Click Here To Make $5with Paypal!
Pay ANYONE With Your Visa/MC Over the Internet!
 
As several posters noted, get a good drill press with no play in the spindel shaft and a good keyless chuck. Also a machine that will runn at slower speeds. I seriously doubt you'll find any of those cheap models that are worth a crap. My drill press cost over $1000. You can see them at:
http://www.ixion.de/

There's nothing more frustrating than trying to drill a hole that won't stay round because your drill press isn't turning true. The cheapo drill presses are ok wood working or home improvement where tolerances are maybe =/- 1/16 inch.

If you can find a good OLD drill press used, this would be better than than a new crap one.

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Totally new website!
http://www.wilkins-knives.com
 
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