Drill press recommendations

[Snoranger]

However, if we are going to start suggesting what the OP really doesn't need..

You’ve been here long enough to know that this is what we do… Who are we to say that Jim doesn’t need an ironworker?!?! Why limit him to a drill press when he can spend 100 times more on another piece of equipment to a few more things?
We are here to spend other peoples money.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I know I could use an Ironworker. A milling machine, lathe, plasma/waterjet/laser table, and a 4’ heavy duty finger brake too. Could save myself a lot of time and headaches that way.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I have a little craftsman benchtop that works surprisingly well. Also a big one from HF that I hardly ever use.

At work we have a delta. It is really nice.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I wouldn't mind an ironworker, but would probably hardly ever use it.

I have a bench top mill for sale posted on CL right now, because its of space to usage ratio, as in lots of space and very little usage.

 

[Jim Oaks]

You’ve been here long enough to know that this is what we do… Who are we to say that Jim doesn’t need an ironworker?!?! Why limit him to a drill press when he can spend 100 times more on another piece of equipment to a few more things?
We are here to spend other peoples money.

Gosh.....

And I was think the next tool after that would be a bench grinder with a wire wheel on it.

 

[Snoranger]

Gosh.....

And I was think the next tool after that would be a bench grinder with a wire wheel on it.

Bench grinder… check.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Harbor Freight has a 10% off coupon on anything for this weekend which would take $30 off their floor bench press (the $300 looks fine, the next step up just has lights and a different table from the looks of it...) I have a 5 speed bench top press and set slow it's too fast for drilling 1/2" holes in steel and the quill pulley slips easy which is annoying, one of the 12 speed ones would be a lot nicer...

 

[James Morse]

Grizzly radial is really nice you have a lot of clearance and you can get all the different angles if you need them. But almost all my work is with wood so the metal working guys probably are more help. I tend to stay away from the Chinese stuff, I got a Sears drill press a while back (2000's) and it's a piece of crap, totally different than what Craftsman used to sell when the stuff was all US made.

 

[oldgeek]

I don't know what it would be, but I need a machine with a laser just to have the warning sign.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Check this one out:

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[Snoranger]

That looks like a late 70’s / early 80’s model. They were probably the last of the good ones.

 

[Josh B]

That looks like a late 70’s / early 80’s model. They were probably the last of the good ones.

That's the shame about it, at least a lot of it. Can't get parts for them, and in a lot of configurations no other part will suffice.
The oddity is there's still a lot of suitable candidates in every category that are still solid as a rock and bullet proof for decades to come. Picking them may not be an easy task.

Why not run a local ad for a drill press. That could shake one out of the closet or maybe out the shop where it was sitting in the way for awhile since they bought their new 10 point O edition.
I guess that could also cause some unwanted machines to show up in the mix.

 

[Jim Oaks]

That goes back to needing to know what I should be looking for.

I like seeing posts online where people have bought used older equipment cheap that's built better than today's shit.

 

[Curious Hound]

Check this one out:

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I

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That looks pretty decent. If the price is right, it will do a lot of work for you.

I tend to gravitate toward a machine geared toward more industrial use. But not everyone needs that. As mentioned, getting a decent vice to use in it is important. But the vice needs to be bolted down. Anything you’re drilling needs to be clamped firmly to the table for safety. It’s good to also have a good clamp set - step blocks, T-bolts, etc. I’ll try to get some pictures of my setup tonight or tomorrow to show you a few things. Mine isn’t perfect. But it works well. I have an Enco tabletop machine rated for at least 3/4” capacity.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Look for 3 pulleys on top. Makes it much easier to get a good speed for metal. Tho the one you posted just above looks good.