Drill press recommendations

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Anybody have an opinion on which drill press manufacturers to stay away from or recommend? Lots of manufacturers out there and I am just looking for a quality machine that will last a long time but not cost me a fortune. It's for my home shop and I will mainly be doing fab projects for my chopper, truck, etc. Any suggestions on specifications as far as swing, horse power, chuck size, etc? ThanksMillermatic DVIMiller Syncrowave 200Lincoln Promig 135
Reply:always get the biggest thing that will fit in the room
Reply:I bought a Rigid drill press that I like at hd,$300.(made in china,I think).Seems ok but too fast for large bit in steel , no nut.My opinion?For metal working ,none of them are great.For small holes they're fine,but because they are belt driven from motor to chuck,lowest speed is too fast for large bits.Even 1/2" twist drill will burn up(or belt will slip) if you're not verycareful.Hole saws in steel ?PITA.Flycutter?Misery.I miss having access to a Bridgeport (gear reduction/low spindle speed).Weldbead has the right idea-Bigger=better(providing that bigger = slower/more nut).Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:Originally Posted by jpump5lowest speed is too fast for large bits.
Reply:i have a ryboi and i changed the belt drive pulley on mine and it is still to fast the only thing that i think that would work is if i add a variable speed motor and a rheostat switch.Lincoln Power Arc 4000 Thermal Arc Fabricator 252 iThermal arc 186Thermal Arc 26 tigTweeko 200 amp spool gunHobart AirForce 400WP-17V-12R
Reply:Depending on what you want to do, you might keep your eyes open for a nice used table top mill. I lucked out years ago and picked up a nice unit when a guy upgraded his home mill to a full sized Bridgeport. I have 2 other drill presses that I picked up while my mill was in storage and since I was able to set up the mill, I've only used one of them once That was because I couldn't quite get the item under the bit and didn't want to order a shorter bit and wait..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Ellis
Reply:I would love to have a small mill/lathe but cost and space is always an issue when you work out of a garage. Down the road I do plan to add the machines when space is not the issue but for now the drill press will have to do. Thanks for the input.Millermatic DVIMiller Syncrowave 200Lincoln Promig 135
Reply:I dont know much about them as I just got my first drill press but my 20" jet has 1 1/2 hp motor and goes all the way down to 150 rpm
Reply:China has many good things! What we need is a good thing! Hope we work together!Replica HandbagsLouis VuittonWholesale Louis Vuitton Handbags
Reply:I haven't had all that much experience with drill presses but when I bought my current house the prior owner left behind a 16-speed Central Machinery floor mount drill press.  Since the motor didn't work I bought a new one and have been using it for the last 15 years.  I've cut 1/4"  mild steel plate with a 4" metal hole saw (yes it is a PITA - but it got the job done) and also drilled 1/2" holes in 1/2" mild steel plate (also a PITA but also got the job done).  For most other stuff it works quite well.  Since it is belt driven and has three different step pulleys to adjust the speed, its get a little complicated figuring out the belt/pulley combinations to get to the right drill speed - even though the schematics for belt/pulley speeds are right on the inside of the cover.The one like it that Harbor Freight is selling these days is $289.00 or about $100 more than I paid for just the replacement motor.  If the quality is as good as the one I have I'd definitely say the value is there.  I couldn't help but recommend it.
Reply:I try to stay away from new ones.  If you can find an old one made in the USA that is in good shape, you won't regret getting it.  The heavier the better.  So many of the new ones sold by US companys are Chinese.  I love old tools!FredMiller 330 A/BPDynaflux R1000 coolerLinde HDA-300 HP-18 torchHobart BetaMig 251Hobart Handler 135 Campbell Hausfeld 80P&H 181 Arc Century 295 Arc Hypertherm Powermax 900 Plasma cutterSeveral Oxy/Acc torch and tanks