Recommend your QUALITY drill press (for metal)

admin

I Need a new drill press.  Budget is under $1,000.   Can you please recommend one to go with for mostly metal work and a brand or two i should definitely  stay away from?   I already tried the search function here and didn't come up with a good thread on the topic. Thank you in advance.  "Hey I didn't come to look and learn, I came to turn and burn.... If I can't light up, I'm gonna light out!"-JodyIdealarc 250 "Fatman"MM 252MM 211 "Little boy" Victor Torches
Reply:ANVIL, is this for hobby work or production?  How big of a bit do you want to run?  Do you have an RPM range in mind?  Do you want a round column or square?  Would you consider buying used, knowing you'd get more for your money?
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550ANVIL, is this for hobby work or production?  How big of a bit do you want to run?  Do you have an RPM range in mind?  Do you want a round column or square?  Would you consider buying used, knowing you'd get more for your money?
Reply:New or used? I picked up this Royersford 21" camelback drill press with 3-speed power downfeed for half your budget and factory rated to spin a 1 3/4" bit through steel. It is an old style drill press and needs to be oiled prior to use in innumerable locations, but well worth the maintenance.EDIT: Sorry, just re-read you first post and see you're looking for a new drill press. Attached ImagesLincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Hey ANVIL, I don't have info on the new drill presses in your price range other than to guess that most of them are made in the same factory in China, and rebadged.  For this you get a functional machine most of the time, but generally of chintzy construction.  The spindle may not be true, the table may not be square to the spindle in both planes, etc.  Honestly, for hobby work they're probably fine except that you're going to have to be careful about RPM range for your bigger bits.  I expect you'll end up using lowest RPM as one of your final decision makers if you buy new.  The bigger the swing the better, assuming the head and table are stout enough to handle it.You didn't answer the question about considering used, but if you'd be willing to go back a bit in time, you can pick up an older Craftsman 150 series with a 15-1/2" swing for around $50 - $150.  These are completely comparable to most presses you'd be buying in your $1000 price range, and are probably going to be more square and true.  Most will have a tag on the baseplate with a P/N beginning with "103"(example: "103.19242").  I forget the lowest RPM spec, but if you do a Google search you'll come up with plenty of info on these presses.  I own and use a couple of them, one floor-mount and one benchtop model, and feel no need to upgrade although one of mine was made in 1949 and the other in the 1950's.  I've used mine to bore 1/2" and 5/8" holes in 1" steel with no problem.  You can find this style of press regularly on CL and other classifieds, and once restored they bring a style all their own to your shop, not to mention pride in ownership because you had a part in making them what they now are.  I'm sure there are many other light older presses out there that would be equally good, but this is the style I can comment on. Your other option if buying used would be to find something along the lines of what WyoRoy found, or even a newer one that's not a Camelback style.  You can find some real monster gear-head presses with power feed for right around $1000 (check ebay for the Cincinnati-Bickford and Cleereman names), although most if not all would have to be converted to single phase or run off a phase converter.  Many of these presses use Morse Taper bits, but you can adapt a drill chuck to them also.  The disadvantage is floor space and weight -- even my lighter-by-comparison Buffalo 22 weighs 1100 pounds, stands at least 8 feet tall, and has at least a 40" x 24" footprint.  It is V-belt driven with back gears, giving it an RPM range of (if I remember right) 45-1300.  I think it's rated for either a 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" bit, and will accept up to Morse Taper 4 (MT4).  Has powerfeed of course, and is a round-column so the table can be swung out of the way to fit monstrous stuff under the spindle.  The table runs up and down with a stout worm-drive hand crank assembly.  These are still being made today, but I think when I called the price was around $25,000 and the company is a shell of its former self, having been bought and sold at least once.  I paid $150 for my Buffalo 22 -- found it on CL and drove about 3 hours one way to get it.  Now, a press like this is most likely not what you're looking for (although you'd be the envy of all your neighbors), but I'm just trying to show you what a dollar buys on the used market vs the new.Just some examples of what's out there from my personal experiences.  I enjoyed the search for my presses more than anything else.  I like the old iron, and it's true when they say they don't build 'em like they used to.  Besides, they pretty well knew how to drill a hole 60 years ago, and not a whole lot has changed since in the hobbyist-sized machines.  You're just buying new paint and cheaper construction.Last edited by tbone550; 02-09-2013 at 08:37 AM.
Reply:Powermatic is suppose to be a good drill press. I have their disc / belt sander but can't find a drill press  close by or I would own one. I have a  older model  Rockwell radial USA that is handy and got it cheap, $100.00 bench model. A older Delta USA is nice too. Mine is still kicking and it is from 1954. Neighbor gave it to me after her husband died. My newest is a Delta  made in Taiwan , works well.
Reply:Here a fracking good one not far away from you...get it fast...IT's a bench model :-( I have seen a nice floor one but selling for $1800http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/tls/3504048289.htmlThe best drill press you can get is a milling! A use Bridgeport or clone appear sometime on CL for cheap...Last edited by OldSkull; 02-09-2013 at 06:02 PM.Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:Most box store drill presses are 1/2" chuck which is not a problem because they sell reduced shank drills 1" dia. and over.The problem most are geared for wood work.You would be better off looking for something with 3 step pulleys that can be slowed down to cut steel as in using hole saws.
Reply:Personally, after having tried out two newer drill presses...I went to old ones and I won't go back.I'd recommend finding yourself a nice Delta DP220 with a slow speed setup on Craigslist.  It'll come in way under your budget and it'll be a much much better drill press than what you'll find these days.  I also have an Atlas Model 74 which I restored and it's a beatiful very well functioning drill press.These old ones work so much better than a new DP that I have a habit of picking them up when I see them cheap on craigslist, putting new bearings in them, cleaning them up (and then being forced to sell them when the wife finds out I got another one).  I wish I had the room for an old camelback drill press with the power downfeed...but well...room is a bit of a problem.--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:Most newer presses run too fast for steel. Find a good used one. My 50+ year old one will spin a 1-1/2" bit in steel. Driven by a 2 hp motor and a 4" wide flat belt. Bought it for 300 about 10 years agoMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:I have three drill presses. 1 new with a 5/8 chuck made in Tiawan which I never use anymore. 1 flat belt driven bench model with a number 1 Morse Taper which I just got. A flat belt driven floor model with a number 2 Morse Taper.I actually would like to get something bigger like the camleback or equivalent to go over an inch with ease.
Reply:Originally Posted by drujininI actually would like to get something bigger like the camleback or equivalent to go over an inch with ease.
Reply:WyoRoy what about a nice Alzmetall?In your dream  Anyway I never spend $1000 on a drill press, I find a milling instead or wait until I got enough money to get a milling.....Only buy a drill press if it's a huge deal!Last edited by OldSkull; 02-11-2013 at 01:46 PM.Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:Trouble with a milling machine used as a drill press is unless you have a fair sized riser you won't have much of a work envelope once a vise, workpiece and good sized drill bit are factored in. Power feed, on my Bridgeport at least, is minimal at best...under 1/2". Okay for a fine finish boring head, but hardly worth mentioning for drilling. A milling machine would shine for those jobs needing compound angle drilling though. Nah, just as a drill press makes a pathetic milling machine, I'm going to have to say it is worth the time and effort to find a decent drill press instead of having to bodge through a job on a mill. If the workpiece will fit on a faceplate, I'd rather use the lathe as a make-do drill press than use the mill.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by WyoRoyTrouble with a milling machine used as a drill press is unless you have a fair sized riser you won't have much of a work envelope once a vise, workpiece and good sized drill bit are factored in. Power feed, on my Bridgeport at least, is minimal at best...under 1/2". Okay for a fine finish boring head, but hardly worth mentioning for drilling. A milling machine would shine for those jobs needing compound angle drilling though. Nah, just as a drill press makes a pathetic milling machine, I'm going to have to say it is worth the time and effort to find a decent drill press instead of having to bodge through a job on a mill. If the workpiece will fit on a faceplate, I'd rather use the lathe as a make-do drill press than use the mill.
Reply:OldSkull, I'm not exactly sure what the heck you're asking or saying in that last post. Noting you are from the French speaking region of Canada, the best I can say is that your English is far better than my French. I'll take a stab at it and say you're wondering about the Chinese mill/drills and their relative worth. As a mill they open up a lot more territory for those that can't afford a true milling machine or haven't the space for one. As a drill press they have the same problem as say a Bridgeport without a riser block...no room to spare in the work envelope. At least with a Bridgeport, or like style mill, you have a knee to work with, not so with the mill drills. I believe, for what they are, they serve a purpose to many people out there. Neither as a mill nor as a drill are they ideal, but for the money spent, room saved and opportunities opened to their buyers/users they should be applauded. Now if I was looking for a drill press, I'd look elsewhere.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Well I read back my post and I get confused too Seriously I was just asking for your opinion on those little machines because I never try one and wonder if the gear head version with 2hp motor may have enough clearance between the table/vise and the quill to be used as a drill press. Your statement explain why they should be call Mini Mill and not "Drill press/ Mill"Buy the way I'm on medic since 8 days so don't worry I'm sure even my french is worse then any attempt you may try...   Thank youLast edited by OldSkull; 02-12-2013 at 11:27 AM.Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:OldSkull, hope whatever you needed the medication for gets fixed.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by WyoRoyNew or used? I picked up this Royersford 21" camelback drill press with 3-speed power downfeed for half your budget and factory rated to spin a 1 3/4" bit through steel. It is an old style drill press and needs to be oiled prior to use in innumerable locations, but well worth the maintenance.EDIT: Sorry, just re-read you first post and see you're looking for a new drill press.
Reply:Originally Posted by drujininI have three drill presses. 1 new with a 5/8 chuck made in Tiawan which I never use anymore. 1 flat belt driven bench model with a number 1 Morse Taper which I just got. A flat belt driven floor model with a number 2 Morse Taper.I actually would like to get something bigger like the camleback or equivalent to go over an inch with ease.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldSkullSeriously I was just asking for your opinion on those little machines because I never try one and wonder if the gear head version with 2hp motor may have enough clearance between the table/vise and the quill to be used as a drill press.
Reply:On the link you provide Winmac we can see one selling for $3800 (75-870 M1) with an MT3spindle with R8/JT6 chuck adapter included! This one fit the bill if you look closely at his spec on the General site and look similar to the one I seen on a used machinery site selling for less than half the price If you regulary drill 1-1/2 holes in 1" plate with one and this little "Toy" can do some "Soft" milling as a bonus, If the price is cheap I see no reason to not recommended one as a replacement to a drill press.Thank you for sharing your experiences Last edited by OldSkull; 02-12-2013 at 07:22 PM.Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:Originally Posted by SidecarFlipYou can load the Camelback in the Vee Dub and I'll take them both...home.
Reply:Like Tbone said find a good used gear drive and don't look back.  Brands like Johansson, Fosdick and American are all solid machines even if they haven't been manufactured for years.  The down side is most will be three phase.  Phase converters are easy to build and there is Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) technology out there for not a lot of money.  I picked up this Johansson tool room drill press for $200.  It has #3 morris taper, tapping mode, variable speed power feed, coolant, a big table, adjustable head and the list goes on.  Just watch your speeds.  You want low speed for metal work.  I think this one has a low speed of like 40 or 60 rpm.  Great for hole saws and annular cutters.  I don't know what a new drill like this would cost but I couldn't afford to buy one for my needs.Dan D. Attached Images
Reply:I also have stuck the mag drill to the bench  now and then. Dan