Drill press for novice?

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I am just getting started with fabricating with steel tubing and the like.Any suggestions for a 110v drill press for a novice? price is not the main factor btw.
Reply:I can recommend no specific model for you, but a truism is that bigger is better. If you don't believe me, you will become very proficient at creative clamping for such routine operations as simple tube notching, etc. Also, for metal you want SLOW speeds and enough power to cut your maximum diameter holes. Avoid bench top models like the plague.XMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:+ 1 for avoiding bench press drill, they look good and fit at the store but really useless for the space you have between the drills and the leg!even if you said you are a novice try to buy the best you can and take care of it (don't drill thru the base plate, always use wood pieces under your metal, oil daily, don't weld any jigs on the plate, clamp it.Also, if the price range is not the ''main factor'' go at a real industrial supplier near you instead of commercial place, you''ll maybe find a grey hair guy that will tell you how to use it correctly instead of just take the box and pay as many store!Last edited by LayoutMan; 07-05-2012 at 06:38 PM.Calculator > Bevel Square
Reply:The Home Depot full size drill press is very good for the $300 price tag. I use mine 7 days a week for drilling tons of steel, wood, and phenolics for my knifemaking. There is bigger and better but also a lot more expensive.
Reply:I've got a JET, bought it from a buddy, who was the original owner.  Its about a 17" unit, and has done everything I've asked from it.  If money's not an issue, maybe you can check into a mill / drill combo?  http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient...w=1024&bih=665-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Good used big ones are cheap on craigslist.I bought a benchtop drill press from harbor freight for $30 (that's like half a tank of gas...) seriously a good purchase. I've been using it for years, drills up to 1/2" holes. It won't really go slow enough for anything larger.Last edited by MikeGyver; 07-06-2012 at 04:00 AM.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:I have a 15 inch Craftsman 1hp drill press I've had for years. I've been drilling 3/4" holes with it, except the only problem I've had is the belts start slipping when I get close to drilling thru. Would those automotive belt dressing/spray good for stopping slippage? Other than that, it wasn't that expensive at the time, and does everything I'd ever want to do.
Reply:Look  for a older used one on craigs list. A powermatic , rockwell, or delta are my choices.Definitely a floor model . Make sure it has slow speeds for metal work too.
Reply:If you find a used one be sure to check the runout. I made that mistake and had to get the spindle machined. I still would have bought the drill press but probably could have got it cheaper if I would have pointed out the excessive runout. May be common sense for most but I was lacking some that day.Good luck.MillerMatic 212, Lincoln Precision TIG 225, Hypertherm 45XP
Reply:Anybody used or owned the HF production drill press floor model for $599? Part #39955.
Reply:i got one then we could choose a price would you like pictures?Quality is our policy.
Reply:Where are you located? We're very lucky here in New England--there are many quality used tool/machinery stores where I've had good luck. I've seen a lot of Buffalo, Walker-Turner-Rockwell, and Hougen mag drills lately. I prefer the old machines to the new, especially when the purse strings are tight. I know this is said so often on all tool-centric trades forums that it's as cliche as "absence" and "fonder" but it's oftentimes true: quality old machines are a better investment. I'm a novice, too, and I tend to buy old stuff as I need it. It's functional from the moment I bring it to the shop but usually, right after I use it for the job, I tear it down first to see if anything needs replacement--like bearings--and inspect for cross-threaded wrong-ness. As for buying HF drill bits/presses/chucks/tables, I''ve seen better for less depending on where in the world you're coming from.Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is by far the worst thing to ever happen to President Lincoln in a theater
Reply:horse power is the answer in all situationsas stated, watching craigs list and e-bay can yield some great old iron at near scap price. you may even find someone like mua who would rather give it away than send it to melt for another piece of asian blight
Reply:The truth is that NO ONE can just suggest a drill without knowing what you are doing with it. Sure, you can be absolutely prepared for all tasks and get a 5 hp monster, but is that what you need? Are you building race car frames or scale models? 4" pipe or 1/2" aluminum tube? Production or one off once a year stuff? Are you wealthy and have no $ limit or are you 16yrs old with a part time job delivering pizza? See what I'm getting at? Not wanting to sound like a dick, but info is everything. 200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Originally Posted by hammer0419The Home Depot full size drill press is very good for the $300 price tag. I use mine 7 days a week for drilling tons of steel, wood, and phenolics for my knifemaking. There is bigger and better but also a lot more expensive.
Reply:If I was looking to get another drill press I would first buy used !!!!!!!In order of interest to me would be:1. Clausing/ Do All/ Fosdick/Cincinnati2. Rockwell/Wilton (old)3. Powermatic/Buffalo/
Reply:as far as older used I really like the walker turners, really nice drill press and can be had reasonably pricedmiller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:walker turnersYep another good choice,I was just checking local Craigslist, and old buffalo for $200.Dayton made a good press also but harder to find.
Reply:I've seen a lot of Buffalo, Walker-Turner-Rockwell, and Hougen mag drills lately
Reply:Farmall," I'd buy a mag drill used before I bought a drill press. It's easy to make steel adapters to support them for bench work if needed. "Kind of an application thing though, for repetitive holes and quick setup I like the drill press, it is also a poor mans tapping machine. For big stuff and big holes in steel a mag drill is best, but it doesn't do alum and wood well, and putting a mortise bit on one is impossible.Franky, the right answer is both
Reply:+1 on looking for an older one. You'll find tons of them at estate sales and craigslist. Look for an older craftsman. I forgot who made them but, I looks like this.http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=11957.0 This guy restored his. I already have an older made in the USA Craftsman drill press. You can find them in great condition. Buy new=ChiCom.
Reply:Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2 Attached ImagesMiller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup
Reply:Sorry, hit send prematurely! My Mr 45 mag drill with a base I copied off of you tube. 425 for the drill. Super.heavy duty and variable speed to slooooow!Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2Miller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup
Reply:I'm wondering what the OP has settled upon? He said that price was not the first consideration so I'm wondering if he's getting something I would have to wait 30 yrs and for the word 'vintage' to be applied to it to afford. @fredschrom - true--it's hard to just have _one_ tool in _one_ category like perforating or cutting or welding. Getting your first implies that another is in the future--my shop teacher/partner saying that when I was first looking for a press neutralized the paralyzing stress of trying to find the perfect tool. I'm looking for another head for my buffalo 15 benchtop so I can  leave it set up for a drill and countersink for knife nights. Here's a pic of my new-to-me 200 ducat drills. Attached ImagesAbraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is by far the worst thing to ever happen to President Lincoln in a theater
Reply:Princess Auto has decent benchtop drill presses at a low cost point that work well.  At the price point, they are hard to beat, although it would be worth upgrading down the road.  And if you find yourself drilling a lot of thicker materials, power down feed will make the job easier! (just...go easy on the power down...or things can get...chaotic!)Last edited by mb_welder; 07-11-2012 at 07:14 AM.If you are drilling bigger diameter holes, the slower the speed range the better.I wonder if I could find larger reduction pulleys for mine, although so far it has worked okay.  It's a 15 year old Craftsman.   I do have one problem: too often the chuck pulls out (Morse taper?)   How do I get it to stay in there?Ken
Reply:Originally Posted by mb_welderAnd if you find yourself drilling a lot of thicker materials, power down feed will make the job easier! (just...go easy on the power down...or things can get...chaotic!)
Reply:Quite common for the chuck to fall out if it's a Morse Taper.  It's designed for down pressure, and will work loose if you don't keep pressure on it.They most commonly fall out when breaking through the finished hole.  The key is to reduce down pressure when you know you're coming to the end of the hole, but still keep a light feed.  Hanging up the bit in the hole at the end (pretty common when breaking thru thicker stuff) will stall the drill, and you have to back it out to free it....then the chuck falls out This is the reason for R-8 tapers on milling machines, they're locked in with a draw nut/bar to keep them in place when working with side pressure or when they're pulled out of a cut."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/