[TheForge] Drill Presses

[Ries Niemi]

The problem is there are a lot of cheap chinese models on the market, 
and then, nothing, until you get to high quality european or made in 
america (yes, they still make em in the USA) models that are around 3 
grand and up.
The good ones- Clausings, Made in USA Powermatics, Strands, and the 
Swedish models Wilton imports- all cost upwards, sometimes well 
upwards, of $2500.

The cheap ones are all similar- not very well made, and usually with 
too high of speeds to be really good for metal.
A lot of the cheapos only go down to 400rpm or so.
For steel, I like mine to be more like 150rpm for a half inch bit.

I have had good luck with Jet, as they seem to source higher quality 
asian stuff, and stock more parts than some.
But my good Jet bench drill press is over 25 years old, and was made 
inTaiwan, not mainland China,where I understand most all of the new 
ones are from.
I would stick with Jet or Grizzly, myself, as they seem to stand behind 
their stuff better, and you have a better chance of getting a usable 
machine.

This is all for new drill presses- if you can find a decent used 
american made one near you, it would be much better than any new model 
you could find for under a grand.
Walker Turner, Delta, Clausing, Powermatic,- these are all good names 
in american made.
Many people also find good deals really old "camelback" style machines 
from companies like Buffalo- these are bigger, older, and very heavy 
duty, although sometimes come without chucks, being meant to be used 
with tapered shank drill bits. They usually can be adapted to a chuck 
and are built like tanks. Big and heavy, but they run forever.

ries

On Nov 28, 2006, at 4:29 PM, Jim Beard wrote:

> Howdy folks,
>
> I'm in the market for a decent (yet inexpensive, I hope) drill press.
> I'm just starting to set up my metal shop and this seems to be one of
> the first tools I have a lot of uses for.  What do you recommend for
> good features, brands, perks, etc.  How low am I going to want to be
> able to adjust the RPMs down to?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jim
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Ries Niemi
Industrial Artist

http://www.RiesNiemi.com