[TheForge] Drill Presses

[Mike Linn]

I know a lot of people poo-poo Harbor Freight but I bought the HF
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43389

about 9 years ago and have never had a single problem with it. It drills 
everything Ive ever wanted to drill.

If your in a production shop.. yea spend the $$ and get a heavy duty press. 
For a home shop this is all thats needed.

I keep mine oiled and you need to check the spindle nuts every so often to 
keep everything tight.

The key to drilling is proper speeds, good sharp bits (Drill Doctor), 
appropriate pressure and CUTTING FLUID...

Too many people neglect the cutting lubricant, Ive used bees wax, Tap Magic 
and WD-40.

I got a 1 gallon can of WD-40 for free and have been transferring it to a 
hair-dresser sprizter bottle. I use it on the drill press and on the band 
saw. works GREAT..

If money is no object.. look at the Wiltons and Daytons... if your like 
me... the HF does the job...

A bit of extra advise... no matter what drill press you get... get a GOOD 
cross slide vise to go with it... one with no slop in the screws and with 
quick, easy to access locking screws. The vise can make or break the drill 
press...

my 2 cents...

mike





>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
>>___
>
>            Mike Linn
>      Artist Blacksmith
>          McCalla, AL
>        AFC Webmaster
>http://afc.abana-chapter.com
>
>______________________________________________________________________
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