[TheForge] Drill Presses

[Steve Smith]

I looked for a used industrial drill press, couldn't find one in the 
time frame I needed it. Based on recommendations from a friend, I bought 
this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=39955
It works well. Spindle runout is <0.001 (just the spindle, no chuck). 
The only complaints I have are two:
The motor is noisy, like you wouldn't expect it to last a year. In a 
full time shop, I don't think it would, but I've used it part time for 
three years with no problems.
The table gives me the impression it is a little light weight. That 
said, once the column clamp is tight, it seems pretty solid.
I put a flex-link belt in place of one of the V belts to keep motor 
vibrations from transmitting to the drill bit. I had an Albrecht keyless 
chuck for it--I don't know what the import chuck is like.
I specifically wanted a table with T slots and a 20" swing.

Steve


Mike Linn wrote:

> 
> 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
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________________
>>
>> "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how
>>   close they were to success when they gave up. "
>>   ~ Thomas A. Edison
>> ______________________________________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>>
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