[TheForge] Drill Presses

[Jim Beard]

This is actually the most available, lowest rpm press I could find:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=39955

It gets down to 150rpm.  Delta had a similar model for price / size,
etc. but it only goes down to 215...

On 11/28/06, Steve Smith <sos at alum.mit.edu> wrote:
> 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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