Drill Press

[chuckwagonRN]

Was wondering what type of drill press ya got and what are the pros and cons of them. I am looking for a bench top press I think. Found a craftsman 12" model 2194 for around $150. After reading the reviews on the sears site I am back to not knowing. I need one that will be accurate enough for hobby gunsmithing and general hobby use. Have looked at harbor freight and tractor supply. They have benchtop models for around $70. Would these be sufficient for general use?
Thanks for input.
Chuckwagon. 

[bull frog]

One thing is for sure, no bench top will be as efficient as a floor model.  That said, I will tell you that mine is a bench top from Sears.  I can do a lot of things with it and have put it through it's paces.  It is even useful for small gun smithing jobs on parts and even pistoles.  The major problems show up when you try to work on larger guns.  It can be done but is very awkward and clumsy.  This greatly increases the chance of a mistake. 

[dmbruce]

Midway USA has one in their current catalog for $79 - benchtop model

[Red Badger]

Mine is also a floor model very old belt driven monster i got from a guy who was closing his ceramics business down... was part payment for helping him move tons of molds... only drill press I have ever seen with a rheostat to control drill speed - I can turn it down to 3 rev per second or up to very fast....  great for drilling plaster or steel or plastic or glass or (you get the idea)... , and the drill area can be about 5 1/23 feet....only problem is it weighs about 300 lbs...

[voyageur1688]

  Had one from Harbor fraud and wont get another one from them. The chuck was press fit without any key or retaining screw and slipped so bad I couldnt even drill into wood without the chuck falling off after slipping on the shaft.
Voy

[DandJofAZ]

  Had one from Harbor fraud and wont get another one from them. The chuck was press fit without any key or retaining screw and slipped so bad I couldnt even drill into wood without the chuck falling off after slipping on the shaft.
Voy


Sounds like more fine Chinese  Quality control

[Razor]

  Had one from Harbor fraud and wont get another one from them. The chuck was press fit without any key or retaining screw and slipped so bad I couldnt even drill into wood without the chuck falling off after slipping on the shaft.
Voy

DANG...An' I just 'bout talked myself into getting one from HARBOR this weekend...Mebbe time to hit the garage sales...

[Red Badger]

Harbor Freight goods are cheap no doubt about it but if you inspect it carefully I have gotten a few items from them that do last - my sawsall is 8 years old and works just fine.....

[bwhoffman]

if you do a search for "harbor freight coupons" online, you typically will find a 20 to 30% off coupon thats printable. good for any regular priced item. also get the free flashlight!

they also sell a wood tool box that sees a lot of use as a range box, some good heavy canvas tool bags, wool blankets in red or grey and some small tent stoves. All items I have seen multiple times at rondy's and shoots!

their quality on stuff....well, lets just say that the 6" digital calibers I picked up for 10 bucks are identical to the 140 dollar Mitsiumo calipes I have had for several years. clear down to lable placement, battery type button layout and inspector proof marks! go figure!

I have also had one of thier bench top drill presses (5/8" cap) for almost 14 years. still runs strong and true.

[bull frog]

I have purchased a lot of things from Harbor Freight (an awful lot) and can say some of it was excellent, some fair,and some was trash.  Most of it was small items and gadgets and things that are on special that most anyone else would not buy.  Most of the stuff I have bought I can not complain about.  Not much electrical items though, I tend to stay clear of those things.  Another thing to stay away from is drill bits or some wood tools.  Have seen however, some of the higher dollar Items that look fairly good enough to take a chance on like wood lathes, drill presses (floor model) etc.  I always stayed away from them cause they be (made in China).  Did not trust them.  But bought a pair of Buck Pocket knives a few weeks ago that looked nice....a couple days later was looking at the blades and saw the Buck LOGO on one side and a big ol' CHINA on the other side.  The moral of the story is....look closely and carefully....you might just get a good deal...but if it looks suspicious ...don't buy it.

[FrankG]

I have the Harbour Freight 12x36 metal lathe that works well and the MiniMilling machine (not micro) that does good on smaller stuff. In early 80's I bought a Taiwan floor model 12 speed drill press that worked excellent until a couple years ago until I was boring 1.25" holes in 1" thick steel and the motor is on the way out now (bit grabbed on punching throughand stalled motor several times). Cheap fix , found a Craftsman 3/4Hp motor to replace it with for a couple bucks .
I also have a benchtop drill prees similar to the HF benchtop model that works good as long as it isnt hurried when drilling . Over 3/8" drilling in metal  is taxing the motor if you get in a hurry on feed. But if you go slow I have drilled 1" holes in metal using very slow speeds/feeds.

[Thumper]

I've had great success with wood, ferous and non ferous metal with my Sears floor model. They're not that expensive and parts are common if you need to replace one (I just did my light switch).

[bull frog]

Bought a cheap table top band saw a couple years ago...made in China or Tiwan or somewheres like that( only 59.95 new), like I said....cheap.  Have gotton my money out of it and then some.  Have not used it for any metal but a hell of a lot of wood, horn, bone, antler and probably a few other things I don't remember.  Got no complants except....Did not check to see if replacement blades were available...it has an oddball size blade that I can't find any where around here.  Still using the original blade....gettin a bit dull but still cuts.  I also got a respirator mask from Harbor Freight after a serious lung infection (toxic wood dust) that I love....they no longer carry that brand...so no more replacement filters are available.  Have looked around for a replacement but can't find a mask I like as well.

[DEADDAWG]

One place I haven't seen mentioned here is CraigsList. I've bought a number of things locally off CraigsList, have gotten them cheap and been very pleased. I got a nice couple year old Delta drill press floor model 16 speed with 36x36 table for $170.00. The great deals are there, you just have to be patient and watch for them.

Bullfrog, Look for a industrial shop in your area that makes band saw blades. There's a company here called Butki Saw that custom makes band saw blades to your specs. I had an 18 tooth 1/2 inch bimetal blade made for my tabletop band saw for $22.00. There wasn't a metal cutting blade available for my saw.

[DandJofAZ]

Good old Harbor Freight..bought a lot of consumables form them..brushes, scrapers ect..when outfitting my work crews...hammers and such will be replaced free if returned broken..yes they have junk too, but for the price most is ok.  Saw that Buck was getting cheap knifes from China..some good ones still available or buy a Case.  They cost more, but US made and have carbon steel or stainless--your choice..
Doug