Drill Press Options

[Battenkiller]

They may look similar is layout and such because Orbit was an early Jet sub-brand. That said, I'd rather own one old Orbit than five new Jets. The new stuff is all junk AFAIC, makes no difference how many bells and whistles they add. Read the product reviews for that Jet to see what I mean. Pay careful attention to the real bad reviews, they are often written by the more knowledgeable guys. The guy who's never owned one before and punches a few holes in stuff from time to time might be thrilled, the seasoned vets wouldn't use them for ship anchors.

Jet's been around for a while now. The old stuff was decent, the new stuff is a total waste of your hard earned dough. How someone can f*** up something as simple as a drill press is beyond me, but they just don't work well at all. You'd have to use a good one a bit to see just how bad these things really are.

FWIW nobody needs 16 speeds. I general, you need one real slow speed for large bits, one real fast speed for tiny bits, and two others in between the extremes. All those pulleys and belts... you'll end up drilling with the wrong speed most of the time because you won't feel like messing with them.

 

[thinkxingu]

Thanks for the continued help- the only press I've ever used is my father's Delta. It's super sweet- he got it from his machine shop about 30 years ago, and they'd already had it a decade or so. Real American machinery, and I'd buy one like it in a heartbeat, if I could find one. Looks like other parts of the country would have no problem.

S

 

[Battenkiller]

Be patient, one will turn up near you. Sadly, there are machine shops closing up every day. It's definitely worth driving a few hours for a tool you'll have for the rest of your life. In the meantime, get that Orbit and sell it when the press of your dreams (if you actually dream such things) comes along. ;-)

 

[thinkxingu]

This is the reason I prefer buying new: after two emails and trying to arrange a time to meet, I don't hear anything and the ad is taken down! I assume it's sold, and now I'm back to the drawing board. I've been thinking about just picking up the Buffalo at TSC for $200 or the Ridgid at HD for $300.

S

 

[thinkxingu]

And then there's this: (broken link removed to http://nh.craigslist.org/for/2415040443.html)

S

 

[Battenkiller]

I got nothin' for ya on those, but there are several older drill presses in the NH Craigslist. Some are from shops that are closing. FWIW you have a lot more going on with these things in your area than I do right now.

 

[thinkxingu]

What am I missing?!

 

[Battenkiller]

Here's one to die for:

(broken link removed to http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/2415963786.html)

If I had room for it I'd have it sitting in the shop tomorrow. $550 as is, several thousands dollars worth of equipment for a new equivalent.


This one has a six-chuck turret head.

(broken link removed to http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/2412128502.html)


Another Orbit in Amherst, NH:

(broken link removed to http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/2409888795.html)


This guy is selling all his tools. Way down he lists:

"Craftsman drill press bench top. Older and very well made $50.00"

Don't bring more than $50 or you will flatten your wallet once you see all the goodies he's selling. He should have no problem checking the spindle and chuck for runout, he's a machinist.

(broken link removed to http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/2405185355.html)


Very nice old Dayton for $150 OBO

(broken link removed to http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/2398937155.html)


Who knows what this one is, or how much. Call.

(broken link removed to http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/2398554235.html)


Older Taiwanese press. $50.

(broken link removed to http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/2392769957.html)


Older Craftsman. Worth a call. Ask for pics. $40

(broken link removed to http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/2362140919.html)







Here's an eBay offering that has no bids and is at $99 with only 14 hrs to go. Shipping will be something like $250 to a commercial site, it's worth at least $350, it's a little beauty. Comes with a very intriguing drilling fixture that is probably worth $500.

(broken link removed to http://cgi.ebay.com/Rockwell-Drill-Press-Model-1060-w-Drill-Fixture-/320705357580?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aab87670c)



Bingo! Here's your press. Nice Rockwell/Delta Variable speed (300-3100 RPM) in real good shape. This one will blow the doors off any new Asian press being made today. $220 "Buy It Now", drive 3 hours to get it. It's a sweetie. Call in the AM (Jack Duer at 860-484-4449), maybe the guy will work something out about getting it to you. Always ask. If you don't want it let me know, I may be interested.

(broken link removed to http://cgi.ebay.com/Rockwell-Delta-Drill-Press-Series-15-655-/270744738842?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f09a4dc1a)


Good luck. Gotta run, the whisky's making me sleepy.

 

[thinkxingu]

Batten,
I saw most of those, but wasn't quite sure about any of them. I'm looking at these:

(broken link removed to http://cgi.ebay.com/Delta-Drill-Press-/320707490286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aaba7f1ee)
(broken link removed to http://providence.craigslist.org/tls/2381626125.html) (only the Craftsman is available--dang!)
(broken link removed to http://providence.craigslist.org/tls/2382035575.html)

I really like the last one--looks like it's either been very well maintained or restored, and I appreciate the simplicity. Will call the guy tonight--what do you think of that one?

S

 

[SolarAndWood]

Don't bring more than $50 or you will flatten your wallet once you see all the goodies he's selling.

lol if there was money to be made shopping for used machinery, you would be all set.

 

[oldspark]

If that one delta (BK's bingo) was close I would be all over it.

 

[Battenkiller]

If that one delta (BK's bingo) was close I would be all over it.

Yup, it's a dandy. I just called the guy. Unfortunately, it's gone.

They have others. Here's an excellent old Walker Turner for $195. Machine shop quality, all any homeowner would ever need. Chuck is only 3/8" capacity, but it's an Albrecht so it a great one. I'm sure the guy has a used 1/2" or 5/8" Jacobs chuck floating around somewhere for a small extra charge.

(broken link removed)

 

[thinkxingu]

Yeah, they sold it this morning. Didn't matter--only open on weekdays, and I couldn't have gotten there for a while.

What do y'all think about the Craftsman I posted (third down in my list)? It's floor standing and looks to be well maintained--the seller said it runs like a top, and I can head down this weekend.

S

 

[thinkxingu]

Or this: (broken link removed to http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/tls/2405367260.html)

 

[Battenkiller]

(broken link removed to http://providence.craigslist.org/tls/2382035575.html)

I really like the last one--looks like it's either been very well maintained or restored, and I appreciate the simplicity. Will call the guy tonight--what do you think of that one?

TX, I don't think that's been restored, looks like that one was in mothballs for the last 60 years or so. Made by Atlas, a great old tool company. They made presses and metal lathes for Sears as well as under their own name. I just gave a buddy a nice old 6" Sears lathe made by Atlas. I believe the presses with the name cast into the pulley cover are all pre-war. No, not pre-Iraq War, pre-WWII. Way more than it's worth, though. Offer $100, go as high as $150 if you have to. It's a cutie for sure.


Show him this link. The guy got it for $119 (plus an old motor thrown in) from a used equipment dealer (who tend to ask top dollar for that stuff).


http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=1530


Personally, I'd rather have the Walker Turner at that price, but I'd be more into an industrial quality DP if I was gonna replace mine. If you can snag it for $125 or so you'll have yourself a sweetheart deal on a press you'll never want to sell.

 

[Battenkiller]

Or this: (broken link removed to http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/tls/2405367260.html)

Same as the Orbit. You can see the "Jet" name on the tag and everything.

 

[Battenkiller]

What do y'all think about the Craftsman I posted (third down in my list)? It's floor standing and looks to be well maintained--the seller said it runs like a top, and I can head down this weekend.

See my post below (#64) above.

 

[thinkxingu]

I thought that meant Jet, but it's posted as a Delta.
I'm gonna call tonight about the Craftsman--I'm not sure I even need a press, and since I've never done anything but drill a few holes in wood I don't think I need something with tons of bells and whistles, etc. In fact, I've not used a press in 5 years--so, if whatever I get is quality enough to drill some holes for a while I'm good.

We'll see what happens when I give him a call. I'll report back.

S

 

[thinkxingu]

Looks like I'm going to Newport to pick up the Craftsman. Story is that the guy bought it off the original owner, who used it rarely, detailed it and rarely used it himself. Assures me it's absolutely mint and runs as new. If it's not a letdown, it'll be exactly what I've been looking for. We'll see about final price, but he's also gonna throw in a vice of same vintage/history.

S

 

[Battenkiller]

Vise could make the deal. Maybe he has other stuff, too. Hey... I drive a hard bargain. Good luck with it, but it didn't happen until we see the pics. ;-)

 

[thinkxingu]

Hi All,
Picked up the press yesterday--it's in great shape, the motor and all components run smoothly and quietly. It drilled a 1/2" hole through a PT 4x6 without hesitation, and the hole is round and right on (I had marked both sides), so it's more than accurate enough for what I'll be doing (though I did get nervous when I saw my first bit wobbling--turns out the bit was slightly bent). There are a couple little jimmies (non-stock motor-mount bolts, etc.) but otherwise completely stock. I think it'll be perfect for me.

Question, though: I know there is (and have) a list of proper drilling speeds, but is there one I can set it on and be pretty much all set with most of what I do? I'm thinking 1300 would be a safe place? Or should I be slower at 700?

S

 

[smokinj]

Hi All,
Picked up the press yesterday--it's in great shape, the motor and all components run smoothly and quietly. It drilled a 1/2" hole through a PT 4x6 without hesitation, and the hole is round and right on (I had marked both sides), so it's more than accurate enough for what I'll be doing (though I did get nervous when I saw my first bit wobbling--turns out the bit was slightly bent). There are a couple little jimmies (non-stock motor-mount bolts, etc.) but otherwise completely stock. I think it'll be perfect for me.

Question, though: I know there is (and have) a list of proper drilling speeds, but is there one I can set it on and be pretty much all set with most of what I do? I'm thinking 1300 would be a safe place? Or should I be slower at 700?

S

I keep mine as slow as it can go. Now I am only using bigger forsner bit up to 4 inch, but would not change speeds if I used something else.

 

[Jags]

I run mine fairly slow as well. I just really don't do alot of belt swapping. I am just as liable to grab a 3/4" or 1" bit as I am a 1/4" so I run at just a few hundred RPM unless I have a big job (lots of holes) that warrant dialing in the "proper" speed.

 

[Battenkiller]

TX, I saw your post earlier in the week. All those questions and research paid off, huh? I've been down and out for the count after picking up a deer tick and contracting Lyme. Hit me real bad, a week of total misery, fever up to 104º, non-stop screaming headache for a solid week, no sleep, can't eat. Watch it out there, guys, they're thick in the bush, even with the bad winter we had. I tuck my pants into my socks these days, but this one dug in up by the waistband. Wasn't in there that long, either. Take the chaps off midday and check around in there, they like it because it's toasty warm. Wouldn't wish this on anybody.

Glad you like the press, patience and good luck prevailed. Regarding best general belt position, that depends on what you are drilling. You'll get a feel for how the bits are cutting if you keep them sharp/replaced as needed. Metal's more picky than wood. Small diameter drill bits really want to run at the highest speed they are designed for in metal. If they aren't cutting well because the speed is too slow, you'll put too much pressure on them and they'll bend or break on you. I just checked my press and it's on the slowest speed. Not sure how many RPMs that is, but I do 90% of my drilling there. Too high in wood and you'll burn the wood and damage the bit.

A few other things. If you get the urge to use the press as a drum sander, get the cheapest press you can and put the drum in that one. Drill press spindle bearing are not designed for a sideways load. Other thing is, check your old drill bits for burs along the shank and grind them smooth if you find them. They will cause the bit to not seat correctly and can damage your chuck jaws. And as I mentioned above somewhere, tighten the chuck slowly, one hole at a time. A lot of folks don't know to do that, especially if all you've ever used is keyless chucks.

 

[oldspark]

BK I hope you are feeling better, be careful out there, do not think we have a lot of deer ticks in Iowa but I guess they are here.