Which drill press to buy?

I have a Ryobi benchtop that serves me well. I have it mounted on a rolling
stand that I built. I don't need a floor model 'cause the DP is fastened on
with lag screws. I can just remove them and turn the thing around with the
work on the floor.

--
Be sure to check-out our webpages...
http://www.angelfire.com/jazz/kb8qlrjoe/index.html
New pictures & links being added frequently.

>>Is there a downside to the "radial" drill presses, that I'm not
aware of?

I was very close to buying the Grizzly radial floor model, but it
doesn't take a mortise attachment. I don't want to buy a separate
mortising machine, so I would like to get a DP that will accept a
mortising attachment.

Other than that, I have heard that after taking advantage of the
radial feature, you need to be very careful to get the machine back in
alignment. (it sounds like it doesn't have a positive stop at the 90
degree mark... not positive about that though)

YJJim


[email protected] (Robert Bonomi) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Joe Wells <[email protected]> wrote:
> >On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 17:11:27 -0800, codepath wrote:
> >
> >> Or Grizzly:
> >>
> >> $200
> >> G7944 12-Speed, 3/4HP, 14" Floor Drill Press
> >> http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7944
> >>
> >> $180
> >> G7946 5-Speed, 1/2HP, 34" Floor Radial Drill Press
> >> http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7946
> >>
> >> Check out that second one. Radial head, 34" swing for $180!
> >
> >I recently got the second one's little brother:
> >http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7945
> >G7945 5 Speed 1/2HP, 34" Bench-Top Radial Drill Press, $150
> >
> >My thought is to put a mobile cabinet under it to increase storage in my
> >small shop. If I need to use it for bigger jobs, I can just swing the head
> >around and have the full capacity to the floor. That's the plan anyway,
> >we'll see how it works out in practice.
>
> Has anybody got a good reason _not_ to buy the Griz G9745 or G9746?
> other than "I'm not in the market for one", that is. :)
>
> Is there a downside to the "radial" drill presses, that I'm not aware of?

On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 07:33:02 +0000, [email protected]
(Robert Bonomi) brought forth from the murky depths:

>Has anybody got a good reason _not_ to buy the Griz G9745 or G9746?
>other than "I'm not in the market for one", that is. :)
>
>Is there a downside to the "radial" drill presses, that I'm not aware of?

The two reasons I've heard are:

1) they flex a bit more than solid-head machines

2) they're harder to get/keep aligned vertically

But if a person is machine savvy (and a tad smarter than
a pointy stick) they should be able to work around these
minor problems with ease.


------------------------------------------
Do the voices in my head bother you?
------------------------------------------
http://diversify.com Full-Service Web Development

Or Grizzly:

$200
G7944 12-Speed, 3/4HP, 14" Floor Drill Press
http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7944

$180
G7946 5-Speed, 1/2HP, 34" Floor Radial Drill Press
http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7946

Check out that second one. Radial head, 34" swing for $180!


codepath





"KYHighlander" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I bought a benchtop about 20 years ago, after figuring out that it wasn't
> enough I had to go back and buy a floor model later. If it's for the long
> haul, buy the best you can afford, if you can afford the Jet and it won't
> take food from your children's mouth or throw your wife into a rage then
> that would be the way to go.
>
> Just my opinion, its worth every bit of what you paid for it.
>
> KY
>
> --
>
> http://users.adelphia.net/~kyhighland
>
>
> "Keith Boeheim" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:9_WTb.35893$%[email protected]...
> > This will be my first drill press and a life long purchase I think so
here
> > is the question.
> >
> > A 12" depth bench top unit goes for $180 at my local Home Depot but is
my
> > just delivered Rockler advert a Jet floor mount 15" is on sale for $100
> > more. In the next 20 years would I be better off getting the 15" full
size
> > unit. Not ever having used one I'm just not if it is over kill. Oh, BTW
> this
> > is just a hobby for stress relief. Thanks for any advise. One more thing
> is
> > it necessary to have a mortising accessory or can I just use a
> drill/chisel
> > combo.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > keith
> >
> >
>
>

On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 03:43:29 GMT, "Tom Kohlman"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>...changing the belts around is not a big deal...takes only a few
>seconds...I keep the speed chart taped to the wall next to the press. The
>instructions for the pulley alignment are under the top cover. I think
>letting the pulleys do the work will probably beat any type of electronic
>speed control, especially if it ever comes under load.


I disagree. I have the floor model Delta, I find it cumbersome to
change speeds. I wish I had bought the model with the variable width
pulleys. I think I will convert my DP to a 5 speed model, flip the
motor pulley, take out the middle pulley, and get a longer link belt.

Electronic speed control would be a very high end item. Not sure
anyone is doing a drill press that way.

A rheostat on an AC motor would not work.

My $.02

-Dan V.

I was using my drill press tonight to drill out a mounting plate for a
new motor for my lathe. Metal work- chips all over- yech!

Don't forget, one of the two words here is "press". I had to press
very hard at times. I would not like a radial drill press for that
type of work.

Sooner or later, I bet you will use the tool for something that
requires some real "push".

I guess I could see a radial arm press as a second drill press for a
busy shop.

Either way, skip the mortice attachment. Not that hard to cut them by
hand with a sharp chisel.

-Dan V.


>Has anybody got a good reason _not_ to buy the Griz G9745 or G9746?
>other than "I'm not in the market for one", that is. :)
>
>Is there a downside to the "radial" drill presses, that I'm not aware of?
>
>

In article <[email protected]>,
Joe Wells <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 17:11:27 -0800, codepath wrote:
>
>> Or Grizzly:
>>
>> $200
>> G7944 12-Speed, 3/4HP, 14" Floor Drill Press
>> http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7944
>>
>> $180
>> G7946 5-Speed, 1/2HP, 34" Floor Radial Drill Press
>> http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7946
>>
>> Check out that second one. Radial head, 34" swing for $180!
>
>I recently got the second one's little brother:
>http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7945
>G7945 5 Speed 1/2HP, 34" Bench-Top Radial Drill Press, $150
>
>My thought is to put a mobile cabinet under it to increase storage in my
>small shop. If I need to use it for bigger jobs, I can just swing the head
>around and have the full capacity to the floor. That's the plan anyway,
>we'll see how it works out in practice.

Has anybody got a good reason _not_ to buy the Griz G9745 or G9746?
other than "I'm not in the market for one", that is. :)

Is there a downside to the "radial" drill presses, that I'm not aware of?

Guess I got lucky with both of the Deltas I've owned in terms of speed
change. It really only takes me seconds. Consult the chart they give you
for type of material, type of bit and size, note the speed. Then open the
lid, "consult" the pulley arrangement chart pasted inside for that speed or
the nearest to it, loosen the locking thumb screws, turn the handle to
release pressure on the belts, arrange the belts on the pulleys as the lid
arrangement tells you to, tighten up the handle and then the thumb screws.
What's so hard about that?

New belts can make this a little tougher but that is temporary. They
stretch with use.


"Dan Valleskey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 03:43:29 GMT, "Tom Kohlman"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >...changing the belts around is not a big deal...takes only a few
> >seconds...I keep the speed chart taped to the wall next to the press.
The
> >instructions for the pulley alignment are under the top cover. I think
> >letting the pulleys do the work will probably beat any type of electronic
> >speed control, especially if it ever comes under load.
>
>
> I disagree. I have the floor model Delta, I find it cumbersome to
> change speeds. I wish I had bought the model with the variable width
> pulleys. I think I will convert my DP to a 5 speed model, flip the
> motor pulley, take out the middle pulley, and get a longer link belt.
>
> Electronic speed control would be a very high end item. Not sure
> anyone is doing a drill press that way.
>
> A rheostat on an AC motor would not work.
>
> My $.02
>
> -Dan V.

...changing the belts around is not a big deal...takes only a few
seconds...I keep the speed chart taped to the wall next to the press. The
instructions for the pulley alignment are under the top cover. I think
letting the pulleys do the work will probably beat any type of electronic
speed control, especially if it ever comes under load.

"KYHighlander" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> the Grizzly would be my choice, but the next DP I get will have a speed
> control without changing belt position. I bought a cheap router speed
> control and put that on my DP, wonder if that will hurt it? LOL
>
> --
>
> http://users.adelphia.net/~kyhighland
>
>
> "codepath" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Or Grizzly:
> >
> > $200
> > G7944 12-Speed, 3/4HP, 14" Floor Drill Press
> > http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7944
> >
> > $180
> > G7946 5-Speed, 1/2HP, 34" Floor Radial Drill Press
> > http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7946
> >
> > Check out that second one. Radial head, 34" swing for $180!
> >
> >
> > codepath
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "KYHighlander" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > I bought a benchtop about 20 years ago, after figuring out that it
> wasn't
> > > enough I had to go back and buy a floor model later. If it's for the
> long
> > > haul, buy the best you can afford, if you can afford the Jet and it
> won't
> > > take food from your children's mouth or throw your wife into a rage
then
> > > that would be the way to go.
> > >
> > > Just my opinion, its worth every bit of what you paid for it.
> > >
> > > KY
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > http://users.adelphia.net/~kyhighland
> > >
> > >
> > > "Keith Boeheim" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > news:9_WTb.35893$%[email protected]...
> > > > This will be my first drill press and a life long purchase I think
so
> > here
> > > > is the question.
> > > >
> > > > A 12" depth bench top unit goes for $180 at my local Home Depot but
is
> > my
> > > > just delivered Rockler advert a Jet floor mount 15" is on sale for
> $100
> > > > more. In the next 20 years would I be better off getting the 15"
full
> > size
> > > > unit. Not ever having used one I'm just not if it is over kill. Oh,
> BTW
> > > this
> > > > is just a hobby for stress relief. Thanks for any advise. One more
> thing
> > > is
> > > > it necessary to have a mortising accessory or can I just use a
> > > drill/chisel
> > > > combo.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > >
> > > > keith
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Delta/Jet seem to be all the same other than color...dunno about the Griz
but that may come from the same far-east factories as well.

I had a 16" floor Delta and loved it. I now have the 17" floor Delta and
hate it. Dial depth guage vs. treaded rod is my biggest loss (former was
accurate, latter is a piece of crap that is impossible to set accurately and
even then will slip past the threads on the slightest bit of pressure).

Floor vs. benchtop...the floor models usually come with 5/8' chuck, bench
tops at 1/2". Believe it or not there are times where the 5/8" is needed.
Speed settings between the two (probably 15 vs. 5) don't seem to matter
since you can compromise on either and get the job done. Floor models can be
used for alot of other stuff, i.e. when remodeling a bathroom I used it to
stir the tile mortar in a 5 gallon bucket since my heavy duty drill couldn't
handle the load.

"codepath" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Or Grizzly:
>
> $200
> G7944 12-Speed, 3/4HP, 14" Floor Drill Press
> http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7944
>
> $180
> G7946 5-Speed, 1/2HP, 34" Floor Radial Drill Press
> http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7946
>
> Check out that second one. Radial head, 34" swing for $180!
>
>
> codepath
>
>
>
>
>
> "KYHighlander" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I bought a benchtop about 20 years ago, after figuring out that it
wasn't
> > enough I had to go back and buy a floor model later. If it's for the
long
> > haul, buy the best you can afford, if you can afford the Jet and it
won't
> > take food from your children's mouth or throw your wife into a rage then
> > that would be the way to go.
> >
> > Just my opinion, its worth every bit of what you paid for it.
> >
> > KY
> >
> > --
> >
> > http://users.adelphia.net/~kyhighland
> >
> >
> > "Keith Boeheim" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:9_WTb.35893$%[email protected]...
> > > This will be my first drill press and a life long purchase I think so
> here
> > > is the question.
> > >
> > > A 12" depth bench top unit goes for $180 at my local Home Depot but is
> my
> > > just delivered Rockler advert a Jet floor mount 15" is on sale for
$100
> > > more. In the next 20 years would I be better off getting the 15" full
> size
> > > unit. Not ever having used one I'm just not if it is over kill. Oh,
BTW
> > this
> > > is just a hobby for stress relief. Thanks for any advise. One more
thing
> > is
> > > it necessary to have a mortising accessory or can I just use a
> > drill/chisel
> > > combo.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > keith
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

I bought a benchtop about 20 years ago, after figuring out that it wasn't
enough I had to go back and buy a floor model later. If it's for the long
haul, buy the best you can afford, if you can afford the Jet and it won't
take food from your children's mouth or throw your wife into a rage then
that would be the way to go.

Just my opinion, its worth every bit of what you paid for it.

KY

--

http://users.adelphia.net/~kyhighland


"Keith Boeheim" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:9_WTb.35893$%[email protected]...
> This will be my first drill press and a life long purchase I think so here
> is the question.
>
> A 12" depth bench top unit goes for $180 at my local Home Depot but is my
> just delivered Rockler advert a Jet floor mount 15" is on sale for $100
> more. In the next 20 years would I be better off getting the 15" full size
> unit. Not ever having used one I'm just not if it is over kill. Oh, BTW
this
> is just a hobby for stress relief. Thanks for any advise. One more thing
is
> it necessary to have a mortising accessory or can I just use a
drill/chisel
> combo.
>
> Thanks
>
> keith
>
>

Tom reported....I now have the 17" floor Delta and
> hate it. Dial depth guage vs. treaded rod is my biggest loss (former was
> accurate, latter is a piece of crap that is impossible to set accurately and
> even then will slip past the threads on the slightest bit of pressure).
>

Yup, same problem with my 17" Delta. I've learned to deal with it,
and not crank so hard once you are approaching the final depth.

Couple observations, though, which I made while shopping and comparing
this machine to the 16 1/2" Jet a couple few years back. First, most
reviewers prefer the threaded rod to the dial, since the dials on
Chinese drill presses are not that accurate. I'm guessing your older
DP was made elsewhere. Second, at least one reviewer, if not two,
observed that the Jet had problems with spindle deflection, which the
delta didn't have.

One of the Jet's bigger selling points (at least at the time) was the
aforementioned mortising attachment. Most experts don't suggest using
this except for occasional use. Too much stress on your machine.
Better off buying a $200 dedicated benchtop mortiser.

Joe

On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 07:33:02 +0000, [email protected]
(Robert Bonomi) wrote:

>Has anybody got a good reason _not_ to buy the Griz G9745 or G9746?
>other than "I'm not in the market for one", that is. :)
>
>Is there a downside to the "radial" drill presses, that I'm not aware of?
>

Head has to be trammed to the table each time its moved and likely
less rigidity. Both really shouldn't be deal breakers for woodworking.
They might be in the metal working world.

David Glos

IIRC my Old craftsman 103.XXXX came with a 5/8" chuck.
Guess some things were better years ogo.
Tony D.
"Tom Kohlman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Delta/Jet seem to be all the same other than color...dunno about the Griz
> but that may come from the same far-east factories as well.
>
> I had a 16" floor Delta and loved it. I now have the 17" floor Delta and
> hate it. Dial depth guage vs. treaded rod is my biggest loss (former was
> accurate, latter is a piece of crap that is impossible to set accurately
and
> even then will slip past the threads on the slightest bit of pressure).
>
> Floor vs. benchtop...the floor models usually come with 5/8' chuck, bench
> tops at 1/2". Believe it or not there are times where the 5/8" is needed.
> Speed settings between the two (probably 15 vs. 5) don't seem to matter
> since you can compromise on either and get the job done. Floor models can
be
> used for alot of other stuff, i.e. when remodeling a bathroom I used it to
> stir the tile mortar in a 5 gallon bucket since my heavy duty drill
couldn't
> handle the load.
>
> "codepath" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Or Grizzly:
> >
> > $200
> > G7944 12-Speed, 3/4HP, 14" Floor Drill Press
> > http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7944
> >
> > $180
> > G7946 5-Speed, 1/2HP, 34" Floor Radial Drill Press
> > http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7946
> >
> > Check out that second one. Radial head, 34" swing for $180!
> >
> >
> > codepath
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "KYHighlander" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > I bought a benchtop about 20 years ago, after figuring out that it
> wasn't
> > > enough I had to go back and buy a floor model later. If it's for the
> long
> > > haul, buy the best you can afford, if you can afford the Jet and it
> won't
> > > take food from your children's mouth or throw your wife into a rage
then
> > > that would be the way to go.
> > >
> > > Just my opinion, its worth every bit of what you paid for it.
> > >
> > > KY
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > http://users.adelphia.net/~kyhighland
> > >
> > >
> > > "Keith Boeheim" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > news:9_WTb.35893$%[email protected]...
> > > > This will be my first drill press and a life long purchase I think
so
> > here
> > > > is the question.
> > > >
> > > > A 12" depth bench top unit goes for $180 at my local Home Depot but
is
> > my
> > > > just delivered Rockler advert a Jet floor mount 15" is on sale for
> $100
> > > > more. In the next 20 years would I be better off getting the 15"
full
> > size
> > > > unit. Not ever having used one I'm just not if it is over kill. Oh,
> BTW
> > > this
> > > > is just a hobby for stress relief. Thanks for any advise. One more
> thing
> > > is
> > > > it necessary to have a mortising accessory or can I just use a
> > > drill/chisel
> > > > combo.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > >
> > > > keith
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

On Thu, 05 Feb 2004 09:34:41 -0700, Bridger <[email protected]> brought
forth from the murky depths:

>I started looking at mill drills. what I found is that although there
-snip-
>basically, it's a machine tool, meant for working metal, so I suppose
>it's OT for this forum. however, it makes a great woodworking machine.

Check out Grizzly's woodworking mill when you get ready to
upgrade. They can be used to make your own hardware, too.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G9959


-snip-
>all in all it's a worthwhile addition to a woodshop

I'll bet it is!


------------------------------------------
Do the voices in my head bother you?
------------------------------------------
http://diversify.com Full-Service Web Development

On Thu, 05 Feb 2004 19:28:13 GMT, Larry Jaques
<novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com> wrote:

>Check out Grizzly's woodworking mill when you get ready to
>upgrade. They can be used to make your own hardware, too.
>http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G9959
>


I looked at that. it's pretty big, both in footprint and price.

plus, it's too new to find one on the used tool market <G>

Bridger

On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 07:33:02 +0000, [email protected]
(Robert Bonomi) wrote:

>Is there a downside to the "radial" drill presses, that I'm not aware of?
>


flex.

if you can find one in a showroom somewhere to get your hands on,
you'll be able to tell whether or not it's too much flex for your
application. it sure was for mine.
Bridger

On 4 Feb 2004 10:23:09 -0800,
>this except for occasional use. Too much stress on your machine.
>Better off buying a $200 dedicated benchtop mortiser.
>
>Joe

Since I do only need a mortiser occasionally BUT was faced with a one
time project that required a lot of mortises I just went ahead and
purchased a smaller Delta Bench top Drill press and a Mortising
attachment for it.... Rather then a dedicated Mortiser...

THIS WAS YEARS AGO..... and I can honesly say that having a second
drill press in the shop all these years I made the correct
decision.... I get much more use out of it then I would a dedicated
machine...and for slightly less money to boot....

HOWEVER the drill press mounted Mortising attachment does work . l t
is much slower, takes twice as long to cut a mortise, not nearkly as
powerful etc...

Bob Griffiths

On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 17:11:27 -0800, codepath wrote:

> Or Grizzly:
>
> $200
> G7944 12-Speed, 3/4HP, 14" Floor Drill Press
> http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7944
>
> $180
> G7946 5-Speed, 1/2HP, 34" Floor Radial Drill Press
> http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7946
>
> Check out that second one. Radial head, 34" swing for $180!

I recently got the second one's little brother:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7945
G7945 5 Speed 1/2HP, 34" Bench-Top Radial Drill Press, $150

My thought is to put a mobile cabinet under it to increase storage in my
small shop. If I need to use it for bigger jobs, I can just swing the head
around and have the full capacity to the floor. That's the plan anyway,
we'll see how it works out in practice.

--
Joe Wells

On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 00:25:41 GMT, "Keith Boeheim"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>This will be my first drill press and a life long purchase I think so here
>is the question.
>
>A 12" depth bench top unit goes for $180 at my local Home Depot but is my
>just delivered Rockler advert a Jet floor mount 15" is on sale for $100
>more. In the next 20 years would I be better off getting the 15" full size
>unit. Not ever having used one I'm just not if it is over kill. Oh, BTW this
>is just a hobby for stress relief. Thanks for any advise. One more thing is
>it necessary to have a mortising accessory or can I just use a drill/chisel
>combo.
>
>Thanks
>
>keith

Since you used "life long purchase," consider the following.

If you live near one being auctioned on E-bay, a Clausing variable
speed (as in "continuously variable") would be the cat's meow. Don't
really want to pay for shipping on such a beast. Make certain you look
at the motor requirements before bidding. They came in 220/440 3
phase, as well as 110, single phase. A little lower down the food
chain, but still miles above most of the far east iron is
Walker-Turner. They came in various models/motor configurations too.
The Clausing might end up being a bit over your price range, but a
decent Walker-Turner might not.

I would post some e-bay links, but don't really want to give out too
much info as I'm in the market for one myself. Stay away from any
within 100 miles of Cincinnati and I will let you live. ;-)

Dave Glos

On Thu, 05 Feb 2004 01:33:24 -0500, Silvan
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Keith Boeheim wrote:
>
>> just delivered Rockler advert a Jet floor mount 15" is on sale for $100
>> more. In the next 20 years would I be better off getting the 15" full size
>> unit. Not ever having used one I'm just not if it is over kill. Oh, BTW
>
>I haven't used a JET, but I'd probably buy the JET. I'd definitely
>recommend a full-sized unit if you have space and capital. You can do
>everything a small press can do on a big one, but not the other way around.
>After trading up from a benchtop to a 15" floor model, I rarely use more
>column travel than I had before, but when I need it, it sure is handy.
>It's also a much better machine overall. Bigger table, bigger chuck,
>bigger motor, better belt tensioning mechanism, etc.
>
>> thing is it necessary to have a mortising accessory or can I just use a
>> drill/chisel combo.
>
>I don't have a mortising accessory. If I were going to do something with
>some huge number of mortises, I'd probably buy a dedicated mortising
>machine. For the number I do, boring out the waste with the drill press
>and then cleaning up the holes with a chisel is a fine way to do things.




I recently upgraded my drill press.
I was using a largish bench model taiwanese 15(or so) speed machine.
as far as I could tell, it was the same as the floor model, but with a
shorter column. I had it for a number of years and for the most part
it worked fine. there was a limited distance from the chuck to the
column that I occasionally wished to exceed. I did a few things to it
to improve useability- I separated the wiring for the motor from the
wiring for the light, so I could leave the light on and run the motor
from a foot switch. I trammed in the table to square and for the most
part left it there. I made a base for it with drawers in it. it wasn't
a great drill press but it was adequate. One function it wasn't able
to fulfill for me was milling. after a few attempts that ended in
dropping the chuck I gave up.

I started looking at mill drills. what I found is that although there
are a lot of them out there, and from what I gather there are quite a
few manufacturers (all SE Asia) there aren't all that many variations
on the design, and all were similar in price. I figured out what
features I really wanted and began looking. I was saving pennies, and
figured sooner or later I'd have enough to buy new, but meantime I
shopped the usual secondhand sources. I saw a few go by on ebay for
prices I was willing to pay, but all of them were too far away. the
local machinery junk guy said he never got them in. finally I found
one in the paper. went down and looked at it and ended up buying it.
it had a shop made mobile base that looks like you could stack a few
trucks on top of. it came with extra collets and a stout milling vise.

basically, it's a machine tool, meant for working metal, so I suppose
it's OT for this forum. however, it makes a great woodworking machine.
top speed is 2500 rpm, a bit slow but the feed is so controllable that
it hasn't been a problem. it has considerably more swing than the old
drill press. a radial drill press would have more, but at the cost of
lots of flex. it has a 2 hp motor that I doubt I'll ever slow down.
it uses R8 tooling, same as the bridgeport mills, so there's lots of
stuff for it. it's also heavy. I had to disassemble it to get into and
out of my truck. it took 2 guys to get the head back on.

all in all it's a worthwhile addition to a woodshop
Bridger

Keith Boeheim wrote:

> just delivered Rockler advert a Jet floor mount 15" is on sale for $100
> more. In the next 20 years would I be better off getting the 15" full size
> unit. Not ever having used one I'm just not if it is over kill. Oh, BTW

I haven't used a JET, but I'd probably buy the JET. I'd definitely
recommend a full-sized unit if you have space and capital. You can do
everything a small press can do on a big one, but not the other way around.
After trading up from a benchtop to a 15" floor model, I rarely use more
column travel than I had before, but when I need it, it sure is handy.
It's also a much better machine overall. Bigger table, bigger chuck,
bigger motor, better belt tensioning mechanism, etc.

> thing is it necessary to have a mortising accessory or can I just use a
> drill/chisel combo.

I don't have a mortising accessory. If I were going to do something with
some huge number of mortises, I'd probably buy a dedicated mortising
machine. For the number I do, boring out the waste with the drill press
and then cleaning up the holes with a chisel is a fine way to do things.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

the Grizzly would be my choice, but the next DP I get will have a speed
control without changing belt position. I bought a cheap router speed
control and put that on my DP, wonder if that will hurt it? LOL

--

http://users.adelphia.net/~kyhighland


"codepath" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Or Grizzly:
>
> $200
> G7944 12-Speed, 3/4HP, 14" Floor Drill Press
> http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7944
>
> $180
> G7946 5-Speed, 1/2HP, 34" Floor Radial Drill Press
> http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G7946
>
> Check out that second one. Radial head, 34" swing for $180!
>
>
> codepath
>
>
>
>
>
> "KYHighlander" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I bought a benchtop about 20 years ago, after figuring out that it
wasn't
> > enough I had to go back and buy a floor model later. If it's for the
long
> > haul, buy the best you can afford, if you can afford the Jet and it
won't
> > take food from your children's mouth or throw your wife into a rage then
> > that would be the way to go.
> >
> > Just my opinion, its worth every bit of what you paid for it.
> >
> > KY
> >
> > --
> >
> > http://users.adelphia.net/~kyhighland
> >
> >
> > "Keith Boeheim" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:9_WTb.35893$%[email protected]...
> > > This will be my first drill press and a life long purchase I think so
> here
> > > is the question.
> > >
> > > A 12" depth bench top unit goes for $180 at my local Home Depot but is
> my
> > > just delivered Rockler advert a Jet floor mount 15" is on sale for
$100
> > > more. In the next 20 years would I be better off getting the 15" full
> size
> > > unit. Not ever having used one I'm just not if it is over kill. Oh,
BTW
> > this
> > > is just a hobby for stress relief. Thanks for any advise. One more
thing
> > is
> > > it necessary to have a mortising accessory or can I just use a
> > drill/chisel
> > > combo.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > keith
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Hi Joe

Older Delta was bought about 15 years ago so you're probably right. That
"dial thing" worked great. With the newer piece of crap I guess I'll try to
replace the threaded rod assembly even though I'm sure Delta will want the
typical "arm and leg" for it. Replacement parts for Delta do seem to be
better than what comes with the tool so maybe it will be better in the long
run and I can quit cussing every time I try to drill a hole without going
all the way through.

As for the various brands, I think they all have "deflection" problems but
guess for the cheap prices (how can they all sell such a massive piece of
machinery for under $300???) we can expect that. We are only working with
wood which doesn't demand microscopic accuracy anyway. As to why any of the
big names would continue to "sell" based on the mortising attachment is
beyond me...PITA to set up, never very accurate, and about the time you get
it right you need the DP for something else and have to take it all apart.




"BIG JOE" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Tom reported....I now have the 17" floor Delta and
> > hate it. Dial depth guage vs. treaded rod is my biggest loss (former
was
> > accurate, latter is a piece of crap that is impossible to set accurately
and
> > even then will slip past the threads on the slightest bit of pressure).
> >
>
> Yup, same problem with my 17" Delta. I've learned to deal with it,
> and not crank so hard once you are approaching the final depth.
>
> Couple observations, though, which I made while shopping and comparing
> this machine to the 16 1/2" Jet a couple few years back. First, most
> reviewers prefer the threaded rod to the dial, since the dials on
> Chinese drill presses are not that accurate. I'm guessing your older
> DP was made elsewhere. Second, at least one reviewer, if not two,
> observed that the Jet had problems with spindle deflection, which the
> delta didn't have.
>
> One of the Jet's bigger selling points (at least at the time) was the
> aforementioned mortising attachment. Most experts don't suggest using
> this except for occasional use. Too much stress on your machine.
> Better off buying a $200 dedicated benchtop mortiser.
>
> Joe