I recently brought an off-brand import benchtop radial drill press, and
needless to say, the quality is sadly lacking. However, even the domestic,
if there really is such a thing anymore, all look exactly the same. Specs
look the same, machining looks the same, mechanicals look the same, etc.
Although I am not real pleased, and I already have to go to a local store
due to defective parts, I am not sure if replacing with a better brand would
be any better.
Any comments on radial presses in general, and brands in particular would be
MUCH appreciated!!!
FYI-
I paid $159(on sale from $179), including very strudy stand. Very close to a
Delta price...
All homeowner radial drill presses are the same excact design, all made in
China or Taiwan. Delta, Sears, HF, Homier, generic, I think Emco, all the same.
The difference is in quality control--the care of machining, casting, and the
motor quality. No-names have sloppy parts and rough finish, and underpowered
motors prone to burning up. Something like a Delta will be on another level
all-around. However, even they're not the quality they used to be.
I'd look into getting something old and used. Vintage non-radial DPs in good
shape can be found if you dig.
GTO(John)
>I recently brought an off-brand import benchtop radial drill press, and
>needless to say, the quality is sadly lacking. However, even the domestic,
>if there really is such a thing anymore, all look exactly the same. Specs
>look the same, machining looks the same, mechanicals look the same, etc.
>
>Although I am not real pleased, and I already have to go to a local store
>due to defective parts, I am not sure if replacing with a better brand would
>be any better.
>
>Any comments on radial presses in general, and brands in particular would be
>MUCH appreciated!!!
>
>
>FYI-
>I paid $159(on sale from $179), including very strudy stand. Very close to a
>Delta price...
I bought the Shop Fox floor mounted radial in preference to the Delta
and am quite happy with it. If you have questions abouit it e-mail me.
Phil
C Carruth wrote:
> I recently brought an off-brand import benchtop radial drill press, and
> needless to say, the quality is sadly lacking. However, even the domestic,
> if there really is such a thing anymore, all look exactly the same. Specs
> look the same, machining looks the same, mechanicals look the same, etc.
>
> Although I am not real pleased, and I already have to go to a local store
> due to defective parts, I am not sure if replacing with a better brand would
> be any better.
>
> Any comments on radial presses in general, and brands in particular would be
> MUCH appreciated!!!
>
>
> FYI-
> I paid $159(on sale from $179), including very strudy stand. Very close to a
> Delta price...
>
>
>I'd look into getting something old and used. Vintage non-radial DPs in good
>shape can be found if you dig.
>GTO(John)
Ditto what John said though I can only think of a small
handful of radials available on the used market. One was
built by Rockwell and it's definitely a home shop version.
Still it's ten times better than most machines being sold
today.
http://www.owwm.com/PhotoIndex/detail.asp?id=195
On the other hand, if you were to come across an old
Walker-Turner (later Rockwell/still later Delta) radial
drill you'd be set for life.
http://www.owwm.com/PhotoIndex/detail.asp?id=81
http://www.owwm.com/PhotoIndex/detail.asp?id=473
The shape always reminds me of Mother from Alien(s).
UA100, who wishes he had the extra 8-10 sq. ft. for a W-T
radial...
GTO69RA4 wrote:
> All homeowner radial drill presses are the same excact design, all made in
> China or Taiwan. Delta, Sears, HF, Homier, generic, I think Emco, all the
> same.
Homier... Now there's a name I never care to see again. They did their
tent thing here, and I drove by to check it out just to see if there was
anything there worth looking at.
There definitely wasn't. It was the most incredibly wretched pile of
poorly-made, rusting, flaking, falling-apart crap I've ever seen in one
place.
They must take the stuff that HF refuses. :)
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
Confirmed post number: 18005 Approximate word count: 540150
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
No comments on brands but there is something you should keep in mind. Most
of the drill presses you will see are made in Taiwan or China, regardless of
brand. The difference is in the quality control. If the company specifies
cheap junk, they get cheap junk. If they specify acceptable quality, that's
what they get. The better importers have there own quality control people in
the country of origin.
"C Carruth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I recently brought an off-brand import benchtop radial drill press, and
> needless to say, the quality is sadly lacking. However, even the domestic,
> if there really is such a thing anymore, all look exactly the same. Specs
> look the same, machining looks the same, mechanicals look the same, etc.
>
> Although I am not real pleased, and I already have to go to a local store
> due to defective parts, I am not sure if replacing with a better brand
would
> be any better.