Given the wide selection of drill presses (and the corresponding specs
and prices), I thought I would start first with my requirements:
1. mostly woodworking, with some light metal work (screw-holes and counter-
sinks in 1/8" angle-iron, aluminum, etc)
2. forstner bits - probably not bigger than 2"
3. circle cutters - up to 2 or 3 inches (wheels, knobs, etc)
4. occasional use (i.e. hobby, not production usage)
5. I'd be satisfied to get 6" into a board - e.g. for shelving pin holes
This means a 12" press, right?
What HP is required for these tasks? is 1/2 hp adequate?
What range of speeds is required? is (550, 880, 1520,
2490, 3470 RPM) sufficient? Is more speeds within the
same range really useful? Will I need lower speeds for
anything on my list?
If I moved up to a 3/4hp and 12 speed unit, what would I be able to do
that I could not do with a 1/2hp and 5-speed unit?
TIA,
Chris
************************************
Chris Merrill
[email protected]
(remove the ZZZ to contact me)
************************************
Half horse is plenty. You will find that most cutters, particularly the big
ones, do a better job at lower speeds than what is typically used. My drill
press only goes down to 550 RPM and I often wish it would go slower.
Remember, speed = heat and chatter. Feed rate is the key to efficiency.
"Chris Merrill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Given the wide selection of drill presses (and the corresponding specs
> and prices), I thought I would start first with my requirements:
>
> 1. mostly woodworking, with some light metal work (screw-holes and
counter-
> sinks in 1/8" angle-iron, aluminum, etc)
> 2. forstner bits - probably not bigger than 2"
> 3. circle cutters - up to 2 or 3 inches (wheels, knobs, etc)
> 4. occasional use (i.e. hobby, not production usage)
> 5. I'd be satisfied to get 6" into a board - e.g. for shelving pin holes
> This means a 12" press, right?
>
> What HP is required for these tasks? is 1/2 hp adequate?
>
> What range of speeds is required? is (550, 880, 1520,
> 2490, 3470 RPM) sufficient? Is more speeds within the
> same range really useful? Will I need lower speeds for
> anything on my list?
>
> If I moved up to a 3/4hp and 12 speed unit, what would I be able to do
> that I could not do with a 1/2hp and 5-speed unit?
>
> TIA,
> Chris
>
>
> ************************************
> Chris Merrill
> [email protected]
> (remove the ZZZ to contact me)
> ************************************
>