Which Floor Mounted Drill Press

[liftoff621@hotmail.com]

I'm looking to purchase a floor mounted drill press - 1/2 to 3/4 HP. Up to $400, and that is stretching it. I've done plenty of research. I would like to hear your experiences before pulling the trigger. I'm also very interested to know if the lasers attachments several now come with are worth the money.

[91FE]

You'll have better luck if you post this in the right area...probably 'tool talk'.

[Garasaki]

400 bucks in the used DP market would go a LONG ways

[LCHIEN]

400 bucks for a DP should get a very nice one.
I assume you are familiar with all the DP lingo.
Paying more should get you larger swing, should be around 15-16" for that price
A larger HP motor, at least 12 speeds down to around 150-200 RPM and up to 3000+ and at least a 4" quill travel.
I have a couple of DP with the laser aiming. Get the ones that attach to the quill and not the Post. I find them very useful, more useful than the laser on my miter saw.

[BasementJunkie]

Does anyone have recommendations on where/how to buy used power tools, like floor-mounted drill presses? Craigslist for my area (CT) has very little. Does anyone have specific recommendations?

[lkazista]

I have a couple of DP with the laser aiming. Get the ones that attach to the quill and not the Post. I find them very useful, more useful than the laser on my miter saw.

REALLY?!

I always LOVED the laser on my Miter (before it broke and Delta wanted for to fix it than I paid for the whole saw). I still dream of the day that I figure out how to fix it myself.

But the drill press? Don' you just lower the bit before you turn it on to see where it will land?

Lee

BTW- I have the floor mounted HF 16 1/2 inch. Picked it up for $169 on sale. I am happy enough with it, my only gripe is the depth lock is really wanky.

[liftoff621@hotmail.com]

Decision Made and Credit Card Exercised

Thanks for your replies. Picking up the Steel City with Laser from my local Woodcraft next week. A little more than I wanted to pay, but should be well worth it.

[LCHIEN]

REALLY?!

I always LOVED the laser on my Miter (before it broke and Delta wanted for to fix it than I paid for the whole saw). I still dream of the day that I figure out how to fix it myself.

But the drill press? Don' you just lower the bit before you turn it on to see where it will land?

Lee

BTW- I have the floor mounted HF 16 1/2 inch. Picked it up for $169 on sale. I am happy enough with it, my only gripe is the depth lock is really wanky.

Lee,
I always thought that about the miter saw, I could lower the motor/blade assy and put the edge of the teeth carbide right at the cut line before I switched the saw on.

With the DP, the center of the bit is not always obvious if the bit is larger diameter and the center is ground to a flat rather than a point.
Also when lining up the fence and the table its not always possible to lower the bit precisely to where you can tell where the bit center is, while locking the fence and table into position. I almost always use the fence when drilling now.

[RagerXS]

I think laser crosshairs for a drill press would be of particular benefit for forstner bits.

~ Fred