Drill press suggestions?

[Dwight]

Hi,

I always seem to be looking at projects that require a DP. I'd like to hear what people say about different sizes, makes, etc. My budget is in the $100-150 range. If there's already a "What tool should I buy?" FAQ, I apologize.

Thanks,

Dwight

[newbie2wood]

If you are looking for a floor DP, Lowes was clearing the Hitachi DP for $99 (reg $199). Its a fairly decent model with worklight and laser. If interested, get the model from another post on this website. Call the main 800 number for Lowes and ask them to check the stores in your area that might still have any left (save yourself some legwork from having to call each individual store).
________
Big Women Live

[bigsteel15]

I'm not sure about down there in the US, but my budget was about the same and all I could get was a large benchtop model.
I opted for the RYOBI from HD for $199 CDN.
You guys seem to get coupons and such, so you should be able to get something in the price range.
I was also liking the Craftex floor model radial arm unit that tilts and extends.
It was on sale up here for awhile for $250. Grizzly may have it somewhere around $150-200 down there.
It all depends what uses you will have for it, but I would buy the biggest you have room for in your shop and budget, keeping quality in mind as well of course.

[bigsteel15]

If you are looking for a floor DP, Lowes was clearing the Hitachi DP for $99 (reg $199). Its a fairly decent model with worklight and laser. If interested, get the model from another post on this website. Call the main 800 number for Lowes and ask them to check the stores in your area that might still have any left (save yourself some legwork from having to call each individual store).

WOW!!
Like I said you get better deals down there due to more competition.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

How about the 10" from sears,
I picked it up for around 125.00 the last time they had Craftsman Club sale days.
It has got some good reviews from others and I'm happy with it.

That is a weird looking DP . . . . lol.

[bigstick509]

Sorry about that pic, wrong click out of photobucket.com. I must have band saws on my mind,I'm in the process of dialing mine in at the moment.

[retired wrench]

Bout a yr ago, I decided to get a drill press, and after looking and lurking around, I decided on the FISCH........It seemed much better than the run-of-the mill cheapies, and had very good reviews on amazon........I`ve not regretted this purchase one bit, it has preformed great!
this was a model DP2000, listed in amazon for $189.00..but if you wait around, you can pick up on one of the many `deals` amazon offers....

[LYU370]

Yep, if you have the room, I'd say call your local Lowes and ask them to check to see if any stores in your area still have any left. BTW, the SKU number is 159282. I picked mine up for $129 but I see people are now getting them for even less.

[LinuxRandal]

Don't forget your classifieds too! A friend knew I was looking and called me one day, I have an old Atlas drill press that I gave $50 for, from a machine shop closing. It's a benchtop, though someday I'll swap the pipe and make it a floor model, unless I get a good deal from another friend who is selling his machine shop!

[Dwight]

No Hitachi DP's at local Lowes

Thanks for all the replies to my post. I'm a BORG employee (in hardware, no less), but we're a small store and my choices are limited. The Lowes near us has a 10" Delta bench DP for $99. Any thoughts?

Dwight

[sacherjj]

If you have a Harbor Freight near you, the drill presses are currently on sale. They aren't quick as nice looking as others, but are decent machines. I really like the speed range of my floor standing DP.

[tfischer]

If you have a Harbor Freight near you, the drill presses are currently on sale. They aren't quick as nice looking as others, but are decent machines. I really like the speed range of my floor standing DP.

I'm very happy with my 16-speed floor standing DP. I got it for about $160 on sale and with an additional coupon discount.

-Tim

[atthelastminute]

You might look at the Tradesman floor standing DP's on Amazon. They have a 13" and a 17" for $139 & $169 respectively, and with the current deals you can save $20 on either one, and it is eligible for free shipping. I recently purchased the 17" and can't say anything bad about it. It is big, in all respects, probably bigger than I need, but I don't have to worry about growing out of it anytime soon. The only info I could find about it online was a review from 4-5 years ago rating it as a good drill for the money, but hard to find, Amazon takes care of that.

[LCHIEN]

Hi,

I always seem to be looking at projects that require a DP. I'd like to hear what people say about different sizes, makes, etc. My budget is in the $100-150 range. If there's already a "What tool should I buy?" FAQ, I apologize.

Thanks,

Dwight

I love to use the DP. With the recent acquisition of the Lowe's clearanced Hitachi for $100 (15", 3.5" travel, 12 speeds, laser, etc) I now have 3 DPs incluiding the 8" one I started with and then a 12" benchtop.

I actually got the 8" one long time before I was woodworking, it served its purpose for electronics work and stuff but was too small really for WW. I later got the 12" benchtop and it was nice for quite some time, i'd still be working it had it not been for this fantastic sale price I got. The main drawback was limited speeds, esp. at the low end.

My advice, seeing as how you've identified a need already would be to start with no less than a 12" benchtop or a floor-model if you have the room. know the quilltravel (3.25 to 4") and minimum speeds (down to 150-250 RPM) you want. There's a number of name brand benchtops in your price range, or something like a Harbor freight floor model - the reports have been that they run fine.

[sacherjj]

I agree with looking for a good low end. That makes things much nicer when you want to swing around a circle cutter.