Minimum Drill Press Speed

[jon_ramp]

I’ve been watching the CL land eBay listings in my area for a used drill press. I’ve noticed that most in the price range I would consider only have a minimum of 500-600 rpm. In the long run, would I be better off spending more and getting a machine that will go down to the 200-300 range?

Those of you who have one that only goes down to 500-600, how often would you have been better served with a slower speed? I have a neighbor with a press that has the slower speed who is always willing to let me bring pieces over to use his tools. I’m thinking that the need would be infrequent. I’m a beginner and my initial projects will be shelving, cabinets and desks.

[RodKirby]

I'm only talking WOOD here - I suspect drilling steel etc would change the picture...

In my (30 years) experience with a DP, I've never needed to go lower than 600rpm - and that was with a 3-1/2" dia. forstner into plywood - comfortable to work, no problem with the bit.

[sweensdv]

Take a look at this chart and you should be able to determine if you do or don't need speeds lower than 500 RPM.

http://www.ibiblio.org/twa/info/drillSpeedChart.pdf

[gsmittle]

My benchtop DP goes down to 500rpm too. I haven't noticed much of a need to go slower--maybe twice when I was using a circle cutter. (Whipping that much off-balance steel around was scary)

When I use a large Forstner or the circle cutter I feed slowly and back out often to cool off. The bit needs to cool off, too.

Sorry--in a smilie mood today....

g.

[Hellrazor]

200RPM is used when you want to stay in the shop and someone else wants you to do something else...

[gsmittle]

200RPM is used when you want to stay in the shop and someone else wants you to do something else...

Good idea!

g.

[LCHIEN]

I think some of the larger forstners and rosette cutters and definately the beam cutter type circle cutters need speeds down to around 300 RPM.
Of course that pulley configuration also gives the most mechanical advantage (equivalent to gearing in a car) to prevent stalling.
I'd look at the speed chart referenced earlier to see if anything you plan to cut will need those kinds of speed. I think my old 2-pulley benchtop only went to about 600+ RPM and at times I felt it was too fast.
For slower speeds you will need a three-pulley, two-belt arrangement which is not that common in a bench top.

If its infrequent and your neighbor has one he will let you use, save the money.