Floor model Drill press vs GI bench top
Hi,
I might be able to get a really good deal on a GI 17″ bench top drill press (model number 75-100) the one mentioned in The August Fine Woodworking mag.
I e-mailed General Canada and they said the drill press is on sale till the end of September. ($399.99) as part of a promotion to increase interest in the tool since it got such rave reviews in FW magazine. I’m hoping my local distributor for General tools can match that price. I’m trying to avoid paying freight charges.
I’m wondering if there is any difference in the floor model vs bench top. I can purchase the GI 17″ floor model for $539.00 not including taxes. ? is am I better off purchasing the bench top model or the floor model? I read the specs on both and I don’t see any difference. I’ve only worked with bench top drill presses. The table on both the bt and floor model are the same. 12X12. I can always build a drill press table to attach to the drill press. That’s not a problem.
Wanda
Replies
Wanda,
As far as I know, the floor standing and the table top are identical with the exception of the extra length in the post.
IMHO the drill press is a tool that when you use it you love it, but when you don’t you just want it out of the way…
I have the floor standing drill press, and if I were to do it again I’d go with the table top . My shop is just two small and in the three years I’ve had the floor standing I’ve never needed the ‘capacity’. The extra size, and the top heaviness of the tool really makes the floor standing press fairly stationary… I didn’t even put a mobile base on it.
Other might disagree, but in the end it depends on what type of furniture you build. If you need to drill into the ends of posts often, then get a floor standing… I’ve seen some people turn the top around to get that capacity, but don’t know how well that works. I’ve used the router to plunge into the ends of posts before…
Buster
Hi Buster,
I just got a reply to my 2nd inquiry regarding the GI bench top and 75-200 model. (floor model)
hmmm I thought the floor model would save on space. I was planning on keeping it in the corner near the back door of my small tool room. My room is only 13X15 so space is at a premium. I could always build a mobile stand to mount the bench top drill press. That way I could easily move it out towards the center of the room when I needed it. Or I could put the floor model on a mobile base. hmmm Things to think about. I'm just not sure yet. Haven't made up my mind. I think I better go down and take a few measurements. The bench top weighs 80lbs. But I think if I can get the bench top for a good price.. coming in at $110 dollars less than the floor model. I'm probably edging towards the bench top. I'm assuming it would be easy to mount to a stand using carriage bolts. As long as stability isn't an issue.
Wanda
Being mobile in a small space is an advantage... If you can mount the benchtop to a cabinet with wheels, you get mobility with storage space! Both at a premium in a small shop.
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