I have a small project that requires drilling a large number of holes at specified depths into small blocks of wood. I’m thinking this does not require a heavy duty machine. Also, the holes depth and spacing is not critical. I could use my hand drill but in the end I may end up drilling a few hundred holes. My old bones would not hold up that long.
As I am on a limited budget I’m thinking of getting a drill press just for this application. Something like a small el-cheapo-especial desktop for under $100. The other option is to get something better, but used, as there is a used tool shop not too far away that has a number of big drill presses.
What are the minimum requirements I should look for, even in a small, dinky, drill press?
Thanks,
Burt
Replies
Burt,
Usually when someone is looking for a cheap drill press option they start by looking at the Sears drill press stand which you use with your drill...think it's about $30. May not meet your needs but it is a place to start...
A few years ago I bought a Ryobi 10", using this same reasoning. One project, lots of holes, small budget. It was, I think, $99.
Now it pisses me off every time I drill a hole. I can't bring myself to replace it, because it still works (almost as well as it ever did, anyway). I haven't measured the runout, because I'm not like that, but it is clearly visible. If I drill a larger diameter hole without clamping the work, the wood spins in a tiny circle on the table while the bit plunges.
In short, it's a POS, and as most of us know, you get what you pay for, or a little less.
I have used one of the jigs that attaches to a drill, and that was pretty bad too, but really no worse than my drill press. That was also about $75 less expensive, so maybe a bit more worthwhile.
I think honestly that I would be happier renting a quality tool than having that POS living in my shop.
Maybe you'd like to buy mine? I'll give you a deal, really!
TXJon,
I don't know exactly why, but reading your last post made me laugh so hard I could hardly type. Maybe it's because I have been in just about the same situation. Not necessarily with a drill press, but with hand drills, circular saws, table saws, random-orbit sanders, jigsaws, routers, and oh yes...a huge POS called the "Radial Arm Saw Kit (RASK)" from Harbor Freight. Unlike you, I offloaded my POS's to Salvation Army. Well, at least the ones that survived.
can't bring myself to replace it, because it still works (almost as well as it ever did, anyway). I haven't measured the runout, because I'm not like that, but it is clearly visible. ....
I have a small Tool Shop (yep a cheepo) It has runout that seems like you can see...
Drills pretty dang good and true.. I think the runout is really in the outside surface of the chuck and not in the center of it..
Oh, yes... I do have a better drill press, but I keep it around because I use it more than my fancy big one!
Another option is to buy or make a small drilling jig to use with your handheld drill. The simplest jig might be a 1" thick piece of hardwood with a pre-drilled hole in it that is the size of the drill bit you will be using. The jig will take care of ensuring the drill is square to the piece you are drilling. If you are concerned about repeated drillings enlarging the pre-drilled hole too much, you could get a piece of metal tubing with the desired i.d. and insert that into a piece of wood.
Both are very economical and should work well. The downside is you still have to hold and lift the drill by hand. But that's what beer breaks are for...
I bought the 8" benchtop Delta drill press on Sunday night a few years ago, for a quicky project that just had to get done. Paid about $100 for it a a local dep't store. Guess what? I still have it, and still use it. I now have big floor-standing model as well, but the little benchtop model is handier for some things, and still works great.
If you have a habor freight close by you can get a cheap on there that will fit your project. Is it a POS you bet. Does PO me at least once every time I use yes. But you can pick one up for $39.
doc
Burt, I owned the Delta 8" drill press for several years, but decided to replace it because I couldn't get a spade bit and a 2x4 in it at the same time, and (most importantly) it didn't have a ratchet device for raising and lowering the table, which made it a royal PITA. Splintie now uses it as a dedicated cribbage board drilling machine.
I'd suggest two possibilities:
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I thought I would do the same thing, get a cheapy drill press and be done with it. Bought the Harbor Freight for $39 ( how can you go wrong?) but after about 3 months use it developed runout that you didn't need to measure, you could see it. The only reason for a drill press versus a drill is for accuracy and if you buy a cheapy like the HF and develop runout , the DP is worthless. I would strongly urge you to get a Delta or similar as has been recommended.
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