Replies

1. 
   RickL | Nov 01, 2004 05:05pm | #1

   Delta makes a nice little variable speed drill press. You will hate changing belts on the other models.

   http://coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/delt/dp350.htm?L+coastest+ylvs1292ff77a677+1099406854

   At $200 for a variable speed drill press, that's quite  a bargain. Commercial drill presses start at over $1,000.

2. 
   stancalow | Nov 02, 2004 12:41am | #2

   shh5455

   Just my opinion.   I have the smallest Delta, and its OK but I would get the biggest benchtop one you can afford, making sure it will accomodate a mortising bit, just in case you should ever choose to get one.   Variable speed is definitely a plus.  Mine isn't, and I end up leaving it set on the lowest speed to avoid the effort of changing the belt. 

   I don't see any big advantage to having a freestanding one, for the average hobbyist.  It makes more sense to build a dedicated stand/table for one to maximize space usability. 

3. 
   MichaelPB | Nov 02, 2004 06:52am | #3

   What sort of work do you do?

4. 
   oak | Nov 03, 2004 01:10am | #4

   im in the same boat as you...

   looking for  benchtop press... around that price range..

   i have been reading up on these... there are a few comments in the archives..

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?ItemNumber=G7945

   G7945 5 Speed Bench-Top Radial Drill Press View Image

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?ItemNumber=H0626

   H0626 Shop Fox Oscillating Drill Press
   View Image

1. 
   beany | Nov 03, 2004 01:16am | #5

   Hi all I picked up a secondhand one made in New Jersy in the late forties early fifties, a new set of spindle bearings and a keyless chuck, has made it better than a new one. This is solid cast Iron, thats both tables and motor/gearbox housing. Less vibration and it will see me out.

   I would suggest looking at older models there are bargains to be had out there !

   Beany

1. 
   lwj2 | Nov 03, 2004 05:19am | #6

   I agree, Bill. I've got a 15 inch Boice-Crane that was a bench top originally which I converted to a floor model later. Paid $120 or so for the B-C and about $50 for a rust-covered Craftsman junker floor model with a good table and column. Tossed the head, cleaned the column and table and put my B-C head on it.

   The older industrial grade presses have a lot of features the newer ones don't. Four to 4½ inch throws, instead of 3 or so. Dependable locking systems. Motors built like a battleship.

   Leon Jester, Roanoke VA

   Q: How do you know when a politician is lying?

   A: His lips are moving.

1. 
   PlaneWood | Nov 03, 2004 08:37am | #7

   I think my 5 incher (Skil brand) cost 99 bucks and I have used it evey day for 5 years.  Basically, for woodwork, you want a quill that goes up and down and that doesn't wobble side to side.  5 speed is overkill.  Two speeds on mine have never been used.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

5. 
   sailalex | Nov 03, 2004 01:46pm | #8

   I can tell you one NOT to buy and that is the Harbor Freight, as tempting as the price may be. I bought one on sale ($39.99; normally $79.99) and after 3 months the runout was so bad it was useless. 

6. 
   jc21 | Nov 03, 2004 03:50pm | #9

   I have the Delta DP300 benchtop drill press and have been pleased with it. Tool Crib/Amazon has it for $179.99 w/ freeshipping. It comes with a nice drill tray. Two year warranty. I'd politely disagree with a previous post about moving belts to change speeds. It's easy on the DP300, less than 30 seconds, even for these arthritic paws of mine. I also looked at the DP350 ($209.99) which has variable speed but decided against it. Earlier versions of the DP had problems with the variable speed. Delta fixed it- serial numbers after 022600 have the revised design. If you go with the variable speed DP350, note that changing the speed should only be done while it's running, otherwise damage can result. Delta's manuals and parts lists are available online. http://www.deltamachinery.com/

   imho, none of the newer benchtop models are very heavy duty but for drilling/boring holes in wood, they'll work fine. Originally I had a budget of $400 for a full sized drill press but rethoughts things and went with the DP300 benchtop drillpress and used the difference to buy Delta's 14-651 benchtop mortiser. About the only time I miss a full sized machine is drilling through 4x4's ....... the quill travel isn't enough to do it in one shot. Used machines are an excellent alternative if you're in the right place at the right time. I wasn't ............. all the machines I came across were not just used, but abused and/or overpriced. 

7. 
   Jeffnv | Nov 04, 2004 03:29pm | #10

   I have the ryobi from home depot.  It works ok.  I use it mostly for drilling pen blanks and have never had a problem.  I've had it for about 2 years.

8. 
   SRToolguy | Nov 05, 2004 06:50am | #11

   If theres one thing that Delta still does well it is their drill presses. The variable speed version is the way to go but even the manual speed change version is pretty nice. The Jet 15" bench would be my second and the the Shopfox my last. Shopfox is last  because of motor quality issues and over pricing. The oscilating spindle without side thrust bearings seems kind of dumb to me.

   Sincerely;

   The Tool Guy