Your Thoughts on Drill Presses for Woodworking
The next tool on my list to get for woodworking is a drill press. I have read the FWW review they did in 2015 (Sep/Oct issue). The Delta 18-900L came out as best overall amongst the ones tested. I am ok with the price for it ($2Kish).
I am torn between a floor standing model vs. table top model. My needs for drilling aren’t complex as a hobby woodworker. Any thoughts on what drill you would go buy if you needed a new one? Free standing vs. table top? I see pros and cons to each.
The only hands on experience I have is the one I used in a woodworking class this past fall and it was a Powermatic – I liked it. Then again, seeing as all I have is a cordless drill and an egg beater drill, I probably would like any of them.
Many thanks for your input.
Replies
I bought a new one a couple years ago. The Nova Voyager DVR. Floor model. I had a benchtop DP many years ago, and unless I was really pressed for space, I wouldn't consider one over a full size machine.
I don't know anything about that Delta. But I've had bad experiences with a couple of their tools, and I wouldn't touch a Delta anything. They've been sold, sold, and resold. They were once excellent, but really aren't anymore.
I had a Ridgid floor standing DP, and it was fine. But I hated, hated, moving the belts to change speeds. Mostly I didn't, and ran bits at the wrong speed. Yeah, it was lazy. But with the DVR I just turn a dial. It's got a deeper reach, and much longer quill travel than the Rigid. If you haven't made up your mind, check out the Nova.
My thoughts on drill presses are this. People worry too much.
So long as the machine drills a straight true hole, that's it.
A reasonable amount of quill travel is important.
EVERY machine out there needs a woodworking table bought or built to use it efficiently.
As far as the electronics on some newer models, IMO it's not necessary for the average user. Most people never change the speed on their current DP now, as was mentioned.
2k is far too much for a DP for the hobbyist or occasional user, IMO.
If you need the features or have the money, by all means go for it, but I'll stick to a basic machine, I don't need all the frills.
I have a radial head benchtop by Craftsman. Huge capacity, but too much flex. Belts to change speeds but I tend not to bother. Being able to rorate, swing, and move the head in and out is handy when you need it. I can even extend it beyond the cabinet it's mounted on for tall workpieces. Very similar to this green one:
https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-34-benchtop-radial-drill-press/g7945
I have one of those, Love it
I have an old floor standing DP which has worked fine for over 30 years. I rarely if ever change the speed. My main concern is drilling a straight hole without a lot of run out and wobble so you need a decent chuck and bearings. The size and ease of using the drill press table is important. I think a middle of the road Grizzly DP would work just fine without a lot of whistles and bells to fuss with. The drills on sale are often not straight so investment in the cutting portion of the whole thing is also important. I would take a look at this one and buy some really good straight drills to go with it. Take a look at this DP Grizzly G0794 - 14" Floor Drill Press
Definitely a standing model. every now and then you will want to lower your table to drill something big or tall. I wouldn't want it on bench taking up space. And it's a tool you can put up against a wall, relatively out of the way. After years of using a basic Grizzly model, I upgraded to a Powermatic 2800 with variable speed adjustment and love not having to change belt settings the old tedious way. I disagree with _mj_ that speed adjustment is not an issue. If you are switching from small twist bits to big Forstner bits, both commonly used in woodworking, or if you do a little bit of metal work with it as well, you need the adjustment. The Nova machine looked good to me but I worried about its repairability once the electronics in it age: will replacement components be available in 10-15 years?
I bought the Delta 18" floor mount drillpress several years ago. My older DP that I gave away was a benchtop model. What a difference in quality! the Delta is a great machine. regardless of all the negative publicity around Delta machines, I have found the Delta DP is a quality built machine. most woodworking machines are built overseas, this itself is an excuse for poor quality.( absolutely no quality control ) Take a look at the Delta DP, It is much better made than the majority of tooling that comes from the pacific rim. changing speeds is a breeze, quill travel is great,light is good, heavy casting. the laser is ok. I would not hesitate to purchase this DP again. and you do not need to hook up the internet for any up-grade-excellent!
@mlindy, I'm not sure you're disagreeing with me... I never said speed adjustment is not an issue, I just said I tend not to bother. I work how I work.
go for a floor model, you will never regret your choice
Thanks all for the feedback so far. From what I have heard, looking towards a floor model. As for the Nova machines, I had considered them but worried about the electronics. About 7 years ago, we needed to replace the double ovens in our kitchen. The ovens themselves were like new and in excellent condition and only 20 years old. The electronic face plate konked out and you couldn't get a replacement. Just this week, my iPhone 5 stopped working on verizon becuase somethign in it is 3G and Verizon no longer supports it. These two instances make me want to avoid excessive electronics in my tools.
I really like my Powermatic with the Woodpecker's DP Pro table. No complaints at all.
I looked at Woodpecker Pro drill press table. That's pretty nice.
I have a Delta bench model press that I've had for maybe 40 years and it's never given me the least amount of trouble but because I keep running into situations where I need more height I'm thinking of replacing it with a floor model. Mine is on a nice welded up base with casters so it's easy to roll around the shop if I need to. A floor model would be trickier to be able to do that with. I've been looking on Craigslist and there is in my area an astonishing number of presses available. Old Deltas, Walker Turners, Powermatics for much ,much cheaper than than your $ 2k budget. Old Craftmans are a dime a dozen and if it is old enough some of those older Craftsman drill presses are pretty good machines. There is an old pre Rockwell Delta that someone is listing for $80! Its looks in good shape, short of the arch of shame, but its a little far away from me. If you have the space and the power (which I dont )there are some astonishing machines. Clausins and industrial size Powermatics , Northfields and beefy machines that you never heard of ( some would require a crane) and priced at scrap iron prices alot of the time.
I just drilled dowel holes in the sides of a drawer--a pinned rabbet joint. I had to lower the table almost two feet to do that. I was grateful I had a floor-standing model. On the other hand, I took courses at the erstwhile Furniture Institute of Massachusetts--Phil Lowe's school--and they got by with a benchtop model. Go figure.
I've had a Delta 18" floor stander for about 20 years. Like a lot of others, I rarely change speeds-- usually it's because I'm drilling an unusually large hole or an unusually small one in very hard wood. Or perhaps using a sanding drum. The beauty of drill presses is they're just a motor and a chuck -- no need for fancy electronic controls. It's not a lathe and motor speed is just not that critical in wood most of the time. The main stat, IMO, is quill travel. Too little and you have to move the table a lot, and then you may have to do some setup after that. Every 5 years I drill holes in the end of something large that requires tilting the table 90 deg, then I'm glad I have a floor stander. And anytime I need 4" quill travel, which happens.
I appreciate variable speed and wouldn't want to be without it. It's quite a difference between drilling with a 6mm spur bit compared to a 50mm forstner bit.
Also even though it's a woodworking shop, I drill metal from time to time.
Maybe I am just contrary but I set the speed for the job I am doing. I don't understand leaving a multi-speed machine at one setting for "everything" but that's just me.
The drill press is an anomaly in that there is not much to it but most brands have a really hard time making a decent one at a decent price. The Delta you mention or the Nova would probably be my choice; not for the bells and whistles but for the quality of the simple task of making a bit go up and down reliably.
I agree that even the better woodworking DP tables like the Delta's still benefit from an after market or shop made table / fence. If all you do is drill holes, speed settings and table / fence options are probably unimportant. However, if all you do is drill holes you probably don't need a drill press.
I use a drill press for precision drilling of repeated specific depth holes, circle cutting, counter bore / counter sink work, spoil removal, etc. Like any machine in the shop, its value increases along with the diversity of your use of it. Think about what you need to do to help guide you to your best choice.
P.s. I agree that there is little to no space saving with a benchtop machine. Also the swing limitation of a benchtop would vex me in my use of a drill press. JMHO
I’ve been using a crappy Delta bench top model for years. The mechanical variable speed broke many moons ago leaving me with only ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ and I’ve gotten by. Due to shop constraints, my eventual upgrade will be another bench top model — but without any electronics.
I recently picked-up a used Powermatic VS floor model drill press with digital readout to replace an ancient Walker Turner. I looked for a long time to find one used and reasonably priced - even used drill presses are priced high, some ridiculously so. The lamp on the Powermatic is somewhat subpar but I’m very happy overall, big step up. It’s a hard choice to spend the money on a HD version vs a cheaper bench top or small floor model particularly if only drilling holes in wood. I purposely set out to find a HD one used and for me that was the best option. I learned (the hard way) to buy the best I can afford when it comes to machines that will see regular use.