Re: Buying a Drill Press

[Fly-by-Night CC]

What would you buy and why?

I've had a 17" Jet floor-standing drill press for several years now. I believe it cost about $400 or so and has 16 speeds. In retrospect I'd opt for a DP with fewer speeds - and changing via a variable speed dial would be easier than swapping the belts by hand. I tend to only use a couple slow speeds, a couple medium and a couple fast. The rest just sit there unused and unappreciated, wasting away with each passing day.

I've also upgraded the factory chuck (apt name as I chucked it after the innards turned to mush and gravel) with an Albrecht clone. That change alone made a big difference in visible runout.

Consider also that some DP tables are square/rectangular and some are round. The Jet's is round and I believe I'd prefer square instead - easier to make a well fitting aux. table.

[Charlie Self]

Owen Lowe responds:

I've got a Palmgren. 12 speeds, square table. New rendition of an old brand. I like it, but, honestly, haven't used it enough to know what its strengths are beyond heaviness and, so far, good accuracy. 5" spindle travel is nice, too.

Charlie Self "It is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended from man." H. L. Mencken

[Sam Schmenk]

After months/years of looking, I went with the Delta DP400 from Lowe's about 2 weeks ago. It was $299 and no other retailer could come close to this price. I am not blown away by it, but it performs well. 3/4 HP, square table, morse taper, 17 speeds, floor model, 3 1/4 stroke,

200 lbs.

I really want an older Clausing but couldn't find one under $500. New Clausings are $2,000+ and their tolerances are for metal fabrication. There are several good older presses to look for: Clausing, Powermatic, Delta, Walker Turner, and Buffalo. All of these units outperform most all mid range new DP's. Check out the OWWM forum for data. Finding one close to you and in the right condition are the fun part.

I just couldn't find the right deal on a older one and I couldn't put it off any longer. In time, I will trade up to an older Clausing. In the meantime, the Delta make holes in wood just fine.

Good Luck!