Drill Press

[SlowRide]

The shed has been getting a good upgrade lately and the next tool on my hit-list is a drill press. I know as soon as I get one i'll be wondering how I ever lived without it. But I need to get a better idea of my options before I jump in.

I want to avoid buying junk, but I can't afford an industrial-spec press fit for a workshop either. Nor do I need one - I just need something that'll deliver the goods with the dozen or so projects I run through the shed each year (which I figure will be 75% woodwork, 25% metalwork). My budget is around $500 - for that I hope to get as much bang for the buck as possible, and a reasonably long (and reliable) working life.

I'm OK with buying second hand and have been keeping an eye on Gumtree - seeing mainly GMC and Kincrome presses pass through the system. But the reviews of these brands are mixed - sometimes downright awful. I've also come across some very substantial old-school drill presses, but they look like full restoration projects in themselves (which i'm not prepared to take on). As for new tools - Kincrome is the only brand you'll come across in most shops, although my local tool shop Carbatec also has self-branded drill presses.



Seems I have a bit of research to do. Can anyone offer me some friendly assistance/advice with my next tool purchase?

[gromit]

I purchased a pillar drill from a woodwork show some years back.
Belt drive, about $350 at the time. Gets used for woodwork & metal.

Hare & Forbes have a good range and are in WA.
I know other places in Melbourne but freight might be an issue.

Drilling Machines Belt Drive Radial Arm Geared Head Magnetic Base Drills | machineryhouse.com.au (http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Drilling-and-Tapping-Machines)


There will also be secondhand machinery companies but s/h drill presses, like small lathes, seem to hold their price.


Colin

[Homestar]

Don't count out some of the older ones that may look like they need work. I scored a big old banger from work - it was heading for scrap and I was told it needed a lot of work, and a new motor. I got it home, soaked everything in WD40 and once cleaned up, all the mechanical stuff worked fine. The dud motor turned out to be a loose screw in the start/stop switch. About 2 hours work, $0 spent and I have a very good drill press I was told was not worth saving.

If you have 3 phase power some absolute beauties come up at auctions. A mate scored a huge drill/mill that is all gear driven with automatic feeds and everything, in perfect working order for $300. It ended up being too big for his workshop and he sold it on for $500 a few days later...

[Bigbjorn]

Most 240 volt drills used in industry are light machines, mostly bench mounted. If you have or can organise three phase power then the opportunities to buy decent machines increase. See if you can find one with a geared head. much more convenient than swapping belt pulleys to get the correct speed for the job.

I would be looking for a pedestal drill, good range of speeds say 40 to 2500 rpm, geared head, power feed, No.3 or 4 Morse taper.

There are plenty of 240 volt Chinese Cheapies around on e-bay, Trading Post, etc. Don't pay more than $100 for one. You can get them on special a Bunnings/Masters around $200.

[SlowRide]

I can only seem to find pulley drive drills in my price range. This is the best one i've found in terms of power, speed range and dropping depth. Carba-Tec® 1HP 16 Speed Pedestal Drill Press : CARBA-TEC (http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec-1hp-16-speed-pedestal-drill-press_c20117) It's a better spec-set than the Kincrome equivalent. They were on sale for $450 in a post christmas sale, but I decided to hold off as a couple of jobs I was on got postponed.

I'm not finding many three-phase options (Idon't have three-phase in my shed anyway) - and all the decent 2nd hand options are pickup only from the eastern states. But if I keep my eyes peeled for long enough and one is bound to pop up... I hope.

Also - went and had a look at Bunnings/Masters - their home-brand drills might be OK for most of my planned usage, but maybe a little underpowered and a bit too much slop to tackle metal jobs. But, you can't expect perfection for $100 (probably won't get it for $500 either). I'd also prefer a pedestal drill, not a bench drill.

[Bigbjorn]

I can only seem to find pulley drive drills in my price range. This is the best one i've found in terms of power, speed range and dropping depth. Carba-Tec® 1HP 16 Speed Pedestal Drill Press : CARBA-TEC (http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec-1hp-16-speed-pedestal-drill-press_c20117) It's a better spec-set than the Kincrome equivalent. They were on sale for $450 in a post christmas sale, but I decided to hold off as a couple of jobs I was on got postponed.

I'm not finding many three-phase options (Idon't have three-phase in my shed anyway) - and all the decent 2nd hand options are pickup only from the eastern states. But if I keep my eyes peeled for long enough and one is bound to pop up... I hope.

Also - went and had a look at Bunnings/Masters - their home-brand drills might be OK for most of my planned usage, but maybe a little underpowered and a bit too much slop to tackle metal jobs. But, you can't expect perfection for $100 (probably won't get it for $500 either). I'd also prefer a pedestal drill, not a bench drill.

That looks like the standard Chinese drill press sold by all and sundry under a multitude of brand names. Price is about what everyone else charges. It would be No.2 Morse taper and have a 5/8" chuck. Home hobbyist machine not an industrial one.

[Basil135]

I can only seem to find pulley drive drills in my price range. This is the best one i've found in terms of power, speed range and dropping depth. Carba-Tec® 1HP 16 Speed Pedestal Drill Press : CARBA-TEC (http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec-1hp-16-speed-pedestal-drill-press_c20117) It's a better spec-set than the Kincrome equivalent. They were on sale for $450 in a post christmas sale, but I decided to hold off as a couple of jobs I was on got postponed.

I'm not finding many three-phase options (Idon't have three-phase in my shed anyway) - and all the decent 2nd hand options are pickup only from the eastern states. But if I keep my eyes peeled for long enough and one is bound to pop up... I hope.

Also - went and had a look at Bunnings/Masters - their home-brand drills might be OK for most of my planned usage, but maybe a little underpowered and a bit too much slop to tackle metal jobs. But, you can't expect perfection for $100 (probably won't get it for $500 either). I'd also prefer a pedestal drill, not a bench drill.

That looks like the one I have.

Never had a problem with it, and find it perfect for what we do, which is similar to your planned usage.

I have bought a LOT of stuff from Carbatec, and have found that they are very easy to deal with if there is a problem, and also offer good advice.

[Homestar]

I can only seem to find pulley drive drills in my price range. This is the best one i've found in terms of power, speed range and dropping depth. Carba-Tec® 1HP 16 Speed Pedestal Drill Press : CARBA-TEC (http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec-1hp-16-speed-pedestal-drill-press_c20117) It's a better spec-set than the Kincrome equivalent. They were on sale for $450 in a post christmas sale, but I decided to hold off as a couple of jobs I was on got postponed.

I'm not finding many three-phase options (Idon't have three-phase in my shed anyway) - and all the decent 2nd hand options are pickup only from the eastern states. But if I keep my eyes peeled for long enough and one is bound to pop up... I hope.

Also - went and had a look at Bunnings/Masters - their home-brand drills might be OK for most of my planned usage, but maybe a little underpowered and a bit too much slop to tackle metal jobs. But, you can't expect perfection for $100 (probably won't get it for $500 either). I'd also prefer a pedestal drill, not a bench drill.


That is a similar size and HP to mine - it works fine for most things, but does start to struggle in thicker steel above a 3/4" hole. If you don't have any requirements for drilling large holes in steel on a regular basis, then it will be fine.

[42rangie]

Dad's friend had a small shop that was getting two new ones, and offered Dad the two old ones. I helped him get them home. Two identical Craftsman floor stand units. Stripped them down. Reassembled one from the best parts. Been in our shop for 30+ years.

Les

[cjc_td5]

Go and have a look at Hare & Forbes (Machineryhouse) in Perth. They have a good range on the floor and should have one in your budget range.

Belt Drive Drilling Machines | machineryhouse.com.au (http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Bench-Pedestal-Drilling-Machines)

I have one at home, great for home workshop use.

Cheers,

[rover-56]

I can only seem to find pulley drive drills in my price range. This is the best one i've found in terms of power, speed range and dropping depth. Carba-Tec® 1HP 16 Speed Pedestal Drill Press : CARBA-TEC (http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec-1hp-16-speed-pedestal-drill-press_c20117) It's a better spec-set than the Kincrome equivalent.


I looked a one of those Carba Tec ones on display. It almost vibrated itself off the bench it was on when I switched it on, everything rattled. Very rough. Would probably do the job but I have been spoiled by lifetime use of industrial grade machines.

Terry

[superquag]

That looks like the one I bought from a hardware chain for around $300 on special. A bit noisy, but otherwise smooth. Have found no issues with thicker steel when using a cutting lubricant liquid.

[Roverlord off road spares]

I bought a Hare & Forbes floor mounted pedestal drill. It is variable speed by belt and spindle adjustments. I've had it a couple of years and is excellent.
I even put a paddle in the chuck and used it as a mixing machine to mix ceramic tile adhesive with and after many loads it still goes without problems.

D147 | SPD-25A Pedestal Drill | machineryhouse.com.au (http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/D147)

[Bigbjorn]

Trade Tools advertise one with electronic variable speed for around $700. I would buy one if it was MT3 not MT2. I already have an MT2 machine, 1.5 horsepower, 16 speeds, but it is belt and pulleys. I am sick of moving belts around and want either a geared head machine or a variable speed machine.

[clubagreenie]

I had one of these, D148 | PD-22 Pedestal Drill | machineryhouse.com.au (http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/D148) and it was great. Even did small milling jobs with it before I updates to a mill for everything. The square table is far superior to the round ones as you can use T-slot clamps in them.

[wrinklearthur]

That is a similar size and HP to mine - it works fine for most things, but does start to struggle in thicker steel above a 3/4" hole. If you don't have any requirements for drilling large holes in steel on a regular basis, then it will be fine.
I have one of those Chinese bench drill presses, I woke up that the motor can get hot quickly when overloaded, I had to dismantle it to free the plastic internal fan blade after it had melted.

That mishap was a fair while ago and the drill has done it's job well, I agree it's not in the same league as the three phase engineers shop drill press, but it does me.
.

[Bigbjorn]

I had one of these, D148 | PD-22 Pedestal Drill | machineryhouse.com.au (http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/D148) and it was great. Even did small milling jobs with it before I updates to a mill for everything. The square table is far superior to the round ones as you can use T-slot clamps in them.

I concede that it is possible to perform (very) light milling tasks in a solid drill press. However a drilling machine's quill bearings are not designed to take lateral loads, only vertical thrust You will get lots of chatter if you try to take more than a very light cut. Even using a slot drill for a vertical plunge cut without a pilot hole will produce lots of chatter.