Benchtop drill press preferences

[lakelover]

Just wondering what your preferences are for 12" benchtop drill presses in the $200-ish price range. I'm looking at the Delta DP300L 12". I have an antique Shopmaster press that I may need to replace.

http://www.amazon.com/DELTA-DP300L-12-Inch-TwinLaser-Crosshair/dp/B000IZC28U



The laser cross hair feature on this is not a big selling point for me. Any thoughts or recommendations?

 

[oldsub86]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Spend a bit more and get the one with variable speed.
I know I am much more inclined to change speed to what it should be when I don't have to mess with belts and pulleys.
Just turn it on and turn the handle to whatever speed you need. Very Slick.

 

[NetDoc]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Its a 12" throat which is great. Good price.

 

[cribber]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

This one is variable speed from 620 to 3100 rpm by adjusting the belt under the cover. You can't go wrong with Delta for hobby quality tools for minor day to day use. For continous duty with 8 hours a day operation every day or longer you need to spend quite a bit more for something really heavy duty. I have an older version of this one and does the job I need it to do.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

I sold professional wood/metal working tools a few years back and I can tell you that the brand name doesn't matter as much as you think. I saw ShopFox stuff that would out perform Delta hands down but it had to be setup right. ShopFox did use cheaper copper in their motors so they drew more current and tended to heat up. Grizzly doesn't make anything so don't be fooled, all their stuff is either seconds or recon'd. That doesn't make them all bad it just means you might end up returning it a couple of times to get a good one. Jet is pretty much gone to the birds but PowerMatic and Wilton still hold there place in the market pretty well. Look for those as used items and you'll find some real gems. When Black&Decker bought Porter Cable and Delta, a lot of the stuff got shuffled around and painted different colors. The DeWalt stuff went they way of the Big Box stuff and in my opinion, you'd be better off buying Harbor Freight. I've got their 20" floor model but I burnt the motor up in the first week and got disgusted with the chuck. I've replaced both and it's decent but not what I would consider a machinist version by any means. General probably makes the best product out there right now but it's hard to find anyone that carries them in the U.S. I had a really hard time getting them and sometimes waited several months.

You said your budget was around 200.00 so the Delta isn't a bad choice. Buy it in the box and assemble it yourself, you'll be happy you did. There aren't any weird tricks to assembly but you do need to follow the instructions. A lot of store employees don't do that well.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

I had considered the next Delta up with the variable speed, but read some reviews that mentioned reliability issues and reinforced my belief that simpler is better. I don't mind changing pulleys to change speeds. I use my current one quite a bit, but by no means is it heavy duty use, just for projects and repairs etc.

All good points to consider, thanks.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

I'd be seeing what I could get on Craigslist. It's usually loaded with tools like that.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Benchtop drill press preferences

You should be able to get an old Rockwell or similiar old brand off craigslist or ebay for around $200. Much better quality than anything you will find in that price range new.

I bought a 1940's Avey drillpress for around $400 a few years ago and aside from it weighing around 400lbs it is a very good drill.

 

[kahuna123]

Re: Benchtop drill press preferences

I bought my delta 20 years ago and used it to build power panels on larger boats and other things. It still works fine. Its very similar to the one you are looking at. I bought a Freud router on sale last year and will NEVER look at another porter cable. Point being is there is probably always something better out there.
Its really a shame that with our technology today we make such crap. I have seen printing presses that run 12 hours a day that are 50 years old. My friend owns a machine shop and makes elevator shafts. (short ones). His main lathe has printed on it. "Property of the War Department" 1941. Its never been apart.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Benchtop drill press preferences

Its really a shame that with our technology today we make such crap. I have seen printing presses that run 12 hours a day that are 50 years old. My friend owns a machine shop and makes elevator shafts. (short ones). His main lathe has printed on it. "Property of the War Department" 1941. Its never been apart.

I hear you on that. My current drill press that I'm going to pursue fixing before considering a new one was actually owned by my grandfather, who died in 1961. You can't beat some of those older ones.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

I'd be seeing what I could get on Craigslist. It's usually loaded with tools like that.

You're right on that, a quick look shows several possibilities between $50-90.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Here's the current one, Shopmaster model # DP603, I can't seem to find any info on it online. After looking it over some more, it looks as though I'll be able to keep using it instead of replacing it after all, but thanks for the input.

 

[NetDoc]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Dude, that's a classic! Why would you want a new one? Replace the motor if you must, that's an awesome machine!

 

[lakelover]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Dude, that's a classic! Why would you want a new one? Replace the motor if you must, that's an awesome machine!

Yeah, that's what I think! If I remember correctly, I did replace the motor about 20-25 years ago, that works fine.

I broke off one of the bolts that allows the motor to slide back and forth on the rails to move the belt & adjust speeds. I tried removing the stub and broke off the bolt extractor!... I had barely started turning it, very carefully, and POP, it snapped right off.

I found that by loosening the one bolt on the other side, I'm able to move things just enough to change the belt position thru the whole range. I was delighted when I discovered that!!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Oh that is nice and absolutely worth new bearings, bolts and a full restoration!!!!! I would absolutely stay with the old one.

 

[NetDoc]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

I tried removing the stub and broke off the bolt extractor!... I had barely started turning it, very carefully, and POP, it snapped right off.

Bolt extractors were designed by Satan himself. They are hard to cut and so are quite brittle. A careful drilling would be a better solution.

 

[mscher]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

I have a Delta model similar to the one you are condisdering (may be the same, minus the light and tool holder). Purchased it new and used about 3 times in 17 years. Solid machine, but nothing special. Made in Taiwan.

I'd suggest finding some hardcore beast off Craigslist, for half the price, as others have suggested, also.

Good luck

 

[mscher]

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Re: Benchtop drill press prefereneces

Here's the current one, Shopmaster model # DP603, I can't seem to find any info on it online. After looking it over some more, it looks as though I'll be able to keep using it instead of replacing it after all, but thanks for the input.

I missed this post.

This one looks like it is more heavy duty that that "Delta" anyway.