What drill press?

Keith Willis

Keith Willis

Well-Known Member
I am looking to buy a drill press to use for folders.
I'm not wanting to spend a lot of money,but I want something
that will work.
I have a Habor Freight that may be ok,It's just that I
am wanting to purchase another.
Any advice?
Thanks,

God bless,Keith
 
Keith, I bought 11 Harbor Freights and have each set up as it's own workstation that keeps the same setup. For about $40 a piece, kinda hard to beat. I removed the adjustable table and just use the base. I cut the main shaft to the length I wanted it to be with the tool in it.
 
GLWJ/CK said:
Keith, I bought 11 Harbor Freights and have each set up as it's own workstation that keeps the same setup. For about $40 a piece, kinda hard to beat. I removed the adjustable table and just use the base. I cut the main shaft to the length I wanted it to be with the tool in it.
Click to expand...

Boy !!!!.......I thought I was stylin with 3 presses and a mill.
Good idea on cutting the main shaft Dave.

Kieth,
I just bought the Craftsman 10" this past year. Forget about the laser thingamabob on it but it will handle just about anything we need to do. I put a 5/8 keyless chuck on it...no lost keys. I also have 2 smaller Craftsmans, one with a tapping attachment. They were relatively cheap and work just fine. (they're probably made by the same manufacturer as harbor freight's )

Rudy
 
Rudy, how expensive was the keyless chuck for that one? I have the same model.
 
Murph,
I already had it from a floor model press I had a few years ago. I paid right around 75 to 80 dollars back when. I've seen some cheaper deals on fleabay though. This chuck goes from 3/32 to 5/8.
Rudy
 
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I have several Harbor freight drill presses.
I sprung for the $100 12 speed version though...

You can buy the Enco brand drill chuck for about $45 for a 1/2" version.

They are decent chucks, and go down to a more useful size too.
I think mine will hold a .015" drill, which is smaller than I need.
3/32 is too big though, I regularly drill smaller than that.
 
Yup, shop around, there are several out there for low cost that actually work pretty well. Like Rudy says, some may well be made in the same factory with different paint-jobs and stickers.

I'm "inheriting" a 10" Ryobi that I will leave set up fast and keep clean for handle materials, and leave my Craftsman set slow for steel. Don't have to worry so much about oil and steel chips getting on my wood/micarta that way, and it will save a little time. I'm jelaous of Dave's set-up! If you have room, I don't think you can really have "too many" drill presses.
 
The reason I put the 5/8 chuck on it is that the smaller presses would bind up or jam when drilling larger holes like 1/2" or a couple times the chucks flew right off because they're only jt2 tapered fit. I've not had that problem with the 10" even on 3/4" drill bits.

Rudy
 
I hear ya Rudy, I too have a larger press.

Keith specified folder making though, and that means small bits.
I regularly drill sub 1/16" holes.
 
Harbor freight presses are OK.

I have 2 a bench top and a larger floor model. Both came with chucks and have been the best tool I have ever gotten fro HF.
And I have purchased alot of there tools along the way. Now I dont buy there stuff anymore. unless its for a quick job or home project.

Yea. I have had a few BAD experiences with there tools basically falling apart of breaking down and burning up the first week I had it.. Although they are very good about replacing these tools. the time and money lost to go and get the second tool thats normally as bad as the first on is a total waste.. So I have learned the hard way to bite the bullet and Buy a quality tool..
Yet I gota say, starting out or on a budget.. some of there tools are perfectly fine.. Im a heavy duty kinda guy and use the crap outa my tools kind guy! . so under normal use.. weekend warrior stuff. most probably will last and preform good enough to get the job done!

Anyways, sry to go off on a tangent, I just made a 3rd trip there to replace a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder.. Each time I upgraded to what they said was a better higher power more durable tool, and the 3rd one burned up faster then the first 2!! Thats when I threw it away and just purchased a real angle grinder from DeWalt! What a differences!

Wow, I may need anger management classes over this! lolol Time to get back to work! :) Hope you find a good press.
 
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