Drill press recommendations

[oldag]

Looking at picking up a benchtop drill press. Can't seem to find any made in the US.

Perhaps a JET 3/4 hp.
https://jettools.com/354401

Anyone have experience with JET tools?

Any other recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[Axxe55]

JET tools are decent quality IMO. I think the amount of usage and what you are going to be drilling makes a huge difference in picking a drill press.

 

[Axxe55]

I picked up this one from Northern Tool last year and so far it has been a decent drill press.

Ironton Benchtop Drill Press 5-Speed, 8in., 1/3 HP | Northern Tool

This Ironton® 8in. Benchtop Drill Press is a compact yet powerful bench-mount press that delivers precision drilling and pinpoint ...

www.northerntool.com

 

[Vaquero]

I got a harbor freight one.
I wouldn't recommend that.

 

[brashears9567]

I got a harbor freight one.
I wouldn't recommend that.

Stay away from harbor freight drill presses. I'm giving mine away and replacing with something decent. I measured the runout of the chuck and it's completely unacceptable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[striker55]

Don't know if they are any good but saw this on Woot today https://tools.woot.com/plus/drill-presses?ref=w_gw_dd_4

 

[oldag]

Appreciate the input.

Primarily drilling steel and cast iron, up to ~1/4", maybe 3/8". Not doing production, so usage would not be that heavy.

 

[Axxe55]

Appreciate the input.

Primarily drilling steel and cast iron, up to ~1/4", maybe 3/8". Not doing production, so usage would not be that heavy.

I would check out Craigslist as well. I have seen some older name brand drill presses going pretty cheap in their classifieds.

 

[Axxe55]

I got a harbor freight one.
I wouldn't recommend that.

I looked at the Harbor Freight drill press, and the approximately same sized one from Northern Tool was 14 pounds heavier. It was a little more expensive, but I think it should last longer.

 

[AZ Refugee]

I have a Craftsman Bench Top I bought 3 or 4 years ago. I think its a 12". I have been happy with it. I had a small harbor freight, it was ok, but this definitely has more power and is a tighter unit. It is comparable to what Lowes and Home Depot have.

 

[oldag]

I would check out Craigslist as well. I have seen some older name brand drill presses going pretty cheap in their classifieds.

Good suggestion. I am checking a couple out. Will just have to seen how worn they are given their age.

 

[Axxe55]

Good suggestion. I am checking a couple out. Will just have to seen how worn they are given their age.

I would venture a guess, that like many older items that are well made, most will not be worn out. They might need a little cleaning and oiling and some cosmetic attention.

 

[AZ Refugee]

the one I have is similar to this one if its not the same one.

https://sanmarcos.craigslist.org/tls/d/new-braunfels-craftsman-10-drill-press/7473762678.html

 

[Texasjack]

Grizzly had a good reputation for their drill presses. They make about every size there is, from little bench tops to computer controlled monsters. They're made in Taiwan, so they're sorta Chinese, but better quality. I have a bench belt grinder that is an absolute tank. The box it was shipped in was completely destroyed, but the machine was solid. I know quite a few people who use it and they just never break. I only wish it was a lot slower speed.

I've got an old Craftsman bench top drill press that I've used for many years. It's been just about perfect for what I've needed.

I hear good things on the internet tool sites about Wen tools. I think they're very similar to Grizzly. Jet makes decent small units.

 

[Axxe55]

Grizzly had a good reputation for their drill presses. They make about every size there is, from little bench tops to computer controlled monsters. They're made in Taiwan, so they're sorta Chinese, but better quality. I have a bench belt grinder that is an absolute tank. The box it was shipped in was completely destroyed, but the machine was solid. I know quite a few people who use it and they just never break. I only wish it was a lot slower speed.

I've got an old Craftsman bench top drill press that I've used for many years. It's been just about perfect for what I've needed.

I hear good things on the internet tool sites about Wen tools. I think they're very similar to Grizzly. Jet makes decent small units.

Grizzly makes some solid equipment, but usually out of the price range for most home hobbiests. If you can afford it, it has a reputation of being made for the long term.

 

[Lonesome Dove]

Buy something old on ebay or the FB marketplace. Worry none about over seas of yesteryear.

 

[Tnhawk]

I got a harbor freight one.
I wouldn't recommend that

I avoid harbor freight tools. If I need a tool, I need a better quality tool than I've seen there.

 

[Grumps21]

I got a WEN back in 2017. Would I like to have gotten something USA made? Absolutely. But, for the light duty work I do and the frequency I use it, this one works just fine. Gobs better than a hand drill, has a laser and work light, got plenty power, and didn’t break the bank. Oh, and it’s heavy...

I noticed it went up by 100 bucks since I bought this model.

 

[Younggun]

I avoid harbor freight tools. If I need a tool, I need a better quality tool than I've seen there.

When I used to put up metal buildings we used Chicago electric shop saws. Always failed before the warranty expired so we just went and got a new one, lol.

Also used to stock harbor freight sockets and wrenches on the work truck. They got lost too often to spend money on anything else and worked fine for basic wrenching.

Bought an engine stand there. It managed to home a 350 but would be scary with anything bigger. Used it the one time and it’s been collecting dust ever since. If I come across someone needing to use one I’ll give it too then since it was too cheap to matter anyways.

Harbor freight has its place. I just don’t buy anything there I plan to use more than once or twice when it’s just not worth paying 2-3 times more. Wouldn’t buy anything that needs to have good tolerances though.

 

[HKSig]

I have a ~60 year old Montgomery Wards drill press. Still working.