looking for advice on drill press

popthree · January 12th, 2007, 12:19 PM

hey, i want to buy a drill press for general use in my garage....and occasionally punching holes in guitars for various reasons. what 'throw' should i get...8, 10 or 12 " ? can anyone recommend a decent one that won't break the bank? i will consider new or used.

thanks

cacibi · January 12th, 2007, 01:17 PM

12"!!!!!

I believe you need at least a 12" press to reach the string through holes on a tele body. I know I was utterly dismayed when I realized my press was not large enough to reach them. I just got a Craftsman press from Sears; works great on wood or metal projects.

eryque · January 12th, 2007, 01:58 PM

I probably got that same Craftsman benchtop model. 12" w/ Laser guides for $179 on sale. Maybe it was $159. I like everything but the wobbliness of the table. The wobbliness goes away when you lock it down, but I'm not positive it's completely square to the bit.

FYI, a keyless chuck is becoming very popular, but I don't like it on the drill press. I can't cinch the chuck down tight enough and eventually the bit gets loose. I'd suggest a model with a standard keyed chuck. Someday I'll get around to replacing mine.

1293 · January 12th, 2007, 02:09 PM

I have this one: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...50L&lpage=none

It has a great table for wood working (most drill presses have tables more suited for metal working) and its also got a decent quill stroke in this price range, which means less messing around with table height adjustment.

popthree · January 13th, 2007, 12:44 AM

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...00L&lpage=none

i'm kinda liking the price of this one better. i've heard delta is good stuff.

Robbie W · January 13th, 2007, 01:17 AM

For $39.99 here is a great "bang for the buck" press. I have one of these and love it. 5 speeds and a 1/2" chuck. I have used one for about 3 1/2 years and it has performed great. Only 8" swing so it is kind of small and limited but it has been a pleasant surprise, especially for the price.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44506

take care,
Robbie Wallace
RGW Electronics

January 12th, 2007, 12:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
popthree Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Age: 43 Posts: 2,962 49 Photos	looking for advice on drill press hey, i want to buy a drill press for general use in my garage....and occasionally punching holes in guitars for various reasons. what 'throw' should i get...8, 10 or 12 " ? can anyone recommend a decent one that won't break the bank? i will consider new or used. thanks __________________ "chips are falling....." -Dr. Johnny Fever

January 12th, 2007, 01:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
cacibi Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,747	12"!!!!! I believe you need at least a 12" press to reach the string through holes on a tele body. I know I was utterly dismayed when I realized my press was not large enough to reach them. I just got a Craftsman press from Sears; works great on wood or metal projects. __________________ www.krisgeren.com

January 12th, 2007, 01:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
eryque Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: albany, ny [not chicago] Posts: 7,243 44 Photos	I probably got that same Craftsman benchtop model. 12" w/ Laser guides for $179 on sale. Maybe it was $159. I like everything but the wobbliness of the table. The wobbliness goes away when you lock it down, but I'm not positive it's completely square to the bit. FYI, a keyless chuck is becoming very popular, but I don't like it on the drill press. I can't cinch the chuck down tight enough and eventually the bit gets loose. I'd suggest a model with a standard keyed chuck. Someday I'll get around to replacing mine. __________________ my blog: eryque.blogspot.com Updated 9.17.08! Subscribe_____________________

January 13th, 2007, 12:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
popthree Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Age: 43 Posts: 2,962 49 Photos	http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...00L&lpage=none i'm kinda liking the price of this one better. i've heard delta is good stuff. __________________ "chips are falling....." -Dr. Johnny Fever

January 13th, 2007, 01:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
Robbie W Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 360	something to look at... For $39.99 here is a great "bang for the buck" press. I have one of these and love it. 5 speeds and a 1/2" chuck. I have used one for about 3 1/2 years and it has performed great. Only 8" swing so it is kind of small and limited but it has been a pleasant surprise, especially for the price. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44506 take care, Robbie Wallace RGW Electronics __________________ "Always do right- this will gratify some and astonish the rest." - Mark Twain

January 12th, 2007, 02:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
1293 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,576	I have this one: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...50L&lpage=none It has a great table for wood working (most drill presses have tables more suited for metal working) and its also got a decent quill stroke in this price range, which means less messing around with table height adjustment.