14" drill press

[natec]

I'm on the verge of picking up this:

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-14-heavy-duty-benchtop-drill-press/g7943

Does anyone have any alternates they recommend I check out first?

Nate

 

[bluesfordan]

check Craigs List, got a Makita like that for 50 dollars.

 

[Nicko_Lps]

Does anyone have any alternates they recommend I check out first?

My father owned this cast iron drill press since.. before i was born and i still have it in use:
https://www.auctelia.com/en/used-eq...umn-pillar/drill-press-king-tnw16/index/55425

Yes you dont need to pay that much for a drill press when you can find a used old cast iron one at probably the 1/4 of that price

 

[lmjmitchell]

A cheap drill press from Lowes is fine provided you take the time to ensure the table is level.

 

[Gardo]

I’ve had a relatively cheap drilpress for years. It works fine except for one problem, chuck won’t grip the very small drill bits like 1/16

 

[mfguitar]

I find Grizzly tools to be more than adequate, I do get by with a much cheaper alternative and sometimes use my Shopsmith as well.

 

[telemnemonics]

check Craigs List, got a Makita like that for 50 dollars.

The Grizzly is almost 150lbs and has a 3/4hp motor.
Does Makita even make a drill press that big?
I find up here in New England, a good BIG drill press sells instantly if under $200.

This 14" swing Grizzly runs 3-4 times the price of a smaller 8-12" swing that weighs half as much and has 1/3 the power.

 

[telemnemonics]

A cheap drill press from Lowes is fine provided you take the time to ensure the table is level.

Cheaper is always also smaller.
Smaller means you cannot for example drill the string through holes in a Tele body, because the swing or capacity doesn't reach that far from the edge of the piece.

 

[telemnemonics]

I'm on the verge of picking up this:

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-14-heavy-duty-benchtop-drill-press/g7943

Does anyone have any alternates they recommend I check out first?

Nate

Look for holiday sales at Woodcraft and Rockler?
IDK the used tools market in your area, have you followed CL tools section?

 

[Archtops]

I like the Grizzly DP. Heavy Duty with room to work. I would check around for used but wouldn’t be too quick to jump on one that didn’t satisfy your requirements. Best of luck!

 

[BossRoss]

I’ve had a relatively cheap drilpress for years. It works fine except for one problem, chuck won’t grip the very small drill bits like 1/16

Hi, Same issue solved by removing smaller chuck with its shaft from broken drill. Just clamp the small chuck in the larger one and drill away. Ross

 

[trev333]

got this in '09 new for under 300... no brainer for guitar and other work.. certainly paid for itself many times over, in usefulness..

makes a good bird feeder as well...

 

[Gardo]

Hi, Same issue solved by removing smaller chuck with its shaft from broken drill. Just clamp the small chuck in the larger one and drill away. Ross

I did something similar. I got a small hex shank chuck for a drill driver and got the same result .

 

[bluesfordan]

some serious drill press porn in this thread. My used one i bought 4 or 5 years ago has yet to be used by me. I was just about to build the workshop when family stuff intervened. I do plan to bring it down cellar and finalize a neck that has been waiting for mounting holes since I bought the drill. I also got to get my work bench down stairs as well.

 

[guitarbuilder]

Buy a brand that might have available parts down the road in 20 years when you need a return spring or something. I just bought a Jet drum sander and it is 100 percent better than the Delta it replaced. I'd go Jet, Grizzly, or Powermatic for a machine these days. That eliminates the junk from the list. The extra 100 dollars you pay will yield better quality control and perhaps some service center for it. You get what you pay for with machinery, today more than ever.

There are differences that you don't see right away, like the handles striping out of pot metal and tables that flex when you put pressure on them. Elevating rack and pinions that snap off rendering them kind of useless. I saw this first hand even with some of the name brands we had at the school I taught at. The no name ( cheap machines were the worst in Bandsaws and Drill presses.


By the way, my Delta 14 floor model drill press is now 40 years old and the only thing that it needed was a return spring and a new chuck key about 20 years ago easily purchased. It is probably the most used machine I have, with the jointer, and bandsaw coming in close second/third.


I wouldn't buy a little benchtop for the stuff I do but there is this.
The Best Drill Presses (Review) in 2021 - Woodsmith

 

[johnDH]

I just inherited a good sized floor mounted one from my father-in-law, who died earlier this year. His two sons were happy for me to take it, since one has all the tools he needs and the other is not into them. My first job is to mount it. I dont think the slab in my shed is good enough, so I'm thinking to build a wide platform out of wood sleepers.

 

[Red Ryder]

Grizzlies are a good old product you can shop for something used. The 14" swing and weight are important. The weight especially for stability. The bench top just fine when anchored on a solid bench. Another plus for the Grizzly is the slow speed capability.

 

[trev333]

more drill porn....

 

[guitarbuilder]

Another thing not mentioned is the spindle run out. Better quality machines will have tighter tolerances. You should prefer to drill holes that are as accurate as you can get. You don't want an ellipse driller.

 

[natec]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I have been watching for a used one, but I haven't seen as many (quality) tools on the used market since the <big event> started. More folks are tinkering at home I suppose.

I am replacing a small 'big box' drill and for sure want a bigger, heavier, more solidly built one as an upgrade.