Looking for a drill press

[Kaytrim]

I am getting more tools for my workshop.  The next major purchase will be a drill press.  I am looking for opinions and advice on what I need for power, style and must haves as far as amenities.

TTFN
Kaytrim

p.s. going to start building custom sticks and need some good tools.

[ChadTower]

We can't tell you what you need until you tell us what your requirements are.

[Kaytrim]

I'll be drilling holes for dowel joinery.  A hand drill will not have the accuracy I am looking for.  I am going to be building sticks like Timoe is doing.

[ChadTower]

Drilling holes in... of what size... how deep... eh... tool choice is based on specifics of use, bro.

[Kaytrim]

Drilling holes in... of what size... how deep... eh... tool choice is based on specifics of use, bro.

Goes to show how much I know about all this.  I'll be drilling into MDF and various hardwoods.  Using 1/4" dowels drilling in about 1/2"  Here is a link to Timoe's dowel diagram.

[ChadTower]

Only for dowels?  Not for button holes or stick holes or anything else?

[Kaytrim]

I was thinking of using a router with a collar and templates for most of that.  Though I do have a good set of spade bits.  I may also need to drill a metal CP from time to time.  I wouldn't know what type or thickness of metal to use though.

Kaytrim

[ChadTower]

You keep adding on things that specifically up the requirements of the tool.  You really need to define what you're going to do with it before proceeding if you want decent answers.

[Kaytrim]

As I stated in my initial post I don't know about the tool.  As you are asking me questions I am thinking before I answer off the cuff.  If this process is getting me what I need without having to purchase something else down the road the better I feel.

Is there anything else I should be considering for drill press use?

Kaytrim

[ChadTower]

I suggest you do some reading about the tool and what it generally does.  That will help you decide what you actually need it to do.

[Kaytrim]

What I want is something that will allow me to drill accurate holes both at angle and in depth.  I'll be drilling in wood and metal.  I can't achieve that level of accuracy easily with a hand drill.  The only thing left is a drill press.  I see several models at Lowes and Home Depot.  Each more pricey than the next.  There is also table top and floor models.  I want one that will do the job and not have to go back and buy a more expensive one later.

Kaytrim

[BobA]

There are many specifics to consider when getting a drill press but one thing that you cannot get around is where on the CP are you dirlling your holes.   The distance between the drill head and the back or support on the drill press limits the distance into a CP that you can drill holes.   Example if it is seven and a half inches and  your control panel is 15 x 24 you can reach anywhere on the surface of the panel to drill a hole.  If the CP is 20 x 30 it is likely that you cannot reach the center of the CP no matter how it is postioned. 

This is why a drill press is called a 15 inch drill press.  It has a 7.5 inch depth of throat so you can reach anywhere in 15 inches.

I would suggest a self supporting floor model drill press to give you the most flexability down the road.

 

[Kaytrim]

BobA,

Thanks for the info.  I don't see myself drilling button holes on large CPs.  The 'kustom' sticks I plan on building are small single player models with one joystick and 6-8 buttons.  These usually are connected to a hacked controller for console games.  My biggest concern is drilling the holes for the dowels.  They need to be straight and at the proper angle to mate up.  I have tried this with a hand drill but was less than happy with the results.

Kaytrim

[ChadTower]

I've seen tabletop drill presses that don't have that issue... it's almost like a plunge router in concept but not designed to be moved around. 

[Rusty]

A few things to consider when buying a drill press...  An "automatic" variable speed vs. changing belts around, a cast iron table top or buying/building a project specific top, bench vs. floor, and throat depth. 

For the general purpose drilling it seems like you plan on doing, I'd recommend a 16.5" 3/4 HP floor press.  It should have enough power for any light- or medium-duty work, and should be deep enough for most projects you'll be using it for.  Look at the models with cast iron tables that tilt and have rack-and-pinion vertical adjustment.  You can add a shop-built table later.  Variable speed is quick and handy when drilling different mediums (MDF, hardwood, metal), but can drive up the price quite a bit.  If you plan on doing mostly drilling of one type or another all at the same time, changing belts shouldn't be much of a hassle.

Good luck!

[TroyO]

Also, keep in mind that for dowling quite often you are better off actually using a specialty jig with a hand drill than trying to use a drill press. A prime example are long boards that are longer than the depth of even a floor standing drill.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=9976&filter=dowel

Overal drill press features, and what they do for you:

Speeds: Usually you use faster speeds for softer stuff, and slower for harder stuff. You also vary the speed based on the size of the bit you are using. (A larger bit is moving faster at the outside edge than a small bit... this means you would generally run a 3" forstner bit a LOT slower than a 1/4" twist bit) If you plan on drilling metal with it, look for the slowest speed you can get. I often drill metal at 220 rpm, the slowest my drill will go and wish I could slow it down more. I rarely use over 2000 RPM. I keep it at 1200 RPM mostly, because it's close enough for most stuff and I'm too lazy to change it. Variable speeds make it easier to change speeds and you're less likely to just leave it at 1200 like I do and really choose the right speed instead of "close enough"

Floor standing/benchtop: Usually benchtop units are smaller and have a shallower throat, which as someone pointed out above means that you can only reach the center of smaller boards. As far as drilling height, keep in mind that most benchtop drills will allow you to swing the drill head "backwards" to the base, so that it can be set up to hang over the edge of the benchtop and use it almost like a floor standing model.

Depth stop: I'm not sure I've seen one without it? I prefer the threaded rod style of stop than the ones that have a set screw that keep the wheel from turning.

This is the one I got, it does most of what I need. I'm not super happy with the depth stop (see above) but I can fix that when I get around to it, LOL.
 
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43378

[patrickl]

I use a dowel jig thingamabob:


It's a dril press specifically made for drilling dowel holes. Works pretty well. You can either align the drill through arrows on the side or use the side rail and corner stops to place it at an exact point (corner) over and over again.

I have a "proper" drill press too, but this thing works better for dowels.

[Kaytrim]

I use a dowel jig thingamabob:


It's a dril press specifically made for drilling dowel holes. Works pretty well. You can either align the drill through arrows on the side or use the side rail and corner stops to place it at an exact point (corner) over and over again.

I have a "proper" drill press too, but this thing works better for dowels.

I have seen those.  How dose it do on edge drilling?  How does it do for depth stop?



TrouyO thanks for the very informative post.


TTFN

[patrickl]

I have seen those.  How dose it do on edge drilling?

It has a side rail (which you can see on the left of the picture) and you put some screws in to hold it in place. You need to clamp the wood, but the drill press then stays steady on the wood by itself.

If you go across a board then you use the rubber bottom. It has arrows on the side so you can follow a line.

How does it do for depth stop?

The metal ring is set on the length you want to drill. When the drill goes down it stops when the black ring runs into the black ring on the top of the base. I think the ruler on the side is a bit of a joke since you can never know how long the drill is, but if you set the ring at the right depth once it just drills every hole at the exact same depth.

I even used it in combination with those metal tips that press a hole in the other plank if you insert them into the holes drilled on one side and you press together the 2 pieces of wood that need to be joined (hope I made that clear enough, but it's a pretty common thing). I pressed down the drill till the bit came out at the bottom. Positioned the drill tip on the point. Set the jig down and then drilled the hole from there.

It works better/faster if you use the "system" though (align on corner with jig, then align on sides and use the extender for placement along sides). Then you get the holes in the same spots everywhere automatically (and evenly spaced).

[Kaytrim]

Too much work for what it's worth.  I would rather have a drill press.  There is a referbished tool shop here in town and I may take a stop over in a week or two.  I currently have a want add in my local craigslist.  We'll see what shows up.

TTFN

[bfauska]

[those metal tips

Transfer punches I believe.

As far as the dowel jig being too much work, I think you may find that something like the alignment system built into that tool is going to be fairly helpful.  Laying out the holes perfectly or building custom jigs may be more tedious than you think.  On the other hand, a drill press can do so much more than drill dowel holes, so it's probably the right tool for now, if not always.

[patrickl]

Too much work for what it's worth.  I would rather have a drill press. 

Like I said, I have a drill press too. I'd say it takes at least twice a long with a regular drill press if not more (depending how accurate you want the result). Apart from that, the end result with the jig always fits exactly and with a drill press it doesn't always fit very well.

[ScottS]

Too much work for what it's worth. 

This from the guy who doesn't know the first thing about drill presses? How do you even know you need a drill press? Maybe you can get by with a drill guide?

[Kaytrim]

again how easy is that to use on the end gran?  I doesn't look very stable.  I would rather have more control and stability over the drill for accuracy and safety.

[hng]

again how easy is that to use on the end gran?  I doesn't look very stable.  I would rather have more control and stability over the drill for accuracy and safety.

sure, the drill press might do a better job of controlling the drill, but how are you going to control the piece of wood?

[Kaytrim]

There are clamps that would take care of the wood while you run the press.  In my mind a drill press is much more versatile and safe then these drill attachments that are being mentioned above.  For example how would you drill a hole into a piece of round stock.  These drill attachments don't show the ability to do that.  A drill press with a rotating base will allow you to setup a trough that will hold the roundstock while you drill an accurate hole.

Listen I am set on getting a drill press.  I started this thread to learn more about them before I pull the trigger on the credit card.

TTFN

[patrickl]

again how easy is that to use on the end gran?  I doesn't look very stable.  I would rather have more control and stability over the drill for accuracy and safety.

It's not like a router where you hang the biggest part over the edge and you stuggle to keep it on the edge. With the dowel jig/guide you press on the drill through the "center" so there is no real force to slide it off anyway. Even without the clamp it stays on fine when you drill. The clamping helps a bit too.

[patrickl]

For example how would you drill a hole into a piece of round stock.  These drill attachments don't show the ability to do that.

Clamp the round stock and place the drill guide over the clamp or on some guide wood.

Listen I am set on getting a drill press.  I started this thread to learn more about them before I pull the trigger on the credit card.

Fair enough

I think the only thing I used my drill press for was for drilling holes in pcb's after etching the lines on it.

[Timoe]

ChadTower, in this thread, has been counter-productive   

Lowes used to have a variable speed drill press from Delta for $99.  The one they sell now though looks cheap.  Homey D's has the Ryobi for $99 though.

For Kaytrim's needs, this type of equipment will suffice.  I have gotten more than my $99 value from mine.  But now I am thinking of getting one of those $500 floor standing jobs.

Just make sure and get a combo-pack of carbide Forstner bits.  I use them all the time.

I also hope to get one of those dowel max dowel jigs from Rockler but I actually built my own jig for drilling endgrain with the drill press

[Paul Olson]

I have one of the $99 Delta bench top presses, and it works well for me. It only has about 5 in of clearance, so you can drill anywhere on a 10 in wide piece. Look at Rockler to see a nice drill press (or mini) table.

If you are going to drill a lot of button holes, lose the spade bit and pick up a Freud forstner bit. This bit is so much better than anything else I have tried. It is one of those few tools that is well worth the money.

Paul

[ChadTower]

ChadTower, in this thread, has been counter-productive   

Trying to pull out of him his requirements before making a suggestion is counter productive?  Why would we want to make recommendations for a specific tool when the guy couldn't even define what he needed it for?

Every time I tried to get a specific out of him he changed the requirements, which of course changes the required tool.  It wasn't me making that difficult.

[Kaytrim]

Don't be too hard on Chad, Timoe.  He is right.  I really didn't know what I wanted it for right off the bat.  Chad helped me to solidify my reasonings.

[Molinero]

Can you drill with a router? I don't understand 

[patrickl]

With a Forstner bit you can

[Xiaou2]

 I highly recommend a  Radial Drill Press:





http://www.grizzly.com/products/g7946



  The main reason:  For the Ability to adjust the throat depth from 5"  to  16"  deep!
But also, you can see that the head can be adjusted to any angle!     Also,
the table angle can be adjust too.

 Its well worth the extra cost over typical presses.    Just the fact that you can drill
into the center of a 32" piece of material     


 Description
This 5 speed floor radial drill press features variable swing up to 34" and pivoting heads for drilling at just about any angle. Truly versatile!

Specifications:

    * Motor: 1/2-HP, 110V
    * Overall Height: 64-1/2"
    * Spindle travel: 3-1/4"
    * Number of speeds: 5
    * Drill chuck: 1/8"-5/8"
    * Range of speeds: 550, 880, 1520, 2490, 3470 RPM
    * Swing: 34" maximum
    * Table: Precision ground cast iron
    * Table size: 12-1/4" Dia.
    * Table swing: 360°
    * Table tilts: 90° in both directions


 I have the Harbor Freight version.  I bought it for about $200.   Only
regret was not finding out about these sooner.   I gave my lousy 9" press
away.

[Timoe]

Hey, hows that Harbor Freight Feel?  Does it feel like quality for $200?

[ScottS]

Can you drill with a router? I don't understand 

With a spiral bit and a plunge router, you can make very accurate, very straight holes though you are fairly limited in the depth of cut that can be made...

[Xiaou2]

 Timoe,

  Not sure what you mean.

 
 I have not done anything industrial on it, so I decided to try a 2 1/8"   fostner bit
out on a 2*4.   Sadly, it wasnt doing too well.  But I strongly suspected that the
bit was improperly sharpened...  So,  I loaded a 2" Fostner bit in,  and it didnt have any
trouble.   (bits from HF too,  so that would explain that)

 The Motor could be a little more powerful,  as mine is only 1/3rd HP.   But, its
done fine so far for the things Ive needed to use it for.  I could always install
a more powerful motor later if I ever need to.    I can tell you one thing...  At
its highest speed ratio,  that sucker is 'scary fast'. (I know HP and speed
are unrelated..  just wanted to make a point of it)

 Ive not tested to see how True its alignment is,  but I dont thing I will ever
need that kind of precision anyways.   All in all, it appears to drill very straight
holes with ease.

 The Machine is heavy, and Pretty Solid feeling.

 Its a breeze to quickly adjust all the settings on it.   

 It seems to sit a little high for my likes.  Which isnt that bad, but
sometimes I wish it were a bit lower,  as raising heavy / wide 
materials up that high can be a witch.    Im sure work supports
would help that a bit.

 For $100 more than the 9" press I used to use,  Its way worth it.
There is so much I could not do with the old press, that it was
very frustrating.   

 I really couldnt afford more than that, so to me, its a great deal.

 

[Timoe]

That drill press looks like a monster.  I'll have to find a Harbor Freight near me and check one out.

[Kaytrim]

Most of these presses are poorly rated by customers.  The model you have above is only rated as 1 star on Amazon.com.