Tom Cancelleri Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Might be getting one this weekend. Anyone have any experience with it? I've read some great reviews and read some really bad reviews. I prefer to go by the experience that woodworkers that are competent have to say about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstroDave Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Tom did you check out the one on CL locally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted February 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Tom did you check out the one on CL locally? Yea, I'm picking it up Saturday unless I get a lot of "RUN FOR THE HILLS" replies here from everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstroDave Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Excellent... I was considering it...seems like a good deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted February 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 His reason for selling is the fact that his new shop is 1/4 the size of his old shop so he needs the floor space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 PM drill presses are essentially like all others in that price range. They are nothing special and are just OK. Many expect a great drill press for that sort of money but in reality its not going to happen. A truly good drill press will cost 3 times that amount. They are plenty good enough for most every one but will have little things that bother folks. They need to have the adjustable pulley lubricated on a regular schedule if not they will start to bind. The tool free chucks are just ok they don't grip as tightly as a good chuck. All in all I think you will be more than happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Agree with Don...they're disappointing. I have the regular 2800...I don't know what kind of improvements they made on the 2800B but I hope they're significant. I don't have any huge complaints about mine...just fit and finish really. Surprisingly Mickey Mouse for the cost. The fence is not 90* to the table and I could think of no way to remedy that aside from blue tape. I'm planning to build a new fence eventually. All that said, it gets the job done and if you can get a good price on a lightly used one it's probably a no-brainer. But it is one purchase that I somewhat regret...I surely could have saved some money buying a different make. But it is done. In short...they look a lot cooler than they actually are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Eric, The B is improved. The table got rid of those stupid wings and the fence is better but no dust collection if that makes a difference. The drive system is improved and they run quite abit smoother. Other than that its still not something to write home about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 I have used a bench top for years and years and have never ever though of upgrading or wanting a stand alone. His reason for selling sounds unreal about shop space. Drill press has a small foot print . Why would he sell it? Probably paid all that money for a mustard color machine, to drop a seldom amount of holes in wood. Not enough juice for the squeeze in my book. Hope you get it for a good price. -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 They are definitely better than a Grizzly or similar, Ill give them that but they are no Clousing but they are also not 4+ thousand dollars either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted February 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 My other option is a Jet JDP-17. For the PM, what would you say is a fair price to pay? It's in like new condition. http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/jet-716300#specs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 The good news: as a woodworking drill press, the 2800b is just fine... The bad: It’s quite expensive for what it is (it's not a metal working DP) and PM had issues with the first two (and probably three) production batches… I recounted this odyssey in a post from ‘13 – Google is your friend… There were issues with the variable drive train, spindle/arbor/taper assembly runout, and/or laser guides (different problems in each batch). PM suspended production for six (or more) months to get the kinks out. During this time, quite a few floor model, demo and talking-head/sponsorship units were sold (read as unloaded before the issues were made public and their owners got stuck with a lemon). Based on SN ranges, I think there are around 750 of these units floating around. Some six plus months after my order was placed (and cc charged), it was fulfilled with one of the first units of the second/third production run (some of which had laser issues – mine included). If evaluating a used unit, look for serial number 13060729 or later… Units much before this will be from the suspect batches… They could have been retrofitted and be just fine, or not… Caveat Emptor… Note: the 2800B is a woodworking/DIY drill press, not suficient power/runout/etc for metalworking, machinist, etc... A lot of bad press came from those expecting a low-end machinest-grade press (based on price) and were disappointed (based on quality)… Unfortunately many somehow believe you could get a machinest press for $1300 -- not going to happen -- even used... My knits to pick: it’s expensive for what it is, the table is too small and the chuck (Woodstock) is just lacking… Not much I could do about price, but the other two items got addressed: BB overlay to address the small table and a Jacobs JKP/HP for the chuck… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 My other option is a Jet JDP-17. For the PM, what would you say is a fair price to pay? It's in like new condition. http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/jet-716300#specs Im sure you will be happy with either. The jet does not have as much power but I don't think that will make much difference. Unless you intend to use something like a hinge boring head I doubt you will need the extra hp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteJr Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I have a 2800 unit built in 2008. It's very noisy at low speed to the point that I wear hearing protection. Biggest disappointment of all my Powermatic purchases! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted February 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Decided on the Jet. Ordered it this morning, except it's not part of Jet's 15% off sale since it's a new model. My main reason against getting the powermatic... Reeve's drive speed adjustment. I am not a fan of it on a lathe, I'm sure I'm not gonna like it on a drill press. Generally they are prone to sticking and not being reliable. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I have a 2800 unit built in 2008. It's very noisy at low speed to the point that I wear hearing protection. Biggest disappointment of all my Powermatic purchases! You should probably fix the problem. Mine is very quiet, its usually a lubrication issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I'm sure they are okay, but I wouldn't trade my 1956 1150, even with changing the belts to change speeds, and a trailer tongue jack to change the table height, for two of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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