Dustin Cookson Posted March 11, 2018 Report Share Posted March 11, 2018 Just like the title says, im in the market for a drill press. Price in so so much an issue. I just want a machine that has quality, I will never regret buying. Size wise I will most likely go for at least an 18" model. Power can be either 110v or 220v. Thanks for any input Dustin Cookson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondhockey Posted March 11, 2018 Report Share Posted March 11, 2018 I bought a used Delta 18" model. No fancy electronics, have to change speeds by changing belt configurations. But I love it. Biggest improvement I would like is the table/fence configuration; I would suggest trying that out before buying - make sure you like the flexibility and ease of centering a piece to be drilled, lining up a piece for multiple holes, clamping down work, changing the table height for different sized pieces and using the stop to drill part way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 11, 2018 Report Share Posted March 11, 2018 It's been so long since I bought a drill press, is 18" the distance from the column to the center of the chuck ? Or is it 9" and deceptive but considered acceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondhockey Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 I think you nailed (drilled?) it, Werker (twice the clearance from center of chuck to column.). https://ozarktoolmanuals.com/ozarkshoptalkblog/how-to-measure-and-size-a-drill-press/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin Cookson Posted March 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 Thanks for the suggestions on the table. I've never owned a drill press so thats the kind of input I really like pond hockey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 Here is a good 18" drill press. I've always wanted one of these, but never bad enough to pay for it, and I've never seen a used one for sale. http://www.ellissaw.com/drill-press-9400/#specifications Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alicewfalls Posted March 21, 2018 Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 Delta 18'' is a very accurate drill press. Wide range. Great torque. It gets the job done for both metal and lumber. The price point for what it does is great. Yoy will be getting your money's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted March 21, 2018 Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 Gonna need a budget figure here. For some reason the drill press is the most challenging machine for a lot of brands to make decently. We have the technology, just not the wherewithal I guess. The new Powermatic 2800b cured a lot of the 2800's ills but, still seems to be hit an miss based on owner reviews. The Delta 18-900 and the new Nova are the darlings in the under $3k class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted March 24, 2018 Report Share Posted March 24, 2018 How about the new Nova DVR Drill press? Any opinions on that? https://www.teknatool.com/product/nova-voyager-dvr-drill-press/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhLWN4oOF2gIVE7XACh3Z7A7iEAAYASAAEgLzPPD_BwE I don't see an exlicit statement, but based on the table size this may only be 16 1/2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 24, 2018 Report Share Posted March 24, 2018 I just looked over the Nova drill press. It's an 18" ( drills max 9 " from the column.) Supposed to be same motor as their direct drive lathes have. Little screen and a bunch of options mostly controlled by turning a knob and selecting a setting. 50 to 5500 rpm and it increases the torque to maintain speed (kinda like the PC 7518 router does). So that feature should be a fairly reliable mature technology, it's been around for many years. It's even got updatable software. But what happens years from now as far as parts or software ? If you enjoy bells and whistles, have the $$$$ and trust electronics to last for decades maybe you take a chance. I will let the early adopters see how it pans out over the longer run. I've got a 30+ year old Porter Cable commercial/industrial router with the variable speed/ torque. Rockwell developed the controls for hydraulic actuators on the Space Shuttle & they owned Porter Cable at the time. Router still runs fine, it was the predecessor to the 7518. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin Cookson Posted April 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 Thanks guys for the reply's. I'm liking the Nova drill press. Might have to put the drill press on hold for a milling machine though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted April 12, 2018 Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 I have a HF drillpress so can’t attest to quality. But economy wise, you can’t beat it. Not only on purchase price but on drill bit savings. I can easily drill a 3/8” hole with a 1/4” bit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeset202 Posted April 12, 2018 Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 Coop, you crack me up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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