Looking for Floor Standing Drill Press Recs


Jonathan McCully

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Hey everyone, been awhile since I’ve been on here. Life has been a bit crazy, and I’m getting back into the game a bit.

Getting prepped to build a Roubo, using Wood Whisperer/Benchcrafted build and feel like I need to add a drill press to my shop in order to accurately place all of those dog holes.

Would like to purchase a floor standing model but not the high end ones like Delta 18-900 or PM as I’m not sure how much I will actually use it over time. Curious if you all have any thoughts. Had responded to MJC on another thread about his Grizzly, but seems he’s disappeared from the forums for the time being. Saw a good FWW review from 2015 about the Porter Cable model, but then saw some reviews about them changing it in 2019 and the quality being lower. Not sure what to believe, but have come to trust the thoughts of the woodworkers on this forum, so would love to hear what you have to say. 

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If you are not a heavy DP user you can fudge almost anything through a job.  I only say this as good drill presses are expensive for some reason (that would be because we will pay it) and you should put your money where it will serve you the best.  Dog holes are better dealt with using a router IMHO.  Finish up with a Forstner or other quality 3/4" bit.

I start the hole with a 3/4" Forstner in a hand held drill to assure accuracy.  I can then use this 1/8" or so hole to center the router (mounted to a board that can be clamped in place) and plunge the lion's share of the hole.  I finish up with a backer board and a 3/4" Speedbore. The long sides of the Speedbore use the routed hole as a drill guide.

56f7c54e1152c_MoreDogHoles6.thumb.jpg.1e1717cd69202dfb72f5ec950e697854.jpg

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I bought a 20" Jet from Home depot. It was $100 less due to promotion. This one https://www.homedepot.com/p/Jet-1-5-HP-20-in-Floor-Standing-Drill-Press-with-Worklight-12-Speed-115-230-Volt-JDP-20MF-354170/204059824?mtc=Shopping-B-F_D28I-G-D28I-28_20_FIREPLACE-MULTI-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-BASE_SHP&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-F_D28I-G-D28I-28_20_FIREPLACE-MULTI-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-BASE_SHP-71700000041073829-58700005431790630-92700051935565326&gclid=CjwKCAjwi_b3BRAGEiwAemPNU60m62ul8rtHnwTEHMoPO6Hr6Zin9emQ9KdC9EdEjUEpdS9YjIjy3hoCTX4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds 

The table is set up for metal work.

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So I added a woodpecker table. Worthwhile. Like most I never have enough room. The space under the drill press is space lost unless there is a cabinet in that place. Free real estate. In the event I need to lower the table real low, the cabinet slides out of the way. I installed some slippery plastic to the bottom of the cabinet to move if ever needed. I like the big motor. It won't bog down boring larger holes.

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Read good things in a 2015 FWW review about the Porter Cable PCB660DP. Seems it was changed a bit in 2017 with an increased price tag and less than stellar reviews. Found one of the old ones for $220 that is supposed to work well. Seem like a good deal? Anyone have any experience with the Porter Cable drill press?

Think I’ll add a woodpecker table to mine. @curlyoak which package did you put on yours and why?

 

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