wgeils Posted October 27, 2011 Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 looking to get my first drill press. does anyone have any experience with this model? My budget is >$400 so I am kind of limited on my choices Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted October 27, 2011 Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 Are you wanting a bench top? If your willing to sacrifice the goodies like laser and light you could get a much better floor model within your budget. The issue with all of them in that price range is arbor run out. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgeils Posted October 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 I was thinking a bench-top was a better choice for my shop. I have space for a floor standing unit just do not see why I would need one for the woodworking I do. Plus this being my second full size tool (only have a table saw) I want to leave space for other things i will need in the future like a planner and joiner. What is arbor run out? and/or should I just by the $100 skill 10" press and use it until I am able to buy a full size press? Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted October 27, 2011 Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 Arbor run out is basically shaft wobble. The lesser expensive models have smaller motors, sloppier machining and bad chucks. Honestly even the $1000 powermatic is not all that fantastic. I say go a big as you can afford to get the motor to handle forsner bits without stalling. Try grizzly, Im pretty sure the Jets, griz and shop fox are all the same anyways. FWIW I was at lowes and they had a porter cable sitting there and it looked pretty nice for the money. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 I just recently purchased the pc model from lowes, it looks nice and runs quiet. My main use for it so far was to hog out waste material for mortises in african mahogany using a 3/8" forstner bit. I noticed at times that the bit seemed forced to move to one side or the other. Does this mean its just not a "great" machine, or is this an issue with the machine that I should not be dealing with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 I just recently purchased the pc model from lowes, it looks nice and runs quiet. My main use for it so far was to hog out waste material for mortises in african mahogany using a 3/8" forstner bit. I noticed at times that the bit seemed forced to move to one side or the other. Does this mean its just not a "great" machine, or is this an issue with the machine that I should not be dealing with? Look for gib adjusters to tighten it up so the arbor doesnt move side to side. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgeils Posted October 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 I just ordered the Jet. Once it comes in and I get it dialed in i'll report back with my thoughts Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Thanks Don, I'll try to pretend I know what you're talking about and fix my problem =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jHop Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 I think this is the same one I have. I was fortunate to order it through Woodcraft during a sale they had, and got it for much less than it was supposed to be. I like it a lot. Run out is very little, definitely within workable levels. When assembling it, I'd recommend resting it on it's side while putting the four pieces together. MIne came with the gear rings (for raising and lowering the stock table) already attached, which the manual said would need to be installed. The ring is a little loose, but once I set the table at a comfortable height, I haven't adjusted it once. I appreciate that it has an LED light, but I didn't count on the laser. It's a cool accessory, but not needed for what I do. I opted for the bench top instead of the floor standing because I wanted to save on space, but now that I've moved, the shop got smaller, and I absolutely have no space for the floor standing. (So I'm thrilled I got the bench top.) The only times I've wanted the floor standing have been to work on drilling holes in the ends of bed rails, which wouldn't fit in the floor standing unit anyway. As an option, there are stores out there that have used equipment for sale, both in the restored and yet-to-be-restored category. These do save money as an option, and I did consider it, but I'm glad I opted against the 30 year old drill press.... it was about the floor space of the PM2000... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.