Harbor Freight Drill press for a newbie?

I started out with one of those HF 8 inch drillpresses, i got it for $50 with coupons, couldn’t say no…
I ended up returning it. Way too much runout in the spindle, and the quill didn’t move freely or smoothly.

For the money your’e willing to spend, I think you’ll have better luck with a 10 inch Craftsman. Not the best, but for a little over $100 it’s a pretty good little drill press. It’s what i have now, and so far it’s done everything i’ve asked of it. But if i had the money or need for something better, i would definitely replace it. I’m not sure, but with a few subtle differences I think Harbor Freight’s 10 inch Drill press might be the same machine as the Craftsman….

You should also look at your local Craigslist, you never know what you might find. If you can get your hands on a vintage american made Craftsman, Buffallo, Delta, or Atlas machine, it would be way better than any cheap drill press you’ll find commercially.

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-12-speed-bench-drill-press-60237.html

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10inch-bench-drill-press-with-laser/p-00934983000P?sid=IDx01192011x000001&gclid=CjwKEAiAjfq2BRDpmdHmssaW5xsSJABToP4lofqhGHKg6n3lxokbvf3UvX1EHTsDceTJLY8tGuIEXxoC09Lw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

You should also look at your local Craigslist, you never know what you might find. If you can get your hands on a vintage american made Craftsman, Buffallo, Delta, or Atlas machine, it would be way better than any cheap drill press you’ll find commercially.

-- still trying to think of a clever signature......

Craigslist

-- Joel, Encinitas, CA

You might also want to consider the Skil 10 inch drill press. It’s a barebones machine that gets good overall reviews, and it’s less than $120! But, if you want a little bit bigger machine, and your’e willing to spend a little more money, you can get a WEN 12” Benchtop or 15” Floor drill press for $237.26 and $399 (+$79 S&H) respectively from Walmart.com.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Skil-10-in-Drill-Press-with-Laser-3320-01/204504289?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D25T-PowerTools-SKU%7c&gclid=CjwKEAiAjfq2BRDpmdHmssaW5xsSJABToP4l1MvlLWKgxw9z8hMfInVgArssKWHqEXWLK-XI732O3BoCUmjw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.walmart.com/ip/WEN-8.6A-Variable-Speed-Floor-Standing-Drill-Press-15/43310327?action=product_interest&action_type=title&item_id=43310327&placement_id=irs-106-t1&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id&category=&client_guid=5dd69e6f-38b2-4c4e-a425-bfb59cbd0e1a&customer_id_enc&config_id=106&parent_item_id=39386432&parent_anchor_item_id=39386432&guid=72c60c22-ff42-4ca4-ba28-f6cadeef4831&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&beacon_version=1.0.1&findingMethod=p13n

-- still trying to think of a clever signature......

Those two options look decent. I could try Craigslist and have them cut a sample piece. What would you look out for/inspect on old presses? Belts? Wobble?

Take your time and do as suggested, watch CL and sooner or later there will be an older American model for sale under a hundred. I just got one for my shop and it was under the 100 price mark, so they are out there. Have fun, make some dust.

Those two options look decent. I could try Craigslist and have them cut a sample piece. What would you look out for/inspect on old presses? Belts? Wobble?

- huyz

Belts are easily replaceable, so are bearings. If it vibrates a little or squeals, it’s probably the old belt that has a set in it or bearings that need replacing, i would’nt consider those reasons for not buying one.

Make sure it hasn’t any serious runout or “wobble”, and that the quill has no play in it. Extend the quill all the way down, and try and budge it back and forth, looking for any movement. Depending on the machine, it may be an easy fix, a matter of tightening some nuts and bolts. Take some pictures of any machine your’e considering, and post them here. Usually someone will be able to tell you everything you ned to know.

-- still trying to think of a clever signature......

I have the 12 speed HF press. Honestly, save your money. Buy something old for $100-200 that’s floor standing if you can.

-- The quality of one's woodworking is directly related to the amount of flannel worn.

I got the HF 13” x 16 speed and really like it.
Has a 3/4HP motor. Can get down to 200 RPM.

I have the benchtop Skil for two years of steady use and it has been a great little tool. I’ve maxed it out with a 3” forstner! There is little wobble and it runs quiet and smooth. I think I paid $115 or so.

M

-- Madmark - [email protected] Wiretreefarm.com

Been using the H-F one for a few years now. “wobble” went away, after I put the chuck on the correct way.

$70 out the door at the time. The vise? was a $5 Yard Sale find.

-- A Planer? I'M the planer, this is what I use

I have the craftsman variant, and every time I use it, I’m reminded of the limited stroke length (2” in this case). The one I have is slightly better than not having one, but just barely. A replacement is definitely on my list.

-- Barry, http://BarrysWorkshop.com/

Definitely CL. I got my Ridgid 15” Drill Press for $125. No wobble, perfect quill travel. I’ve since built a DP Table and a cabinet for it.

I would advise against the 8 and 10 inch harbor freight drill presses. the amount of run out on both units was unacceptable , even after some polishing. good luck

I guess I must have gotten lucky, because my 8” HF benchtop was one of the best tools I have ever had. I used it until it just finally wore out. The job that killed it was drilling holes in stainless steel. I didn’t have a low enough speed for proper cutting, and it bound a few times. The chuck popped off the taper like its supposed to, but eventually it wouldn’t stay on there any more. I cried the day I buried it. ;)

I don’t know what they cost these days, but at $50 -70 they are a great value I think. Except with my planer, which I had gotten a GREAT deal on, I’ve always started with value tools to save money.

-Brian

-- Part of engineering is to know when to put your calculator down and pick up your tools.

What do you do with the Horsepower you have? And what would you do if you had more?
And the height too.. wondering 8” will be fine, or bench top vs a standing one.

Thanks guys. I have a Craigslist alert setup.