Recommend a benchtop drill press w/ good torque

[Jetboy]

I have HF bench top drill press. I'm going to return it. It sucks. I can stop the chuck with two fingers. It is almost worthless drilling 1/2" holes in mild steel. I'm limited on size and would like something as small as possible, but I want to be able to drill in mild steel with bits up to 1". Everything about the HF would work for me except the exceptionally s***ty motor and little weak drive belt system. If it even had the torque of an 18v hand drill it might work for me.

Is there a good quality benchtop drill press for a reasonable price?

 

[bmorefj40]

not sure where you are located and what a reasonable price is for you. but if you're doing a bunch of big holes in thick steel and you need the machines to be smaller in size, here you go

Hougen hmd904 mag drill

I passed on a older mag drill a few years back that I could of had for $125 just because I didn't know any better at the time. I ended up buying a floor drill press from tractor supply for $150 that does ok, but I know when I start doing 1/2" or better holes in thick stuff, I really have to be really easy on the downfeed.

 

[Jetboy]

I'm in Utah.

I don't do a lot of steel work. Just random home projects. I could buy a larger floor mount drill press, but I just don't have room for one. I want something I can put away when I'm done.

I'm considering putting a more powerful motor on the HF drill press as the rest of it is about what I want. The other option I've looked at is a magnetic drill press. There are some great powerful little magnetic presses, but they seem to go for around $800+. Probably not worth it for how little I'll use it.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

Jetboy, I have a cheapy bench-mounted drill press also.

I have found that a slow speed, cutting oil or wax, and a step bit (aka UNIBIT) will do 1/2 holes in mild steel plate (like, 1/4 inch thick.) Yes, it is not super fast, but it works and is lots cheaper that a professional grade drill press and bit.

Good luck!

Alan

 

[Pin_Head]

Is there a good quality benchtop drill press for a reasonable price?

The main problem with bench top units is that they don't have a slow enough spindle RPM to drill holes over 3/8 inch. Even if you could find one with a stronger motor, it will still chatter and F up your bits because it is turning too fast.

 

[45Kevin]

I can stop the chuck with two fingers. QUOTE]

I would think that even on a cheap drill you shouldn't be able to do that. Are you stalling the motor, or causing the belt to slip.

If it is the latter, get a better belt.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Jet, I'd look at a model that was 16 speed and a minimum of 3/4hp. With that you would have a pretty versatile press for any type of material and can drill a pretty sizable hole.

Look at Northern Tool or even some of the JET models now are reasonably priced. Probably around 300 to 400 bucks for a bench top model. May seem pricey but, if you can afford a better one now it'll save you later. IMO

J

 

[pb4ugo]

Check craigslist too. There are some retired guys around here who refurbish, good, old, machines. Or you might be able to find 1 to refurbish yourself. I picked a nice old 16 speed floor unit for cheap.

 

[Jetboy]

I can buy a 1/3hp baldor industrial motor at surplus center for $50. Possibly that would go well on the little HF press and make a nice useable tool?

I suspect the HF 1/3hp motor = more like 1/10hp.

Hell, a right angle drill set on top with the drive spindle in the chuck would probably work great. Then remote the variable speed switch and get rid of the whole motor assembly on the back. Could be really compact.

 

[zags]

Your belt may just be slipping?

 

[Jetboy]

Your belt may just be slipping?

I opened the top. The belt is very small and would probably slip fairly easy, but it does indeed stop the motor. I can grab the spinning motor pulley and stop the motor pretty easily too.