Jason Fastenau
04-01-2011, 7:47 PM
I'm looking to pick up a drill press soon. Up here in the wilds of Alaska my options are pretty limited. At the store I can drive to in a reasonable amount of time, (4 hours), my best option is the Delta 17-959 as far as what they have in stock for $650. I can order the 18" Delta with the 6" quill travel through the same store for about $1200. They also have the powermatic 2800, but I'm not interested in that one for a variety of reasons.
As far as shipped in options, I could get the 20" Grizzly press for about $1,080 after shipping. I know this has a bigger motor, but I'm not sure that I'd ever conceivably run into the limitations of a 3/4 HP motor. (Note to Grizzly folks if you are reading this: You could save non-Anchorage Alaskans a LOT of money up here if you shipped by truck through Canada instead of barge to Anchorage --> Truck. This would make your stuff a lot more attractive in terms of price).
My immediate needs aren't going to be terribly demanding in terms of what the press would have to do, but I'd like to plan for the future as much as possible, which makes the 6" quill travel pretty attractive. With that in mind, I'd like some advice and opinions on what folks would do in my place. The price is a consideration, but with the long-term in mind it isn't the top consideration.
So... what would you do?
As far as shipped in options, I could get the 20" Grizzly press for about $1,080 after shipping. I know this has a bigger motor, but I'm not sure that I'd ever conceivably run into the limitations of a 3/4 HP motor. (Note to Grizzly folks if you are reading this: You could save non-Anchorage Alaskans a LOT of money up here if you shipped by truck through Canada instead of barge to Anchorage --> Truck. This would make your stuff a lot more attractive in terms of price).
My immediate needs aren't going to be terribly demanding in terms of what the press would have to do, but I'd like to plan for the future as much as possible, which makes the 6" quill travel pretty attractive. With that in mind, I'd like some advice and opinions on what folks would do in my place. The price is a consideration, but with the long-term in mind it isn't the top consideration.
So... what would you do?