Drill

[Bob Yarbrough]

Suggestions for a drill press for small projects, IE: pens. Trying to spend less than $200.00, if possible.

Bob

[Stan Cook]

If you plan on doing very many pens, make sure it has at least a 3" stroke.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Bob.....Stan gave you pretty sage advice. My old bench top would only drill 2"....to drill pen blanks you should have at least a 3" quill travel.

[dennis kranz]

If 200.00 is your mark then Home Depot has the Ryobi 12 inch with 3.25 stroke for 169.00. For the money best that I have seen. I do not own one so others will have to trll you if they are any good.
Dennis

[Paul Heely]

I have a Delta DP350 that I bought from the local Woodcraft for just under $200. Its a 12" variable speed bench top with 3-1/4" of travel. I've been happy with it.

[Mark Hubbs]

I bought a floor drill press from HF last month when it went on sale for $169. I think it has either a 3.5 or 4 inch stroke. I would not have bought one of the HF floor pressess if I had not had such good luck with one of thier cheap bench drill presses.

I bought one of their $49 bench drills about 10 years ago and it has served me well. I used to built a lot of flintlock rifles and muskets and the little press served me well drilling screw holes in locks and buttplates and pin holes in the stock ect (along with the standard day-to-day abuse any drill gets).

When I needed a press for pen making I moved up to a floor model. It is powerfull and quiet and will do just about anything I need it to do. A comparable brand name would have been $300+.

[Frank Kobilsek]

Delta Bench Top for under a $100 has been serving my needs.

Frank

[Jess Wetherhold]

Craig's List
http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/tls?query=drill+press&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

[Ellen Benkin]

I have a small Delta benchtop that does not have enough throw for pens. I use it to drill as far as it goes and then finish up with a cordless drill. The drill press makes the hole exactly where I want and the bit in the cordless drill just follows the hole. It does take two steps, but I have not had any problems with this system so far. And I didn't have to invest in a more expensive drill press.

[Tim Malyszko]

Craig's List
http://seattle.craigslist.org/search...min&maxAsk=max

I have to agree. If you can wait, Craigslist is the way to go. It seems like Drill Press are fairly common on there.

I didn't "need" a drill press, but wanted one and waited until the right deal came around. I ended up getting a slightly used Delta 17-965 for $200 off of Craigslist, which was 1/2 price brand new. This particular drill press was Editor's Choice in Fine Woodworking and well-reviewed throughout.

As others have said, get something with 3 or more inches of quill travel. My drill press has almost 5" of travel and I have yet to run into a situation of not having enough drill press.

Good luck with your search.

[Bill Wyko]

Check into the bench top Rykon. I think it's around 275.00 but I think you'll get much more for your money. woodcraft sells them.

[Nancy Laird]

I'd also suggest the Delta DP350 if your budget can stand $240.00. It has a 3-1/4" stroke, it's variable speed, and is a good machine. Available at Woodworker's Supply - $239.99. And you can probably find it for less at Amazon or somewhere else.

Nancy

[Bobby Perry]

I drill all my pen blanks with a jacobs chuck on the lathe. Even my cartriages for the cartriage pens.