Drill Press

[Russ Peters]

Not wanting to start a brand war or anything but what do you find to be a good drill press. I had a bench top one that was a little short for drilling out blanks but I made it work. I am now looking to buy a new one but am not sure that a floor standing one is either in the budget or even needed. Is there a bench top one that you have used that has enough travel to accept blanks of longer length? thanks

[Jason Whelehon]

What you'd be looking for is 2 things. Quill/spindle travel (how deep you can drill) and motor power (horsepower).

http://www.deltaportercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=11386

That's about the longest quill travel in a non-floor type DP

[Frank Drew]

To the list of desired attributes I'd add swing (distance from quill (chuck) to column) which limits the distance from your hole to the edge of the piece of wood. More is better.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Most times I really don't like to recommend because if a person buys one and it is a bad one well you know. I bought this Craftsman and have been well pleased with it. It has a digital readout for depth and is great for drilling pen blanks, etc. I have had it for about 6 months now and it has did everything I have asked of it. I also like the handle because it has one that is straight out and it makes it easier to drill.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921914000P?vName=Tools&cName=Bench+Power+Tools&sName=Drill+Presses

[Burt Alcantara]

I've got a Grizzly floor stand model. One of their very cheap ones. It has served me well with no complaints. Not the most accurate but easily maintained as is it with all Grizzly products.

Burt

[Brodie Brickey]

About 1 year ago, I bought a Rikon Radial Arm Drill press benchtop model. I've been really happy with it. At the time I got it from WoodCraft, but they don't seem to have it on their site any more.

The things I really like about it, are that I was able to drill out the center of a walking stick, because I could move the entire chuck forward away from the table. I've drilled pen blanks with it, but nothing exceptionally long. It also replaced my full sized drill press and left me space for storage and a grinder in the same area.

Here's a link to FWW's review of 2 radial arm drill presses:
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ToolGuide/ToolGuideArticle.aspx?id=28854

Here's a link to my original post on the drill press:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=64978