I'd like to get a bench-top drill press for the occasional DIY project. Who here has one from HF, is it decent? I have some other HF stuff and they've held up great.

I'm open to suggestions though.

 

I have one this one with keyless chuck http://www.harborfreight.com/c...44836 got it on sale for 89.99 or so. works great had it for about 8 months with no problems. Only used it on 6061 aluminum so far.

 

I had a 100 dollar HF drillpress and it didn't break, but was so weak it wouldn't cut anything at all.

Ian

 

i had the stand up HF Drill press, and I've used the mill, drill press center by HF and both sucked. If you want to use a holesaw to get through stainless expect to be standing there for about 30 minutes.



What a waste of money both of them are. The stand was so bad, that when you started getting through the cut it'd start wobbling around the shop.

My advice for Harbor freight is to stray from the important and crucial tools, especially in a production based setting. I never looked forward to using either machine..

 

I had one the motor blew within a year.

 

hmm, so which would you recommend on a medium budget?

 

half of the s hit out there is made in china

 

Craigslist...

 

I have a bench top drill press from Delta, great buy for being on a budget.

 

I always forget about Craigslist. Has anyone had any luck with Ryobi? i found a new 10"er...

 

I bought one from HF this past weekend for $39.99 for a small 8 inch 5 speed one. Did what it needed to do over the weekend. If I never use it again its not the end of the world.

BTW the one I got was on sale from like 80$

 

Do any of you guys have any info on what brand and type of bits/hole saws you were using? I dont care what brand drill you have, if your cutting with garbage or worn items, its not going to do much.

 

I always buy quality used products vs. crap new. CL has great buys once in a blue moon. I bought an older Delta.

 

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...ll=A3

i have that, and its the best drill press ive ever used, digital depth meter, laser trac.. its sweet only 189 bucks

 

I've used their 3speed or 5speed (whatever is normally on sale for $29 or $39) for probably 3-4 years now without any failures, any maintenance, any problems.

I've used it for small ****, like drilling brackets in thin stock (up to 1/4"), but for a hobbyist, I think that's all you really need. It's small enough to be tucked away until you really need it as well.

The price can't be beat either, I would like to step up to a nice floor mounted one for convenience, but can't see spending the money when I have a nice 1/2" electric hand drill and this cheapo drill press that I haven't been able to burden yet.