I am almost embarrassed to say I have gotten by with a Harbor Freight table top drill press for 5-6 years and as I advance my wood working it just isn't good enough anymore. It is difficult to change speeds. The chuck is too wobbly. The 2 1/2" stroke is just too short. In fact nothing about it is good enough. I need to be protective of floor space but I am willing to go to a floor model if a suitable table top model isn't out there. Suggestions?   

Depending on size desired WEN makes a 10 inch and 12 inch that are pretty nice machines.  If you want easy speed changes they have a 12 inch VSR.  Louder than normal drill press but to be expected with a reeves drive for speed control.  I have a 17 inch JET floor DP I got 20+ years ago.  Beautiful machine that ran me $550 new at that time.  Then I have a 8 inch Delta for smaller work, usually metal boring.  Been thinking of upgrading to the WEN last few months.  Been keeping an eye out for one on CL.  

 

We have a 10 inch Ryobi at work, still have to change the belt to adjust speed but decent machine.  Doubt it will last the way the boss abuses it but in a DIY shop might be decent.  

 

Or a Grizzly model, have couple Grizzly tools and all still in good working order.  

 

Do a search and post some of your considerations here. 

 

 

You can pick up an older Shopsmith for about $500.  Remove the legs and put it on the wall.  It has variable speeds, the quill is very true.  And, it will drill about 4" so it is a great investment and doesn't take up much room if mounted on the wall.  The table is adjustable in and out, up and down and tilts.  Check Craigslist or eBay in your area or any other form of advertisement.  

 

Here is an old one in Athens, OH and it is very possible that you could get it for much less.  It is not variable speed, but you could probably get one that is variable speed for about the same price.  

https://athensohio.craigslist.org/search/sss?sort=rel&query=Shopsmith

Edited July 15, 20205 yr by FlGatorwood

Just glancing all of these seem the same to me.  Now fit and finish and quality grade will be different.  And of course CL may offer a deal, have to check to know.  The Shopsmith idea @FlGatorwood suggested will work as well if you have room and want to give that a try.

 

WEN 12 inch Drill Press Variable speed

 

 

Grizzly 12 inch Drill Press Variable Speed

 

 

JET 12 inch Drill Press Variable Speed

 

 

RIKON 12 inch Drill Press variable speed

 

 

A friend says the Shopsmith 10ER (the model before the Mark V) makes a very superior drill press and is what he uses.   He has truncated the base so it doesn't stick out 4'.     We have one at the furniture bank that I've used a few times.   While it's not as easy to adjust as my MarkV, it does a respectable job and is likely way cheaper.   When I visited the SS factory many times in the 90s, they still used the 10ERs as machines on their production line.
 

 

IMO, ya can't beat the SS in drill press mode. Plus, if ya have the full Monte, the horizontal boring capability is a real plus.

1 hour ago, Gene Howe said:

IMO, ya can't beat the SS in drill press mode. Plus, if ya have the full Monte, the horizontal boring capability is a real plus.

Wouldn't that be like boring on a lathe?

 

1 hour ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Wouldn't that be like boring on a lblockquote

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1 hour ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Wouldn't that be like boring on a lathe?

Kinda but, with a lot more adjustability. Infinite speed control easily adusted, your moving the bit, not the work, table height adjustable to suit the work. 

I'm honestly in the same boat with drill presses.  I do have the harbor freight drill press as well it worked great for what it was but definitely time for a new one, I do plan on sticking with the bench top models for space wise.  But the wen looks like a decent little drill press to have.

1 hour ago, Gene Howe said:

 

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Kinda but, with a lot more adjustability. Infinite speed control easily adusted, your moving the bit, not the work, table height adjustable to suit the work. 

"infinite adjustability" would be one more advantage to the MarkV, 500, 510, or 520 over the 10ER that is pully based.  Given the same general price go with the fives.

Have acquired this recently. WEN 10 inch Variable Speed.

 

Works well drilling at lowest speed for metal.

 

On 8/4/2020 at 11:47 AM, Gunny said:

Have acquired this recently. WEN 10 inch Variable Speed.

 

Works well drilling at lowest speed for metal.

 

Nice,.how does that compare to the Delta in the background ? 

1 hour ago, aaronc said:

Nice,.how does that compare to the Delta in the background ?

The Delta is only 8 inch, little guy.  But is set at its lowest speed of 620.  The lowest speed of the WEN is listed at 580, but it shows 520 on its tachometer.  WEN has a bigger motor, and is bigger throat so allows more work to be done the other one cannot.  So far for the few projects I have done it has been reliable and handled each well.  

 

The Delta remains in the shop, still in use.  Put in a 1/8 drill bit, set speed at 1100 and use for pilot holes.  Now getting them all set up properly, yeah..... still working on that.  As it is raining this afternoon I will be in shop looking at how to make those 3 line up and work together.  

 I have bought some fine tools off Craig's list. Brand name stuff. People want to sell things due to ageing parents, death in the family or need room. Most know little about these things and will even bargain to get rid of them. You have to keep tabs on things in your area and respond with cash in hand.

I have 13 drill presses... My experience is the older press

is so much better than most of the newer ones today.

My best is an old Delta. 

I agree with the SS comments. You should be able to pick up a 510 for around $250 if you bargain. I have one mounted on the wall. Hard to beat having the rack and pinion table and fence and variable speed. 

Paul

3 hours ago, Kevin Beitz said:

My best is an old Delta.