orangecobalt
Member
I was wondering what size drill press are needed for drilling pen blanks when they are cut to size. I want to be sure before I buy one.
Drill press
- Thread starter orangecobalt
- Start date
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jedgerton
Member
I know you will get many opinions here but the most important feature in a drill press is the spindle travel. You want at least 2.5 - 3.0 inches. You can do with less but its a real pain.
John
John
mrcook4570
Member
Almost any drill press will do, but you will appreciate the convenience of one with at least 3" quill travel. Like most tools, get the best you can afford.
orangecobalt
Member
Thats what I figured, thanks for the quick replies.
rhahnfl
Member
Watch for a Steel City. It has the longest quill travel I've seen... 6 inches. I absolutely love mine.
jwoodwright
Member
If you can find the Delta 12" Bench Top with Variable Speed Control, you'll love changing speed without changing belt position.
4reel
Member
I have craftsman that I purchase on sale a few years ago. It works fine. If I do not have enough travel I just turn it off and lift the word a bit on the bit.
kgwaugh
Member
I am "sorta" in the hunt for a drill press, but have no personal experience whatsoever with Steel City. However, as you say, they do have a model or two with great quill travel, and that would be helpful to me, as I do a lot of woodwork besides pens.
Any more you can tell me about yours?, likes, dislikes, etc.
GeneW
stevers
Member
I saw some Steel City tools in Vegas, nice quality, look to be very well made. Just my 2 cents
karlkuehn
Banned
My first press was the cheapie Harbor Freight one with only 2" of spindle travel. I've since upgraded to the 3.25" travel, and it's made a world of difference. Shortly after I drilled my first blank, I knew I had made mistake with the cheap press. I used it for 6 months, fighting it the whole time before my dad saw what I was up against and surprised me with an early Christmas gift. Carbera/Atlas/Polaris blanks used to be a nightmare, but now I just zip right through them. 
The new one that he got me is also from Harbor Freight, but it's built much better and is dead-on accurate. My little cheeseball one was not built right, and the table on it wasn't quite square to the chuck/bit.
Do yourself a favor and get a good press from the get-go.
The new one that he got me is also from Harbor Freight, but it's built much better and is dead-on accurate. My little cheeseball one was not built right, and the table on it wasn't quite square to the chuck/bit.
Do yourself a favor and get a good press from the get-go.
Rifleman1776
Member
I'm not sure quill travel is the most important feature in a drill press. It is a major consideration for penturners but other features and overall quality trump that one feature, IMHO.
esheffield
Member
Has anyone else seen the variable speed DP at Tractor Supply? I was in there a couple of weeks ago and they had a floor model (15"?) with variable speed and tach readout for under $200. I didn't get the model # at the time and I haven't been able to find anything about it online - doesn't seem to be listed at their web site. Seems like a heck of a deal if it's any good (assuming I didn't hallucinate it!)