I've got a small, cheap table top drill press and I just measured the length of travel it has and it's only about 1 3/4". I suspect that might not be long enough. What would be a proper minimum travel length for a press to do the different pen related jobs? Thank you.
drill press
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JimGo
Member
3+ inches generally. You can make due with the smaller presses if you want, but you have to move the blank, vise, and/or table (the drill press's table, that is) to do it. There's a tabletop drill press that Lowes sells, I think it's a Delta, that has something like a 3 1/4" tavel, and it's less then $100. Pretty good deal if you're space challenged.
Randy_
Member
I went through this not too long ago and the least expensive bench DP with a 3-1/8" quill travel that I could find was a Ryobi at HD for about $160. Delta does have a bench top model with that quill travel; but has a VS drive and goes for over $200. The reports that I have read say the Delta VS mechanism is not terribly reliable. I ended up buying a 13"+, 16 spd unit from Harbor Freight which has performed well so far. Besides the short quill travel, the less expensive DPs usually are only 5 speed units and the lowest speed is around 500 RPMs which is too fast for bigger twist bits and Forstner bits. Jim may have seen something I am not aware of; but I looked at the Lowes web site and did not see anything that matched his description??
woodbutcher
Member
I bought a Hitachi floor model D P for approx $180.00 at Lowes. It has a speed range from around 200 rpm- around 2500 or so. It functions well. The really nice thing about it is a light that shines exactly where it should. It also has a laser center locator that in my opinion would be properly placed at the dump. Hope this helps,
Jim
Jim
TomServo
Member
James: as much travel as you can afford - I myself use a DP with 2" travel and have no problems - i just keep a block to slide under the vise, no big deal... I do it with the DP on, and lift the blank (drilled to 2") up on the spinning bit, drop it on the block and keep goin
wdcav1952
Activities Manager Emeritus
Jim,
Although I paid a little bit more, I got the same DP at Lowe's and really like it.
DocStram
Member
Randy,
Can you tell me a little more about your HF drill press? Like, the model number and how much you paid for it?
Thanks
Can you tell me a little more about your HF drill press? Like, the model number and how much you paid for it?
Thanks
woodbutcher
Member
Jim,
Although I paid a little bit more, I got the same DP at Lowe's and really like it.
It is a great machine, I just can't seem to get the laser centering system to work properly. I put a 40 watt halogen lamp in the regular light socket and it is perfect for my tired old eyes. To date it is the best D P I have owned. I like mine too!
Jim
Although I paid a little bit more, I got the same DP at Lowe's and really like it.
It is a great machine, I just can't seem to get the laser centering system to work properly. I put a 40 watt halogen lamp in the regular light socket and it is perfect for my tired old eyes. To date it is the best D P I have owned. I like mine too!
Jim
TomServo
Member
What about that DP people were buying from amazon very recently? the tradesman for some ridiculous price, $139 or something, shipped?
alamocdc
Member
Actually it was $153 shipped, but still a good deal as far as I'm concerned. Especially based on the review I read in one of my mags.
wdcav1952
Activities Manager Emeritus
If you get the laser centering system to work, please let me know! I have pretty well given up on it. Other than that, it is great.
wayneis
Member
I have had the Delta VS for about two years and have had no trouble at all. I think that Griz has it also, to keep it trouble free you do need to oil it regularly though.
Wayne
Wayne
Draken
Member
I too have the Hitachi DP from Lowes. Good luck trying to find it there, as it is an item that Lowes is no longer carrying, which is why they were put on clearance. I too have problems with the laser system. The lasers aren't at 90 degrees to each other, so the intersection point seems to change as the table is raised and lowered. If you always keep the table at one level, and the blanks are all the same length, it seems to work ok. For the most part, I just eyeball it. For those really tight clearance pens, I'll mark it corner to corner, and use the center point on a brad tip 7mm bit to line it all up, then put in the larger bit that the pen kit calls for. So far, haven't drilled out the side of one yet, but somehow, I feel I've just jinxed myself for saying that. [xx(]
Cheers,
Draken
Cheers,
Draken
woodbutcher
Member
I just turned the laser off and forgot about it. I figure if that is my only problem in the shop it's a fantastic day. I don't know why Lowes would discontinue the Hitachi. It just sits there and happily makes holes for me.
Jim
Jim
Randy_
Member
Hi Al:
Here is are the details on the drill I purchased:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38142
If you are patient and have a HF retail store close by, the DP can be had for about $150......list price minus 20% discounts regularly offered in the Internet. I got mine on an eBay auction and paid $160. It was almost new and came with a foot switch, stand and a very nice table extension with a fence and clamps. It was close to me so I picked it up and saved shipping which would have been significant since the unit is a HD model and weighs nearly as much as a floor model.
Randy_
Member
I was all ready to buy the Ryobi when I found a deal on the Internet on a HF DP. I understand these Ryobis at HD can be had for good sale prices if you are patient. They looked like a well built machine, to me, so I'm not surprised to hear Ron say he is getting good service from his.
Pipes
Member
The Lowes in Dearborn Mi has 4 Hiitachi's left in stock !! and there is a 10 buck off coupon at the front door... My neighbor got one this mornig he didn't wana wait for the amazon clone to show up ....looks well built thou the laser is well useless IMOat 156 lbs its no lite weight junk either !!Its not built like my dads old craftsman with like a 4 1/2 inch spindle travel maybe more I duno !! that is 49 yrs old but then I got that for free and I don't have to move it so I'am set[
] ! But IF I was gona buy I would seriously consider the Hitachi IMHO ...
] ! But IF I was gona buy I would seriously consider the Hitachi IMHO ...hazegry
Member
this is the drill press the wife just bought me http://www.rikontools.com/Products/DrillPresses/RadialDrillPresses.html for 160 at woodcraft the 30-140 is the one she got me becuse I am limited on space. I cant wait to start doing inlays with it [] should be here this week
] should be here this weekOSCAR15
Member
For those of you who have benchtop drill presses, or need one to save on shop space,,,,they can work for pens, even with short travel....
I start drilling. When drill is far as it goes, raise the drilled wood up and onto drill bit. Place a small square of MDF or plywood (3/4") below drill press vise, and continue to drill. Repeat with additional pieces of MDF as needed until you are all the way through. Yes it is a little more work, but no big deal, and I save shop space! If you have small shop, and do other woodwork besides turning, this is a great alternative to floor model presses. OSCAR
I start drilling. When drill is far as it goes, raise the drilled wood up and onto drill bit. Place a small square of MDF or plywood (3/4") below drill press vise, and continue to drill. Repeat with additional pieces of MDF as needed until you are all the way through. Yes it is a little more work, but no big deal, and I save shop space! If you have small shop, and do other woodwork besides turning, this is a great alternative to floor model presses. OSCAR
Texas Taco
Member
I couldn't find a good table/bench top DP when I got mine at any of the local tool sellers so I got this one,
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G7943 cost a little more than I really wanted to pay but has been a great DP.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G7943 cost a little more than I really wanted to pay but has been a great DP.
I thought I would update this and say that I found a drill press today that kind of interests me. It's a huge ancient cast iron beast that accepts morse tapered bits. It comes with some bits, a 1/2" jacobs chuck and two bench vises -- a small one and a very large one(both old, but in good condition). It has multiple pulleys for a wide speed range and it seems to work very well. It will fit in my shop. $175.00 for all. Comments appreciated.
alamocdc
Member
Nice find!
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