1 - iluv2play
- New member
Offline - Registered: 8/25/2014
- Posts: 2
Re: Best cheap drill press??
I had a similar drill press from Harbor Freight. It was good for light wood working projects. I can't say that I'd be happy milling aluminum with it. Better than a router or hand drill.
I bartered for my stand up Rigid drill press. (a story to itself)
Buying a good used drill press for that kind of money should be easy. Try Craig's List or private party listings first.
Does your local tool shack rent out tools? Honestly, I do like having the drill press since I'm always making holes in things, but it sits around collecting dust and using space most of the time.
- taylorrace
- Member
Offline
- Registered: 6/22/2014
- Posts: 19
Re: Best cheap drill press??
I purchased a Skill from Lowes for my first build. The only problem I had with it was no quill lock but I made one myself out of two pieces of 1-1/4" aluminum angle iron and a piece of 3/8" allthread rod and 3/8" hex nuts. The drill press performed flawlessly as did I.
- Randy B
- New member
Offline
- From: Washington State
- Registered: 9/05/2014
- Posts: 6
Re: Best cheap drill press??
I used a craftsman 12 inch drill press. I had no quill stop so for milling so I used a drill stop to make sure I didn't go to deep. Put the stop on the bit lowered it to set the depth and tighten it with a allen wrench. Used the drill depth stop on the press backwards as a quill stop. Placed the quill in the right position and locked it in place. When ready for another cut would lower the quill 2 mm using the markings on the stop. Hold it in place and readjust the stop. I was going to get the Harbor Freight but Sears had a sale plus got a $50 gift card from work. Worked great just went slow and steady. Don't have compressed air to blow out chips used a shop vac.
- Ninjoe
- Member
Offline
- Registered: 11/20/2013
- Posts: 28
Re: Best cheap drill press??
Randy B wrote:
I used a craftsman 12 inch drill press. I had no quill stop so for milling so I used a drill stop to make sure I didn't go to deep. Put the stop on the bit lowered it to set the depth and tighten it with a allen wrench. Used the drill depth stop on the press backwards as a quill stop. Placed the quill in the right position and locked it in place. When ready for another cut would lower the quill 2 mm using the markings on the stop. Hold it in place and readjust the stop. I was going to get the Harbor Freight but Sears had a sale plus got a $50 gift card from work. Worked great just went slow and steady. Don't have compressed air to blow out chips used a shop vac.
I heard you could reverse the depth stop and use it to lock the quill. How exactly does that work? A few people have mentioned that but I haven't come across any detailed descriptions on how to do it. I'm sure it's not hard to figure out but I haven't had a chance to checkout a unit in person yet.
I may pick up the harbor freight unit soon. I just got another 20% off coupon and that would make it the best bang for my buck out of the three.
- •
Thread Starter- Randy B
- New member
Offline
- From: Washington State
- Registered: 9/05/2014
- Posts: 6
Re: Best cheap drill press??
Main thing is go to the stores and shop around in person and ask questions and play with them at bit. And down load there manuals and read through them they can help you figure out how to do it. The jig and the film make it easier I watched it 10 to 15 times before I jumped in. And the company helped me out to plus I read the info contained in the forum.
- taylorrace
- Member
Offline
- Registered: 6/22/2014
- Posts: 19
Re: Best cheap drill press??
Just ordered my second lower for my next build.
- Ninjoe
- Member
Offline
- Registered: 11/20/2013
- Posts: 28
Re: Best cheap drill press??
Hey All,
I was patient and took my time and lucked out. I was able to score a Craftsman 10" drill press for $65.00 off of Craigs list. Woohoo!! Now I just have to order up a jig and tooling set from Mike and a mid level cross slide vice and I'll be set. I'll have that pistol lower built up shortly!
- •
Thread Starter