Gunsmithing Bench top drill press

ArcticLight

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 27, 2003
974
69
Silverdale, WA
Looking to get a bench top dril press, prefer to spend $100 or less.

Who's got recommendations on these?

Will be mainly wood but you never know.
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Re: Bench top drill press

Here at the house I have a Sears benchtop. It has the slip belt / pulley speed control. But it does pretty good. I have a milling table attachment for it. But the chuck keeps working loose when milling metal. But for drilling regular holes 1/2" of less it does pretty well. I can't remember what I paid for it. But $100 sounds close. I've had it 6 or 8 years.
 
Re: Bench top drill press

I probably have a similiar model Sears bench top drill press that Victor has. I've had it for over 8-9 years. I have a cheapy milling vice on it and I am pleased with it.

Check the quill travel distance to ensure that it has the capacity for the jobs you have planned.

Yep, I'd buy another one,
CT
 
Re: Bench top drill press

I have one of the harbor freight import type of drill press and it is a piece of junk when you drill a hole, the hole is to big. The quill shaft is loose in the machine. Try to find a used one, U.S. made if you can. Watch Craig's list.
 
Re: Bench top drill press

Gotta be one around used locally for not much. I have a 10 year old Delta that has paid for itself many times over (cost $100), and bet it hasn't been used for more than an hour total...nothing special & works like a champ. I use Forstner bits when I want a really clean cut, fyi.

New they are about $180.00. Craigslist ? Ebay...local hdwe store?
 
Re: Bench top drill press

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My quill only has a little over 4" travel on it. That's one of my hangups with that particular machine. But for what it is, it does really well. </div></div>

I have a small one from them and it's great.