Ok, so I don't have the money to spend on a "brand name" drill press (running out of funds!).

So, I was looking at the Central Machinery drill press from Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44836). It is on sale for $79.99 right now.

Specs:

Motor: 1/2 HP
Volts: 120
Load amps: 3.5
Speeds: 250, 340, 390, 510, 600, 650, 990, 1550, 1620, 1900, 2620, 3100 RPM
Table: 7-7/16'' x 7-3/4'' square
Spindle taper: MT #2
Spindle stroke: 2-3/8''
Chuck capacity: 7/64''-5/8''
Swing: 10"
Overall height: 28-1/2''
Base size: 13-1/4'' x 8-1/4''
Column diameter: 2.87''
Shipping weight: 66.20 lbs.

So, is this press any good? Just going to be drilling Aluminum and Plastic with it.

I know someone must have some experience with these...

I've got a c.m. drill press, the larger free standing non benchtop model, I like it. I need to convert the belt drive to something else one day. (not big on belt changes). I checked the runout on the table to be around .004 or so. You may want to check the spindle stroke and clearance for what you'll be drilling.

I've got the
HF Drill Press (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=43389) floor model but now it is way over $200. This is often on sale for $169 if you can swing the extra cash.

If you're going to keep getting tools, you won't regret getting the floor model...in the long run it will serve you better.

Bloy

P.S. I decided I wanted the smooth table for some of my woodwork so I ordered one special (they interchange with other models) using another model number. Although it took a while to come from China, it only cost $15 including shipping.

Javadog,

I've got that drill press. Got it a few years back from HF and use it at home. Slowest speed is still a bit too fast for larger (1/2") drills in steel. The threads in the hub where the three arms screw in are loose, even with an added locking nut - Constantly twisting the knobs to tighten the arms cracks the knobs and the ends fall off. The depth height stop is flimsy and falls off the second or third time you use it. The std belt is noisy and vibrates. Theres no detent on the table angle so if you move it setting it back to 0 can be a chore until you get it marked up.

The good; With a link belt its really quiet and doesn't vibrate. The motor is quiet and reasonable power and runs very cool. The Table is dead square to the column and the spindle. The runout is surprisingly good and my cheap dial indicator barely moves. The chuck works well for a cheapy and you've used it for a while. The table height adjustment works well and easily - if you clean out and regrease the works first.

For the money it's not bad, I've used (and abused) it for everything from knocking large holes through bedstead angle iron to drilling #80 holes in pcb. Like the others I wish I'd got the floor model though...

Andrew

Thanks for the feedback guys, very helpful.

I would like to buy a floor model, but I don't have anywhere to put it. So, a bench top it has to be for now.

Sounds like this one is OK, it will get the job done. But, as Fyffe listed - it does have its cons.

I was also looking at the 12in from Craftsman (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00921912000&subcat=Drill+Presses). It is only a 5 speed, and I'm not all that sure that it is "better" than the HF ones...

I've got a HF Drill Press... The Big floor model. And after changing the stock chuck to one that I got from Little Machine Shop it works most excellent now. I would assume that the Bench top model is decent even if the chuck was poor. And that can be changed to a decent Jacobs for low dough if needed.

$20 than the comparable 10" Delta Shopmaster, and twice the power! I wish I had seen this before I bought my Delta. Oh well :)

$20 than the comparable 10" Delta Shopmaster, and twice the power! I wish I had seen this before I bought my Delta. Oh well :)

Well, I just found out Monday that the local HF doesn't carry this model in the stores. It is a website-only deal, and since they are two seperate businesses - they can't special order it either.

So, how is that 10" Delta DP200 Shopmaster holding up? Drilling aluminum with it? :rolleyes:

I have drilled holes in extruded aluminum with it a couple of times. As long as you clamp everything in place and feed the bit slowly, it's not much of a problem.

Good. Because I can get it local, I think I am just going to pick up the Delta.

It's only $99...