BENCH TOP DRILL PRESS

[IAN E]

Hi Folks,
New to the forum and this is to introduce myself and get some advice on buying a Bench Top Press for a home workshop - burnt out the one I have which was a Sears special with built-in non-replaceable motor!
Use will be some metal work (mild steel and aluminium), but mostly for precision boring, plug cutting and drum sanding etc in soft and hard woods.
I'm specifically looking at a General Machine # 44505 [specs and pic below] which I can pick up for C$89.99 with free shipping from BC.

5 Speed Bench Drill Press With 1/2" Keyless Chuck
Includes Built-In Swivel Lamp
Precise drilling at an incredible price.
Five speeds: 620, 1100, 1720, 2340 and 3100 RPM
Worklight helps with accuracy and prevents eyestrain
Keyless chuck for fast, easy bit replacement
Tilts 45° left and right
Drill chuck capapcity: 1/32" to 1/2"
8" swing
2" spindle stroke
Cast iron feed lever
Lightbulb sold separately. Column diameter: 1.89"; Table dimensions: 6-5/8" x 6-3/8"; Base dimensions: 11-1/8" L x 7" W; Height: 22-1/2"
ITEM 44505-0VGA
The big advantages I see are 1/2" Jacobs Chuck and replaceable motor - I've checked out a couple with lazers and such and was not impressed!
Does anyone have experience with this particular press or similar?
Any replies would be very helpful as I will be buying sight unseen which I do not like to do!
Ian

[steve323]

The body looks similar to the US$99 Craftsman that I bought about 15 years ago. The differences are the keyless chuck and the plastic handles.

Mine has a 1/3 or 1/4 HP motor that is really easy to stall. The table tilts to one side no matter how hard I tighten the nut. The table top height adjustment is a bit awkward. Much better would be a table with a crank adjustment handle. The 2" spindle stroke is often a limitation.

I get frustrated with my drill press nearly every time I use it. If you can afford it, I recommend getting one or two steps up in quality, probably in the US$250 range. I am ready to chuck mine as soon as I can find the money for a new one. You could probably have mine for free, but I don't think it is worth the shipping cost to Canada.

Steve