Drill press: Need an upgrade

Brad Buchanan · Jan 9, 2015

Hey folks.

I currently have a Delta 16 inch floor model drill press.

It has served me well but it isn't as accurate as I would like. It does good with twist drill bits but when cutting holes it seems that the tool wobbles a bit.

I would like to know what I should look for in a more accurate machine.

I need something that has a small footprint as floor space is always at a premium.

I would ideally like something that could cut a slot in metal as I fabricate a bit and this would be a plus.

Thanks,

Brad

Shoprat · Jan 9, 2015

I would consider a used Bridgeport milling machine. Even a worn out beat up Bridgeport will do a lot of work a drill press won't.

Geo-TH,In · Jan 9, 2015

Brad, my best drill press is the one you have. My bit wobbles when I don't sharpened the bit properly. One side of the bit digs in more producing metal shavings, the other side doesn't cut anything.

It's possible there is something wrong with drill press, like a defective chuck that doesn't close properly. Do you get a lot of wobble when you shake the chuck?

redtom · Jan 9, 2015

As my dad always said, the best drill press is a Bridgeport mill.

Chris(WA) · Jan 9, 2015

Take a look at Grizzly / Shop Fox. I sure like mine!
Grizzly

Dr. Walt · Jan 9, 2015

I agree with others that a Bridgeport Mill is the best thing; BUT, for those of us that can't afford a Mill . . . . I buy slot cutters - 1/4" shanks with different thicknesses of circular cutter blades on the ends. Chuck them into your drill press (remember they cut HORIZONTALLY), mount the item you want to slot into a micrometer cross-slide vise. Make repetative cuts until you acheive the slot depth you want.

:>)

State of Jefferson · Jan 9, 2015

A grizzly 17" drill press is comin up near the top of my purchase list. For the price, it's tough to beat their equipment.

Ben

Lou from Wi. · Jan 9, 2015

Brad,
if I had use for it and could afford it, the link is what I would buy. I have a Grizzly band saw, phenominal little thing. The band saw cut both sides of our crawler pads, like hot knife thru butter. It is well built machine,and would buy from Grizzly again if I need another tool, like lathes,milling machine,etc.
HTH.
LOU
poke here

M-MAN · Jan 10, 2015

You aren't going to find a drill press upgrade without going to a milling machine.

You might consider giving your's a tune up. New precision bearings, precision chuck, & use a dial indicator to make sure the shaft is true. Precision chucks are very expensive.

Brad Buchanan · Jan 11, 2015

Hey folks.

Thanks for all the informative replies.

I think a small milling machine may be what I need.

The question is would it be better to buy a unit like the one in LOU from Wi. posted or a used Bridgeport machine.

What might I do to know if a used machine is usable or shot?

Thanks,

Brad

bison · Jan 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 13:05:49 01/09/15) Hey folks.

I currently have a Delta 16 inch floor model drill press.

It has served me well but it isn't as accurate as I would like. It does good with twist drill bits but when cutting holes it seems that [b:4a42c4e99e]the tool wobbles a bit.[/b:4a42c4e99e]

I would like to know what I should look for in a more accurate machine.

I need something that has a small footprint as floor space is always at a premium.

[b:4a42c4e99e]I would ideally like something that could cut a slot in metal as I fabricate a bit and this would be a plus.[/b:4a42c4e99e]

Thanks,

Brad

he wobble could be just a bend arbor or bad chuck, but these china made drill presses have a slight spindle slop right out of the box to start with

For cutting slots you need a milling machine

Drill press: Need an upgrade

Brad Buchanan

Member

Shoprat

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Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

redtom

Well-known Member

Chris(WA)

Well-known Member

Dr. Walt

Well-known Member

State of Jefferson

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Lou from Wi.

Well-known Member

M-MAN

Well-known Member

Brad Buchanan

Member

bison

Well-known Member

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