What drill press should I buy?

Regardless of the name on the front of the press, the truth of the matter is that most new drill presses on the market come from just one Taiwan manufacturing group. They do vary, depending on how they are specified by their US distributors.

I wouldn't worry much about the name, and to some extent the price reflects the expense of the options specified. I would check that the chuck is large, accurate and smooth-acting. The chuck is probably the most important thing that can easily be inspected - CAMPARE! The jaws should move exactly together with no slop, and should meet in a small symetrical hole. (You can always use collet inserts for the tiniest drills, but you wouldn't want to have to for common sizes.)

The number of speeds varies substantially. If you need both very fast (small drills in steel) and very slow (hole boring in wood) then get the most speed range you can.

Most people prefer US made motors, as the quality of Taiwanese motors has varied substantially in the past. I think they've improved, and you may not be using this machine constantly enough to have a problem.

Compare the versatility of the table for offset-drilling, tilts, and clamping. Some tables rotate, I find this very useful when I have something clamped and want to line up to several holes. Some tables have a drip-groove around them, for catching machine oil. This is not so useful on a light-duty drill press, as it would mostly be used on a milling operation.

Delta has a model that is really different: It has a cross-arm (radial) mounting that greatly increases the versatility, if you need it.

I have an old Taiwan press that works fine, original motor and all. It is a very large bench mount model that looks just like a big floor-mount model with a shorter column. I like its strength and it has more depth between the chuck and the table than most table-tops - this is very often needed!. The way I mounted it on a rolling base cabinet (lower than a bench) the entire head assembly can be swiveled 180 to the back for drilling really big stuff. I've never had to do this.

The base cabinet provides storage for all the accessories, and is heavy enough for excellent stability (better than un-bolted down floor models), plus it is easy to move around the shop. It only takes up the amount of floor-space a floor-stand model would have anyway and doesn't take up any bench space like a regular bench mount.

If your intent is to use your bench-mount on the bench and then store it - get a light one. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who uses tools much or has any reasonable amount of shop space.

What are you drilling with it ? 1/2 hp is kind of light. You might try looking at Delta,they have a 2 year warranty and parts are not a problem.Or Jet .You might also think about a real industrial drill press off the used market.A good quality ind model ,even well used,may be a better unit than a cheap import.I bought a used rockwell floor model a few years ago for $50 and wouldn't trade it for 2 new Sears.Hope this helps.Mark

: What are you drilling with it ? 1/2 hp is kind of light. You might try looking at Delta,they have a 2 year warranty and parts are not a problem.Or Jet .You might also think about a real industrial drill press off the used market.A good quality ind model ,even well used,may be a better unit than a cheap import.I bought a used rockwell floor model a few years ago for $50 and wouldn't trade it for 2 new Sears.Hope this helps.Mark

I like one with a table that moves up and down with a hand crank.
Also I belive for SAFTY all drill presses should have foot switches.

Dusty