Drill press questions

[lilsparky]

Still new to woodworking and scroll sawing. Having so much fun!! Seems like I spend more time shopping for and accumulating toys than I do actually being productive. Hey, it's part of the fun.

I have a mini drill press (one of those 8" cheapie ones you get at truckload sales). At first I thought it would work great for pre-drilling holes for scrolling and pilot holes for occasional shelf building. And so far it's fine, of course with size limitations.

What if I want to do more with it? Use it with forstner bits to drill clock holes and other bigger bits to counterbore when making shelves and things? Is it big enough? And what if I want to use it for sanding?

I'd like to be economical and "make do". But safety is the big thing. Can't really put a price on that. Especially since I'm such a novice.

It's kind of hard to realign the table when raising and lowering it. There isn't a crank so it flops back and forth.

I really need to put a table on it. Struggling with building one myself. Doesn't really look like the aftermarket ones out there are meant for the little ones.

So thinking I should move up to a bigger one.

Any suggestions?

Thanks so much.

[Bill Wilson]

IMHO, If you want to use your drill press for more than just drilling entry holes (which BTW can be readily done with a Dremel tool mounted in their drill press rig) you will always be dissatisfied with the smaller one. Does your small drill press have multiple speeds? If not, you don't want to put forstner bits in it, at least nothing very big. Large bits require slow speeds, so variable or adjustable speeds is a must. You also should have a table large enough and secure enough that you can clamp your workpiece down.

Also the larger capacity, quill travel and better adjustments on the table height and angle will be worth it. I don't think you have to necessarily spend huge $$ to get a decent unit. Mine is a Craftsman, probably 10-12 years old and I can't remember how much I paid for it, probably not more than $250. I've been very satisfied with it.

[Steviegwood]

I saw one the other day in a tractor supply flier (I think Clarke was the brand name) 16 speed w/light and laser. $169. Might be something to check out. I have a 15" 12 speed Craftsman floor model w/5/8" chuck that I have had for several years and I paid around $200 back then. Steve

[Barefoot1]

Sparky,

I use the Delta DP350 and am quite satisfied with it. You can get one for about $230.00 US give or take + taxes etcetera. I debated between this and a floor model and opted for this one. They take the same space as mine is on a stand but cost less and does everything I need it to.

[lilsparky]

The small drill press I have is a 5 speed. 760-3070 RPMs. So should I be able to use a Forstner bit big enough to do holes for mini clocks? And use it for a small sanding mop and maybe a drum sander?

[earlinjax]

I have a small drill press but it didn't have enough quill movement for some of the projects I was doing. I decided I would get a floor model and get rid of the smaller one. The DP I selected was the Harbor Freight (around 160, I think). It has served me very well. I did not sell the small one and am happy I didn't. Found I had good use for both of them. And, I use a Dremel for most starting holes. I think adding a floor model is a great and useful idea.

Earl

[Bill Wilson]

Originally Posted by lilsparky

The small drill press I have is a 5 speed. 760-3070 RPMs. So should I be able to use a Forstner bit big enough to do holes for mini clocks? And use it for a small sanding mop and maybe a drum sander?

760 is probably a little too fast for larger bits. This chart would indicate that 250-500 rpm is the recommended speed.


http://www.ibiblio.org/twa/info/drillSpeedChart.pdf

[lilsparky]

Bill,

Thanks - that's a great chart. Looks like I can pretty much do what I want, for now, with the little puppy. It's not like I'll be making a gazillion clocks, at least not yet!! Have a friend who I think has a "big kid" drill press and bet if I provided the bit, he'd fix me up.

Off to play. Still figuring out how to make a table for it so I can clamp things more easily.

[lilsparky]

PS, I just know that eventually I'll want a bigger one, so greatly appreciate the suggestions you all have given me so far!!

[lucky788scroller]

I have possibly the same Central Machinery drill press from Harbor Freight as Earl does. To me, its served me well, money well spent.The only thing I dont like about it is depth stop, but thats something I rarely ever use.I had a small bench top model, but found it was useless with a forstner bit over about 3/4 inch, as it spun to fast, and lacked power.A decent floor standing drillpress isnt mandatory by any means, but it sure is appreciated may times over.And, I see no reason to spend a fortune on a drillpress either,but having many speeds to choose from is almost a necessity.