Thread: Which of these drill presses is the better buy?

Hi wixy
I have one that look similar to them does have different handle bar with knobs as to the casting.
The chuck on mine has a nasty habit of falling out when it sould not and as hard as hell to get out when you want to. Best if it has a draw bolt to hold chuck in.
I would not be keen on the handle on those in your links because if you you are doing some a bit odd you can not remove the bottom hanel to give a bit more room (done this a few times)
Just my thoughts
Russell

The Carbatec motor is slightly larger at 2HP compared to 1.5HP for the Hare and Forbes version. Carbatec is chuck is MT4 (vs MT3) which may make it slightly more robust.

I saw a similar machine on the Jet stand recently at the Bissy WWW show and that was only 1HP.

Regards
Paul

I've spent some time looking into drill presses. Neither of the machines you list comes with a specification for runout. Therefore, you will find that it's a lottery as to whether they run true. You may also find flex though the structure.

I'd look around for a machine with a runout guarantee (or specified maximum) so at least you can return it if it fails to meet your requirements. If you buy a machine off the floor you can measure the runout before purchase.

I've found that this type of generic rebranded Chinese manufactured machine is inconsistent.

As an alternative, at the lower-priced end of the market the Hitachi branded machine is significantly better, they seem to have better quality control. While Jet provide (or at least did last time I checked) a runout guarantee so you can return an out-of-spec machine.

There are more expensive options where accuracy is much tighter.

Good luck with your purchase.

Horaldic

The removable handles on the Carba-Tec win for me. Near the bottom of a stroke, the lower handle is in the way sometimes.

I replaced the flimsy knobs on an old Craftsman with drilled and tapped golf balls.

Cheers,
Joe

If you but machinery from Carba-Tec you take a chance on it being returned for repairs or replacement or money back. It is primarily chinese crap. Expeience tells me that. Best of luck.

Originally Posted by cookie48

If you but machinery from Carba-Tec you take a chance on it being returned for repairs or replacement or money back. It is primarily chinese crap. Expeience tells me that. Best of luck.

Not everything Carbatec sells is Chinese - most of my Carbatec-branded machines are made in Taiwan and came with 5-year guarantees (mostly, other-branded versions of the same machine have two-year guarantees).

Not everything made in China is junk; my HP-branded computers are made in China, and so are most (all, I think) of my Makita power tools.

Hi Wixy,

I have just been down this road and was looking at the exact same H&F model, I went into the store and had a look and ended up with this one
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=D162
It was chalk and cheese when you compare them next to each other and IMO the extra money was well spent

Warrick

Originally Posted by wixy

I'm looking to buy a drill press and have narrowed it down to these two options:

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=D152
Carba-Tec® 2HP 12 Speed Extra Heavy Pedestal Drill Press : CARBA-TEC

The are about the same price (~$760), but based on specs it would appear the Carbatec one is equal or better than the Hare & Forbes one in every way? Unless I'm missing something?

Also, are these "heavy duty" models prone to the same quality issues (e.g. runout) as the cheaper models?

Advice would be much appreciated.

I would imagine both are made in china. Nowadays not everything from there is crap. The trick is finding what is and what is not. I would be going to have a look and some hands on both machines. I would ask to see them run before making a decision. Power is not an issue between them unless you want to run large diameter drills in metal or perhaps largish sanding drums. For example my wood lathe is only 1HP and it turns some quite large lumps of wood. Check the quality of material and workmanship and how smooth they run. Put a spade bit in the chuck and check if there is any runout by watching the point turn. If you can see any then pick another machine.(this test will be good enough for general woodwork but not engineering work). Extend the quill all the way down(not turning) grab the chuck and see if it has any play. A good machine should not have any when checked by hand this way. Sadley my cheap old thing is developing a bit and I am also on the lookout.
Regards
John

Originally Posted by orraloon

I would imagine both are made in china.

The one I got is made in Taiwan it is the same model that is used by TAFE
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...tockCode=K8200
just without external stop/start station and the accessories

Regards

Warrick