Which Drill press

[clogger]

Does anyone have a particular recommendation for a drill press I need.
Its for general woodworking projects. Its got to have an adjustable platform to rest the work on. I've made a drill press stand and a wooden base that I'm going to fix to the adjustable platform.
Budget not a problem, except I don't want to have one delivered from overseas if possible if it can be obtained here. I think Hitachi make a good drill press.

[Harry72]

A large JET (http://www.ptms.com.au/cgi-bin/PTMstore.pl?user_action=detail&catalogno=JDP20MF) will do the trick, worth about $1k.

I brought one about a year ago, very satisfied with it.

[Calm]

Some of the cheap ones are ok but you need to check out the travel. I purchased a GMC and the travel is only 60mm which is not enough to drill pen blanks in one hit without winding the table up and getting the last bit then winding it down to get the drill bit out.

That is a regular PITA but otherwise it works great the power is good and the stand appears to be solid.

[jerryc]

I go along with Harry72. The Jet is a first class drill press. Had mine, a pedestal model for about three years and can't fault it.

Jerry

[artme]

Have a look at Hafco. IMHO as good as Jet and less money.:):)

[specialist]

Have a look at Hafco

I just took delivery of a new hafco spd 25a drill press and for the money, I'm more than satisfied. The switch cover is broken in the pictures, done on transport:~

Quill lateral movement is .1mm
spindle runout is .01mm
chuck runout is .03mm

It took minimal setting up, although it needs to be bolted to the floor, or you could do what I did and make a mobile base. (see pictures)

I bought is on sale for 369 dollars, the real price is 420 dollars, still worth it in my opinion.

[Hoppoz]

Wood Review did a comparison of the a number of Drill Press's including a Jet and Carbatec models both Bench, at the time it listed the Carbatec as $300 and the Jet as $500 and rated the Carbatec above the Jet. The Carbatec is now listed as $369, I'm not sure on the list price for the Jet?

I'm leaning towards the Jet, but unless I have missed the mark I'm assuming that its also made in China?

I have a preference for the quality of German Engineering, with this in mind can anyone make a suggestion on the above two or a better alternative

Hoppoz

[funkychicken]

I saw a pedestal Ryobi in Mitre10 a while back. For the money it looked pretty darn good.

Anyone used them?

[Fossil]

I have had three drill presses in my time... (long story).
The first two were second hand Brobo Waldown units, and were very nice machines. I presently have a Mc Pherson machine which is as good or better than the Waldown machines.

I would personally always go with well known machines as used in industry, over the Asian offerings. Australian, English, American or European machines.

The Asian mass produced machines can do most jobs, but you will really notice the difference with a better quality machine.

[artme]

I'm with The Specialist. Ibought the Bench model of that Hafco. Saved a packet, couldn't be happier.:cool::cool: