Which drill press would you choose?

[zelk]

I am tossing up between two floorstanding drill presses.

Dp 1. 16 speeds, 195-3630 rpm, 0.75 Hp, MT2
Dp 2. 12 speeds, 210-2580 rpm, 1 Hp, MT2

Assuming price,origins of manufacture and other specifications are the same, which drill press would you choose and why?
Zelk

[DJ’s Timber]

I would go for more HP because you rarely need, if ever to go any faster than 2400 rpm

[zelk]

I would go for more HP because you rarely need, if ever to go any faster than 2400 rpm

Thanks DJ,
but is this also in relation to drilling steel?
Zelk

[Wongo]

I would buy the cheapest possible. Drill press is the only tool I did not invest a lot of money in. I have a Carbatec benchtop model and it serves its purpose very well. It drills holes.:2tsup:

[DJ’s Timber]

I use both my DP for steel and timber and I don't think I've ever gone pass 2500rpm on either. For smaller bits the faster speed is handy but then again 2500 is still fast enough for a 2mm bit. So unless your drilling hundreds of very small holes in steel plate the 1HP 12 speeds, 210-2580 rpm would cover 99.99% of your general drilling

[zelk]

I would buy the cheapest possible. Drill press is the only tool I did not invest a lot of money in. I have a Carbatec benchtop model and it serves its purpose very well. It drills holes.:2tsup:

Hi Wongo,

Putting it another way, let's say the drill presses were the same price and you were at gun point, which one would you choose?

Zelk

[Wongo]

I will choose the one on the right and please put the gun away. :D

[Vernonv]

Go for the higher HP as DJ said. In the long run you will benefit more from the extra HP than you would from the extra RPM.

[DavidG]

I would rate the order as
1. Lowest speed - About the same.
2. Horse power - 1 hp beats .75hp
3. Top speed - 2500 + is enough.

Therefore I choose the 1hp unit given all else equal. ie price and quality.

I would rate the height adjuster above the hp in a full test.

[zelk]

I will choose the one on the right and please put the gun away. :D

Wongo you leave me with no choice:whip:

[zelk]

It appears that more HP is more favorable.

If the drill press with the greater HP is made in China and the other is made in Taiwan, would you still go for the former DP assuming the quality of the external finish is the same with both DP's?
Zelk

[Wongo]

at gun point again? :D

[zelk]

at gun point again? :D

Hey, I thought I got rid of you!

Zelk

[HappyHammer]

How about links to the 2 DP's in question, might reach the answer quicker.:;

HH.

[switt775]

The question no one seems to be asking is, do you believe the HP rating?

The games companies play with HP ratings have been well discussed on this forum with table saws. No reason to believe it's any different with other machines. There seems to be a tendancy especially with goods from China to overstate the HP.

So I wouldn't want to make that criteria the deal maker / breaker.

[DavidG]

is made in China and the other is made in Taiwan
Then every thing else is NOT equal.

Taiwan beats china for quality.
The figures for HP are now iffy...

Would need to do a close inspection of both.
Check for free play etc.
Check table height adjustment ease.
etc.....

[zelk]

After further research it appears that the 1 HP DP refers to the input, as for the 0.75 HP DP I am still not sure whether it's for input or output.

Nevertheless, the DP's in question are

http://www.hitachi-powertools.com.au/ProductDetails.aspx?Product=B16RM
http://www.jet-tools.com.au/T/Drill%20Press/Specs%20JDP15MF.html

Now I find that both happen to be made in CHINA........ I really wanted to keep this as simple as possible..... really!
Zelk

[chrisp]

Zelk,

Be sceptical of the HP figures. Some of the motors are 110V/115V/230V/240V (configurable), 50/60Hz motors. You can often see the power rated as 0.75/1.0 HP on the nameplate. I suspect the higher HP figure is when operating on 60Hz (the motor runs faster on 60Hz and power = torque x speed).

Back to the drill specifications, have you considered quill travel? A drill press with little quill travel can be annoying to use.

[DavidG]

Not much to choose between them.
Swing 380 / 356 a little bit. (swing is nice, more the better) B16rm wins.

I think this one comes down to the price.
Which one can you get the best deal on?

[zelk]

Thanks guys,
I can't figure out why the Hitachi would talk about the input HP rating of their motors, rather than output HP which seems more commonly used. I am wondering if their actual output rating is far less.

Both DP's have a standard spindle travel of about 85 mm, does that seem like enough?

Zelk

[chrisp]

Zelk,

The travel seems to be fine (I must admit I didn't check the specs before posting before). Some drill presses only seem to have relatively short quill travel and it can be annoying to start drilling a hole and find that you hit the stop before the hole is deep enough then have to stop the drill, raise the table and recentre the drill in the hole and then continue drilling.

[Pusser]

Thanks guys,
I can't figure out why the Hitachi would talk about the input HP rating of their motors, rather than output HP which seems more commonly used...Zelk

I think, but could well be wrong. that you will find most power tools specify input HP rather than output. Input calculation is easier but more importantly from a sales point of view greater than output which is subject to more variables including motor efficiency.

[zelk]

I think, but could well be wrong. that you will find most power tools specify input HP rather than output. Input calculation is easier but more importantly from a sales point of view greater than output which is subject to more variables including motor efficiency.

Sorry about that, I should have done a little more research before opening my mouth.

As mentioned by Pusser, if one HP figure is quoted, then it's usually in relation to input. There are only a few manufacturers that quote input as well as output HP, which is of course more useful.

As it appears, all motors of the same input HP are not the same, there are different levels of quality that influence the level of efficiency and consequently determines the output HP.

Even though the Hitachi DP is 1 HP , its output maybe the same or close to the Jet DP which has an input of 0.75 HP, should check this out.

I note that the outer case of the Hitachi DP motor has fins, no doubt for cooling, where as with the Jet motor it is smooth, could this be an indication of something?

Zelk

[Vernonv]

Zelk, I've got to admit, you seem to be over-analysing this purchase somewhat. Both of the drills are brand name drills, manufactured by reputable manufacturers.

A quick overview of the major specs and how they relate to your requirements should be enough to help you decide. Looking for issues that aren't there (i.e. motor fins on the Hitachi) is only worth it it you are trying to justify purchasing the Jet and are looking for an excuse.

Ultimately either one would be fine, but personally I would still go for the higher HP.

[DavidG]

If you can, go and do a hands on, on each of them. You will then know which one to buy.

[specialist]

Gee, I don't know, but that Jet drill looks remarkably similar to my hafco one. There are a couple of differences, the table is round on mine and the color is grey over blue covers with a black stand.

I really don't know what the fuss is about, I've used a lot of different types of drill presses from small belt driven to huge radial arm drills and they all have play in the quill, they all have runout in the chuck/taper to a certain degree. I'm afraid that I purchased mine purely on price an hp.


Just my thoughts.

Robert

[zelk]

Gee, I don't know, but that Jet drill looks remarkably similar to my hafco one. There are a couple of differences, the table is round on mine and the color is grey over blue covers with a black stand.

I really don't know what the fuss is about, I've used a lot of different types of drill presses from small belt driven to huge radial arm drills and they all have play in the quill, they all have runout in the chuck/taper to a certain degree. I'm afraid that I purchased mine purely on price an hp.


Just my thoughts.

Robert

The equivalent Hafco DP happens to have a thicker column and well priced, seems like good value.
Zelk