Thread: Full Boar Pedestal Drill Press - any opinions on these???

Originally Posted by Ducfat

Just reviving an older thread. I purchased the FB drill press in the original post above, around 6 months ago. So far, it hasn't let me down. I use it regularly and so far, it cant be faulted. I also bought at the same time, a Full Boar bandsaw. Same deal, works well, no issues. Broke my first blade yesterday after 6 or so months of regular use.

Hi Ducfat, looking at buying a Full Boar bench drill from Bunnings and I was wondering if there is much side to side movement in the chuck when it is wound right down? Having a look at the only one they have set up in my Bunnings which is a pedestal drill there seems to be excessive side to side movement in the chuck shaft which would mean there was no chance it would drill a straight hole in a thick piece of wood. I'd say the pedestal and bench drills are the same item, just different heights.

Originally Posted by OzNeill

there seems to be excessive side to side movement in the chuck shaft which would mean there was no chance it would drill a straight hole in a thick piece of wood.

I bought the Full Boar 2 weeks ago. Spent a bit of time setting it up right, putting on rust protectant, adding a table with track... then discovered it drilled a 8mm hole with a 7mm bit. I could literally feel the wobble as I lowered the spindle.

Not impressed. Took it straight back. Probably was just unlucky, but I could not deal with doing it all again so spent more $ buying a decent one.

Interesting - sounds like the Full Boar build quality might have slipped. I've owned one of these for about 5 or more years and it's been great.

My only issue was getting sufficient tension on the belts to stop the belts slipping - but that was nothing that a pair of mole grips attached to the small lever to add extra leverage couldn't fix.

There are advantages and disadvantages to either electronic or mechanical speed control. IF the machine used a VFD and not a PWM speed controller, then torque at the chuck will remain the same through most of the speed range. With mechanical, with chuck rpm less than motor rpm, torque will be increased. At chuck speeds higher than motor, torque will be less than motor. Electronic speed control gives you infinite speed control where as mechanical is typically stepped. Electronic is also quick and easy but more to fail. How many novices calculate and change chuck speed as required? For most, 3 speeds is enough.

Remember $300 compared to $6000. It depends what you need. You don't build a chair with Balsa.

I’m still happy with my Full Boar drill press. I’m only mainly doing woodworking jobs, but did a big job requiring drilling lots of steel plate where I needed precision holes and it did an accurate job. I’m thinking of replacing the chuck with a keyless job. Guess I’m just lazy 😂