Woodworking drill press.

I'm looking to upgrade an old, inherited el cheapo drill press that suffers from wobble and drill bit deflection. Thinking benchtop 500-750 watt. Most of my bits fit a 13mm chuck. Bits down to about 2mm. Mostly working with solid timber and some sheet. Thin metal for brackets etc. Some aluminium up to 5mm. Have been wading through the many on offer but generally seem beset by shortcomings. Accuracy and trueness are very important so I guess the price would reflect those requirements. Variable speed would be great. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance Shane

I recently bought a Saber from totaltools: Saber 650W Heavy Duty Bench Drill Press ZQJ4119K | Total Tools

Mainly because it is sturdy, has a keyless chuck 1.5 to 16 mm and 80 mm travel. So far I'm very happy with my purchase, this is a very solid machine.

You couldn't go past a Nova Viking! Not only does it fill your accuracy, trueness and variable speed requirements, but it is very quiet, reversible, has the most awesome depth stop arrangement, auto-start and just to top it off, a 115mm of quill travel :2tsup: Love mine to bits :U

I recently bought a used Waldown 8SN from a school, fitted a vfd and got a few new parts from Waldown. Its wonderful machine, very quiet and no vibration. Worth the effort of doing if you have the patience to find a used machine.

Probably cost more in the end than buying a new Asian thing but it will last forever.

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Originally Posted by TTIT

You couldn't go past a Nova Viking! Not only does it fill your accuracy, trueness and variable speed requirements, but it is very quiet, reversible, has the most awesome depth stop arrangement, auto-start and just to top it off, a 115mm of quill travel :2tsup: Love mine to bits :U

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Whilst this is my next drill i'll bet the OP doesn't want to pay out the $1700 when he is seems to be aiming lower based on the basic statement of a 600-750w bench top unit

The reality is most mid range and even cheaper bench top drill can drill a hole that 98% of people will be more than happy with. People seem to forget the basics of pilot holes or centre drills to start off bigger holes, locking tables down so they are square etc.

Actually a Bosch PDP40 may be well suited

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and expertise. Shane.

Years ago, I had a list of simple wood working projects which required reasonably accurate holes (screws and dowel pegs) at 90 degrees
to the wood surfaces.
The little Delta 8" bench top drill presses were on sale for $100. How could I go wrong?
In the first month, I drilled 3,000 holes to my satisfaction.

Since then, I have drilled , shaped, ground, polished and cut metals, bones, stones, teeth and sea shells.
I'll say that every 5 years, I need a bigger unit, say a 12".

Have you considered the Bosch desktop unit? The PBD40 has been discussed here: Bosch PBD 40 Bench drill

I find it quite adequate for what I do - I'm sure your needs will probably differ, but there's enough information in the linked thread for you to make an informed decision I think :)

Concur on the Bosch. Great utility for the size. The lack of a tilting table is thing you are most left wanting, IMHO. And you can get around that for most small jobs.

If you're looking for a more conventional drill press, ie. not one of the newer electronic speed control models, you're more likely to get value at one of the larger machinery retailers who import direct rather than a franchise outlet. So, Timbecon, Hare and Forbes, Gasweld or Carbatec, Hare and Forbes would be my first port of call for a drill press. In my experience the franchise tool stores, like Total Tools, have higher prices simply because there's two entities trying to get a bite out of supplying them. Your location doesn't make things easy if you want to view prior to purchase and pretty much whatever you buy will have to be freighted, this always makes it more difficult to commit to a purchase.

The Bosch mentioned by Midnight Man isn't bad at all. I have the Bosch, and also a much bigger pedestral drill from Hare and Forbes. I find myself going to the Bosch much more often. It has variable speed, laser alignment, direct drive and digital control. It has enough grunt for wood. Also the price is quite reasonable, especially when it is on special. I bought mine on ebay last year.

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Originally Posted by Surfmore

I'm looking to upgrade an old, inherited el cheapo drill press .... Thinking benchtop 500-750 watt. ....

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I went through this decision making process six or seven years ago and eventually got a Ryobi benchtop - not brilliant, but adequate.

Now I strongly regret buying a benchtop drill press.

My benchtop is too valuable to store the drill press on so it usually lives on the floor beside the bench. Then every time that I want use the DP I have to lift it onto the bench, but often there is no free room or I cannot be bothered lifting it for just one small hole. So I free hand the drilling. Then I remember why I got the drill press.

I am now looking around for a good floor standing drill press!

I would have to agree with Jonesy850 above.....there are some bargains in 2nd hand presses if you have the time to be patient and some of the old equipment was built to work hard and last a very long time. Personally I was fortunate to pick up a Taiwanese Macmillan from the late 70's for $50 that my great grandkids will use if they have the urge...I just hope I never have to move it as it weighs a ton! Recently I drilled 2 x 1.2mm holes in a titanium watch band clasp with it, so quite versatile despite the size. Certainly a major upgrade from my 5 speed Ryobi lol!

Borrowed a friends' 1hp Hafco pedestal drill press to do my current task and have been pleasantly surprised by its' performance. It is certainly more robust than the old benchtop and has changed my thinking about the style to purchase. Thanks for eveyone's advice. Shane.