Harbor Freight Drill Press?

[Ben]

Yesterday, after drilling yet another couple of drunken holes with the hand drill, I decided I want a drill press. It's something I have room for, but won't be using a lot. In fact I don't think I've used one since shop class in school.

I'm not up on what features to look for in a reasonably priced press, but does anyone have one of the Bauer presses from HF? Or should I hit the Craigslist for used stuff? I see floor models there (the Bauers are bench top) for less than the Bauers. I'm thinking I'm in the $200 range for something. Thoughts?

[Kingcreek]

Wen is a decent Amazon brand. Grizzly are good. Haven’t used the HF but Bauer is getting a better reputation.
I bought an old but good craftsman benchtop a couple years ago on an estate auction for $45.
You can do almost everything with a benchtop it just depends on what you have more of, bench space or floor space.

[Ben]

You can do almost everything with a benchtop it just depends on what you have more of, bench space or floor space.

Floor space is more available and would be easier, but I can always build a bench extension or just keep a bench press on the floor except for when I use it for a project, so I guess I can go either way.

[dogmush]

I haven't used a HF drill press in like 15 years, but when I had one it had pretty bad runout.  Bad enough that holes under 1/8" or so in anything other than pine would break the drill bit.  Depending on what you're doing that may be a show stopper.  But HF has gotten a lot better in the intervening years.  I will say that where they tend to cut corners is in the chuck, so if yo buy a cheap drill press, and it doesn't work for you, you may be able to put a good chuck on it and save it.

IME $200 is pretty low for a decent floor drill press, new, and if you have the floor space floor models are WAY better.  Way easier to use, more versitle, and safer (when bolted down.  You are going to bolt it down, right?  floor or bench, it needs to be secured).

Grizzly has this one on sale right now, that appears pretty stout: https://www.grizzly.com/products/shop-fox-34-floor-radial-drill-press/w1670

I can't get to HF on this computer, but looking at my phone they have a 20" Production Drill press with a $200 off Inside Track Coupon, bringing it down to $500, which looks like a pretty solid deal.  Item# 39955

Whatever you decide, when you're looking at them runout on the CHuck is the single biggest thing to look at.  That's what will make holes the wrong size, in the wrong place, and break drill bits.  If looking at a used one chuck the longest drill bit you have in it and turn it on to check for runout indicating a worn chuck, arbor, or bearings.

[Kingcreek]

Maybe might could check runout before leaving the store if HF management is ok with it.

[BobR]

I know you don't do FB so the marketplace there is not going to help but have you thought of looking on Craigslist? Drill presses are one of those things that sit around and then sell for well under their cost when new.

bob

[Ben]

IME $200 is pretty low for a decent floor drill press, new, and if you have the floor space floor models are WAY better.  Way easier to use, more versitle, and safer (when bolted down.  You are going to bolt it down, right?  floor or bench, it needs to be secured).

Grizzly has this one on sale right now, that appears pretty stout: https://www.grizzly.com/products/shop-fox-34-floor-radial-drill-press/w1670

I can't get to HF on this computer, but looking at my phone they have a 20" Production Drill press with a $200 off Inside Track Coupon, bringing it down to $500, which looks like a pretty solid deal.  Item# 39955

So you know that you're a jackass, right? You always talk me into spending way more money than any five other guys here put together.  

Yeah, it'll be bolted. Either directly to the floor or if I do "removable bench" I'll put a mounting solution on the bench.

Also this would be predominately used for drilling steel. I've got some Winter projects in the works that require drilling and tapping.

[Ben]

I know you don't do FB so the marketplace there is not going to help but have you thought of looking on Craigslist?
bob

Mentioned in the OP. 

Right now there's only like a half dozen listed locally, but I'm not in "need it now" mode.

[Ben]

Also, how would one check runout? I'm assuming runout is wobble?

[Kingcreek]

Yes. The longer the bit the easier to see.

[Kingcreek]

https://www.grizzly.com/promotions/2024/0822-warehouse-drill-presses-bits

[Kingcreek]

“Also this would be predominately used for drilling steel. I've got some Winter projects in the works that require drilling and tapping”
If runout isn’t a problem, it works really well to drill with the press then chuck the tap in the press and at least start threading in the chuck.

[dogmush]

Also, how would one check runout? I'm assuming runout is wobble?

Yes, runout is wobble.  To test: Procedure 1. "the right way" Chuck some drill rod in the press, put a dial indicator on a magnetic stans on the head of the drill press reading on the rod right below the chuck. Zero indicator. Turn on drill press on lowest speed and read the runout between max neg and max pos indications.  Do the whole thing again with the drill press spindle all the way extended.  Runout should be the same when spindle is retracted or extended, and minimal.  Procedure 2 "the easy, cheap way"  Put the longest *known straight* round thing you have in the chuck (good drill bit, drill rod, supressor allignment gauge, AR barrel, whatever you know is straight and can be clamped well by the chuck.) turn on drill press at med speed and observe wobble at the end of your "gauge".  The longer the "gauge" the more run out will be magnified and easier to see.

Hard numbers will depend on how much you spend on the press, but ideally I'd like to see under 5 thou indicated at the chuck.  Much more than that and you run a real risk using carbide bits in metal as those things have no flex in them.  For the redneck test I'd like "no visible wobble" within about 4-6" of the chuck.

For comparison, I have a RIGID floor drill press that had really bad runout when I got it.  I replaced the Home Depot grade chuck with a precision chuck from a machinist site.  Chuck has .0004" runout, and on the drill press I have .003" TIR (Total Indicated Runout) which is honestly pretty good for a drill press, which are not precision machines.

Acceptable runout will depend a lot on what you are using the press for.  TiN coated steel bits in wood for a bench project can tolerate a lot more wobble then small carbide bits in steel drilling a bolt pattern.

But for general farm use.....under 5 thou ish should be as good as you need to be.

[dogmush]

“Also this would be predominately used for drilling steel. I've got some Winter projects in the works that require drilling and tapping”
If runout isn’t a problem, it works really well to drill with the press then chuck the tap in the press and at least start threading in the chuck.

It does hold the tap nice and straight, but you gotta make sure to let go of the handle when the tap starts feeding itself to keep the pitch correct.

If you're doing much power tapping at all a floating spindle tap holder is really nice.  You can put the combination twist drill and tap in the floating holder and it will drill and tap in one operation.  Use lube.

[HankB]

Here's a low cost drill press on ebay right now - some cosmetic issues, but they'll buff right out. (Well, you were looking at Harbor Freight . . .  )

[Ben]

https://www.grizzly.com/promotions/2024/0822-warehouse-drill-presses-bits

Yikes. The prices are good, but those freight rates (unless I'm missing something)!

[French G.]

Go used. I went way used, asked my dad for his old press, from the days where the companies making line shaft tools started slapping those new electric motors on things. Weighs more than most modern mills.

[dogmush]

Used drill press in Boise:  https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/714619970783717/

 

[Ben]

Used drill press in Boise:  https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/714619970783717/

 

Oh, you're hilarious.
 

[dogmush]

Oh, you're hilarious.
 

I really am.

Joking aside, there are actually a fair bit of what appear to be gently used floor drill presses on Marketplace in the Boise-ish area.  $175-$300ish  I don't know exactly where in Idaho you live, but the used market could be the winner here.

This old Craftsman is prolly pretty good: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/703056642005909/
Either of these Amrox's: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/263253280184175/ or https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/510860848094629/
Even though it's not a floor press this old Continental is a serious tool, and will last forever and is repairable: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/773483194862832/

Just check for runout, free movement and excessive sideplay in the quill bearings.  If it seems semi-tight you are probably good to go.

[Ben]

I really am.

Joking aside, there are actually a fair bit of what appear to be gently used floor drill presses on Marketplace in the Boise-ish area.  $175-$300ish  I don't know exactly where in Idaho you live, but the used market could be the winner here.

This old Craftsman is prolly pretty good: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/703056642005909/
Either of these Amrox's: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/263253280184175/ or https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/510860848094629/
Even though it's not a floor press this old Continental is a serious tool, and will last forever and is repairable: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/773483194862832/

Just check for runout, free movement and excessive sideplay in the quill bearings.  If it seems semi-tight you are probably good to go.

All those places are within an hour of me (that is to say, "Idaho local"). Dammit, now you guys are gonna make me sign up for facebook too, huh? That is (I think) a better selection than what I saw on the Boise craigslist.

[Bogie]

What are you going to be doing with it?
 
If you're just doing drilling, any of the new HF drill presses should suffice.
 
If you want milling machine capability, I'd recommend one of these. I have one, and while it isn't as big/sturdy as my Bridgeport, it's a dandy little tool.

[Ben]

What are you going to be doing with it?

Just plain old drilling. Please don't tell me you guys are now going to tell me I should just get a milling machine, because I'll want one eventually. I'm gonna run out of money and have to go work at Walmart. 

[Kingcreek]

Just plain old drilling. Please don't tell me you guys are now going to tell me I should just get a milling machine, because I'll want one eventually. I'm gonna run out of money and have to go work at Walmart. 

Hey you asked for advice. Nothing easier than spending somebody else’s money.

[RocketMan]

Imagine Ben, a greeter at Walmart.