Drill Press?

[DeltaV]

It would be nice to get the kind of insight DeltaV offered on the Kobalt, if anyone is familiar with the Bauer.

For only $230 more, there's this Central Machinery Press/Mill.

I don't think I need a mill, but I didn't think I needed a Dremel either.

It's a benchtop unit though.

I can stop by Harbor Freight tomorrow and see if they have any on display.

 

[JR_Charger]

I've got a HF nearby, but the closest Bauer floor unit is at a HF a couple hours away.

 

[DeltaV]

Here's the only floor unit Harbor Freight has -

BAUER 17 in. Variable-Speed Drill Press with Light​

Thoughts? I imagine tracking down parts for this in the future would be nigh impossible.

$500 is a lot more than I was looking to pay, but not more than I can afford. But, "once and done," don't want to deal with this again.

Used would be nice, but I don't think I've ever seen one come up in this area.

Checkout Northern Tool and Tractor Supply stores in your area; and they should have websites showing what they available.

 

[33 IMP]

My drill press. It's a bit on the old side.

 

[Photon440]

I ran this Asquith radial arm drill press for years on the railroad. Two 600 volt motors (one was used to raise and lower the arm), two speed gearbox with a range of 31 to about 800 rpm., automatic feed, big pump for cutting fluid. It was built in England in 1942, very reliable. I could drill 1 inch holes in cast steel in no time flat, long spirals of cuttings piling up everywhere.

 

[mrhemi]

My drill press. It's a bit on the old side.

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I have one similar, even has automatic feed. Problem is the square shank bits that it requires.

 

[6PKRTSE]

That is one thing I have never had at home is a drill press. I don't have the floor space. I have always managed with my vise and hand drill. However, whenever I need to do something above a hand drill. We have over 35+ CNC machines, dozens of Bridgeports, dozens of manual lathes, several drill presses and any other kind of equipment needed for any job. I just stay after work to do what I need. Then take it home.

 

[440 4 speed]

My drill press. It's a bit on the old side.

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I think I have square shanked bits somewhere. The drill press is long gone.

 

[zyzzyx]

Yeah, That old guy is one of the first cordless drills out there! You can take it anywhere and set it up.
They sure don't make em like they used to!

 

[DeltaV]

For only $230 more, there's this Central Machinery Press/Mill.

I started the following thread back in 2020, and didn't get a mini mill.

Drill presses, mini mill? Need your advice.
I have been shopping again for a drill press now that I'm retired.

 

[3sloppydogs]

I have an older floor model craftsman.i use it all the time.
If you get one get a cross vice for it also
MSC tools has nice selections

 

[DeltaV]

I've got a HF nearby, but the closest Bauer floor unit is at a HF a couple hours away.

The HF in my county has two display models and I looked them over this evening:

12" Bauer benchtop for $299.99

1) The vertical height adjustment gearing was somewhat sloppy.
2) the clamp-up to keep the table from rotating around the post was closed and tight, but the table still moved.
3) the table was sloppy up-and-down when I pushed up on it.
4) Maybe this benchtop unit wasn't properly assembled?
5) Seems to be a pretty solid unit other than what I mentioned above. However, $299.99 seems high to me. I would spend $499.99 on the unit below instead.

17" Bauer floor mount for $499.99

1) Everything that matters is metal and solid.
2) It seems stout and I didn't see anything that concerned me.
3) It is Made in China
4) I don't know about future availability of replacement parts.
5) The only plastic I found were 4 knobs and the switches.

 

[Unkle Krusty]

Yes. The carriage thing, side to side and back to front, is a nice thing to have. Probably not part of the drill press.

 

[DeltaV]

On a related note, there are a lot of old drill presses for sale on Facebook around the country.

For example, this used Delta 17-900 for $400 is a little bit more than one hour away from me.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

My drill press... Works great...

 

[Tony Tee]

I bought a ENCO. mill drill many years ago when they were still in business. Drove to Atlanta GA. To pick it up. Best tool purchase I ever made. Super handy. My old drill press is collecting dust.
Get one if you can. You won't regret it.

 

[65CopCar]

My drill press... Works great...


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That's too much work. I'm lazy. I rather push buttons. LOL! And I rarely use drills anymore. Most of the time I just interpolate the holes with an end mill.

 

[33 IMP]

My drill press... Works great...


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I had a chance to buy an old clausing lathe and Bridgeport cheap when the company I was working for closed/relocated. I didn't have the room at the time, nor the 440 they were wired for.
Now that I have room.... they are years gone.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

That's too much work. I'm lazy. I rather push buttons. LOL! And I rarely use drills anymore. Most of the time I just interpolate the holes with an end mill.

View attachment 1827114

My buddy has three EZ Tracs & a couple full on CNC's ... Cheating if ya ask me...

 

[1 Wild R/T]

I had a chance to buy an old clausing lathe and Bridgeport cheap when the company I was working for closed/relocated. I didn't have the room at the time, nor the 440 they were wired for.
Now that I have room.... they are years gone.

It's nice to have around... Mine's 220 3ph, I use a VFD... My big Lathe was wired for 440, I switched it to 220 3 ph & use a rotary phase convertor for it...