Unrealize Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 Hey folks. I'm thinking about buying a drillpress, and I have tried to find a few used, but to no luck. I found a nice one that was actually sold in my hometown, but I was one hour late. Anyway, I have found this one: Drill Press It is probably not the best in the world, but it is the only one that I have found that I can afford. Would it be good enough for general guitarbuilding? I'll try to translate the description to the best of my ability: Kraftig gulvmodell med hode, bord og fot av støpejern. Powerful floormodel with head, table and foot in cast iron Table has T-track that can rotate around the pole, and angle at 45 degrees. Total height 1600 mm. Effect 850 watts. 210-2200 rpm in 12 steps. 16 mm chuck, distance from pole to spindelcenter 170 mm. Max distance between chuck and table 640 mm. I guess those are the most important features. Also, there is a tablemount model of this one, that is a LOT cheaper, but it is a little bit smaller, and not as powerful, could that still be an option for me..? I'd appreciate any input guys! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 I use a much smaller drill press than that one.I use mine for drilling tuners and bridge mounting posts.The only thing mine does not work for is drilling input jacks,so I do that by hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unrealize Posted April 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 (edited) Thanks wethemann, it's pretty much the same I will use it for, input jacks are no problem to do by hand. Also I was thinking about doing some small planings with a safe-t planer and that kind of stuff. This is the smaller version: Drill press - Small It is FAR cheaper, the only thing I was afraid of was that it might be too small to locate bridge posts and so on properly, but I guess it might do. If so I think I will go with this one, prize, size and so on makes this one probably more right for me... Though, it says that it only has 100 mm distance from the pole to the senter of the drill, that sounds little to me, but I might be wrong... Edited April 30, 2007 by Unrealize Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biliousfrog Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 The smaller model looks very similar to mine (probably the same). I'm very happy with mine, it is very useful for basic drilling tasks but it has a few problems. 1. It isn't really powerful enough for hogging out pickup cavities & such with a forstner bit. It works ok but I have to use a slower speed & do lots of shallow passes or else the drill just sticks in the wood. 2. The throat (depth from chuck to pole) is too small. It only becomes apparent when I need to drill bridge posts & that's when I need it most. Fortunately I have access to another drill press at my step-dad's but it is very inconvenient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmarlin Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 hey biliousfrog you must have the same drill press I have. I got mine at a pawn shop for $30 but yeah I need to upgrade because of those same reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unrealize Posted April 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 (edited) Hmmm, so it seems that I should stay clear of this then. seems like I should go for the big one. Does anyone have any suggestions for some good presses out there, preferably none that will blow my creditcard to pieces.... Edited April 30, 2007 by Unrealize Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 I have built a beast,2 Vs,an esp F copy,and an Explorer-esque guitar with mine and have only had to finagle just a little to make it work,but bigger IS almost always better in the case of a drill press.But off the top of my head i can't recall the size of mine. I cannot read the language on the sight you link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 Thanks wethemann, it's pretty much the same I will use it for, input jacks are no problem to do by hand. Also I was thinking about doing some small planings with a safe-t planer and that kind of stuff. This is the smaller version: Drill press - Small It is FAR cheaper, the only thing I was afraid of was that it might be too small to locate bridge posts and so on properly, but I guess it might do. If so I think I will go with this one, prize, size and so on makes this one probably more right for me... Though, it says that it only has 100 mm distance from the pole to the senter of the drill, that sounds little to me, but I might be wrong... Generally 5" is the minimum depth. A standard 16" swing model will work for everything including press fitting frets. I always do the upper frets in the drill press on a glued in neck, works fine. I own a Delta 16" drill press and believe me its no great wonder machine, in fact its pretty bad but it functions. The larger swing models are certainly easier to use especially with a safety planer where the shaft should have some bulk. As long as the chuck and shaft dont have horrible run out most drill presses should work fine. When you get the drill press make sure its within the manufacturers specs. If it isn't return it and get another one. You should own a dial indicator and stand. I had to replace the original chuck because it was horrible. GB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peppie Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Hey, I'm using a drill press very similar to the smaller one you are showing. The brand is Skil (it's a spin off from Bosch). I bought it in a regular hardware store last year for only € 57,00 and it just brings a smile to my face every time I use it. I guess it's a commodity tool in the Netherlands. If I were you, I would not spend that much money on a drill press. Cheers, Peppie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Funny....I've got a small, cheap press, and if I had the space and money, I'd replace it right darn quick. THing that annoys me most about it is that I can't quite drill the studs for a trem because it won't reach that far into a body. Actually, what I really want is a mill, but that's a different issue ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherokee6 Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 You can always swing the table away and use a different clamping system so that you will have more travel for the quill on the smaller press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orgmorg Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 2200 rpm is a bit slow for a woodworking drill press. Better to have one that goes up to 3000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 I don't think I've ever needed to go past 2100 on my drill press. Here's a chart for safe measure. http://www.ibiblio.org/twa/info/drillSpeedChart.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 You can always swing the table away and use a different clamping system so that you will have more travel for the quill on the smaller press. Travel isn't the issue; throat depth is. Distance from pillar to drill bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orgmorg Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 Jon, That is a really cool chart, thanks for posting it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 I believe David Myka pointed it out to me, I already have a chart for it that came with my drill press. Although it's not as precise as the chart previously linked. Print it out and staple it to the wall! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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