looking for advise on a drill press

[xsefan]

Hi all I would like to know what is the best drill press I can get for about $300. I would do a ar 80% sten tube and ak holes.
I had a 60 harbor freight it was good for wood work but the chuck had to much play for metal work. I'm not apposed to a bigger harbor freight drill press and they are in my price range. If could by a,mill I would but I'm in the $300 range. Any advise would be helpful thanks. Ak barrel pin is the first thing I will grill on it

[milotrain]

You aren't going to find a new drill press of quality for $300. New quality drill presses cost the same as used milling machines. Used drill presses are expensive because they fit in people's garages and trucks, you'll likely find a better price on a used mill.

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

I've always wondered how good the harbor freight mini milling machine was. If your budget is 300 why not save a little more and wait for that bad boy? I have seen it on sale a few times right under 500.00. Just throwing it out there to consider. I do know of people using a dremel on the sten tubes. They are not as forgiving as an aluminum lower on a drill press.

[Newport]

Porter-Cable Floor Drill Press Model PCB660DP available from Lowes for $319.00 plus tax. Assume you will be using an end mill (not a regular drill bit) and proper machinist's vise hard-mounted to drill presses' work surface.

[Baeleron]

Check for used ones too. I found a great old-school full size drill press on craigslist for $100. Works great.

[toddh]

Drill presses have been discussed alot over the past 2 years.

Try using the search feature to find those threads.

Lot's of information in those threads.


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[yari]

Craigslist!!! Bought a lightly used delta for 75$ it is a 650$ drill press new. Now I want to say, don't plan on using a drill press as a mill. You will ruin both your part and the drill press. Look at a mini mill for doing both. Used x2 mini mills are close to your price range and are around the size of a bench top drill press.

[bohoki]

buy a cheap one cause side load is going to wreck it

my harbor freight has done about 10 80% and its pretty whacked out but i could probably do a few more

[xsefan]

I was looking at a used mini mill I found one on Craigslist but it's 2.5 hours away. I have been looking at used drill presses but they seem to outrageous in price. Some people are asking more than I can get one new. I thought only people on calguns did that! I found a bunch full size mills as well. I just don't know how to check a mill or a drill press for damage. I'm I just looking for play in the chuck? As far as using it as a mill I won't be putting much pressure on it. For example I would use a drill bit eat up a bunch of material in an 80% then switch to the end mill pushing down on the extra left behind by the drill bit. Then go around to clean up the edges. The max I would do is 4 one for each family member. It's mostly going to be used for holes in ak receivers and holes in sten tube. After that just wood working

[bohoki]

yea just get the cheapest harbor freight one just keep an eye on the set screw on the pulleys might want to locktite it do not overtorque it just make it snug

also instead of going top speed which makes the belt be above the shaft put it one notch lower

also use a little scissors jack from your car under the table to let you raise and lower it easier and with precision

how i do it is i made some stop blocks out of trex decking (its splinter proof and smooth) and mount them to the table with carriage boolts those big washers and wingnuts

i hog as much material out with drill bits then take about 5 steps with the endmill to get to the bottom

then drill the side holes and trigger slot out last

i find the rear takedown area almost as hard to do as the main pocket so if possible buy 80% that has that area done

[xsefan]

I had a cheap 60$ drill press and doing a,sten it would walk off center when I tried to drill out the holes in the front." The front looked like a sterling kit." So I had to stop and spend hours with the dremel to get them done. I'm trying to get a drill press that won't walk off center with light pressure. A drill press should move straght up and down. Thats all I'm looking for.
Anyone want to let me know,what drill press they use and if they are happy with it? How much was it?

[xsefan]

Drilling iron or steel I want it slow under 600 rpm with lots of oil to reduce heat.

[bksa]

I had a cheap 60$ drill press and doing a,sten it would walk off center when I tried to drill out the holes in the front." The front looked like a sterling kit." So I had to stop and spend hours with the dremel to get them done. I'm trying to get a drill press that won't walk off center with light pressure. A drill press should move straght up and down. Thats all I'm looking for.
Anyone want to let me know,what drill press they use and if they are happy with it? How much was it?

you're talking about the drill bit walking off when you start drilling the hole? if so, it ain't the machine's problem.

[toddh]

Hi all I would like to know what is the best drill press I can get for about $300. I would do a ar 80% sten tube and ak holes.
I had a 60 harbor freight it was good for wood work but the chuck had to much play for metal work. I'm not apposed to a bigger harbor freight drill press and they are in my price range. If could by a,mill I would but I'm in the $300 range. Any advise would be helpful thanks. Ak barrel pin is the first thing I will grill on it

I was looking at a used mini mill I found one on Craigslist but it's 2.5 hours away. I have been looking at used drill presses but they seem to outrageous in price. Some people are asking more than I can get one new. I thought only people on calguns did that! I found a bunch full size mills as well. I just don't know how to check a mill or a drill press for damage. I'm I just looking for play in the chuck? As far as using it as a mill I won't be putting much pressure on it. For example I would use a drill bit eat up a bunch of material in an 80% then switch to the end mill pushing down on the extra left behind by the drill bit. Then go around to clean up the edges. The max I would do is 4 one for each family member. It's mostly going to be used for holes in ak receivers and holes in sten tube. After that just wood working

I had a cheap 60$ drill press and doing a,sten it would walk off center when I tried to drill out the holes in the front." The front looked like a sterling kit." So I had to stop and spend hours with the dremel to get them done. I'm trying to get a drill press that won't walk off center with light pressure. A drill press should move straght up and down. Thats all I'm looking for.
Anyone want to let me know,what drill press they use and if they are happy with it? How much was it?

you're talking about the drill bit walking off when you start drilling the hole? if so, it ain't the machine's problem.

Even with the dozens of drill press threads out there for info, the mill threads available for info, ....this guy just continues on wondering aloud and posting it.
Clearly, the OP is in way over his head here.


And his then own admission to "walking" drill bits....

OP, here's a HINT....you can use 2 things to prevent "walking" drill bits.
You take a small center punch, and a small hammer, and lightly tap the punch's center point where the hole will be.
You can also use a spring loaded punch for this.
This creates a small indent to keep the drill centered.
The other way....use a "center drill" to create a small divot that will guide the following drill bit and center it.
And FYI... it also helps if you work is solidly clamped.

Now please, go figure out what you need to do, and educate yourself to how you need to do it.




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[IrishJoe3]

Check for used ones too. I found a great old-school full size drill press on craigslist for $100. Works great.

Ditto. Just picked up a 55 inch floor mounted drill press for $200