Harbor Freight drill press vs. Craftsman

[Subotai]

I noticed that while drilling with the el cheapo Harbor Freight drill press that the bit tends to "wander" unless I'm careful when starting a hole. This means the bit moves around before the hole is drilled. Someone told me to get a Craftsman drill press. Is this true? Will other drill presses not wander.

[gunboat]

You need a center drill or a center punch to start your hole -- most all bits will wander a bit when starting -- The craftsman DP is likely made in china like all the rest -- The problem is usually exaggerated by the poor quality chucks more than the drill press itself -- my ha-penny

[nicoroshi]

+1 on center punching your hole to start the drill bit.
If your drill chuck can be moved side to side by hand then you might want to think about a different set up. If it's just the bit flexing then the center punch should solve the issue for you.

[JAGGUY]

Spring loaded center punch followed by a 1/16" pilot hole works for me.

[Subotai]

Ah,so it's the bit, not the drill press.

[gunboat]

No, most likely it is your proceedure -- chinese chucks tend to be less accurate, at least the older ones. Chinese and cheap US bits can be slightly crooked as well -
Layout the hole, center punch, then drill a starting hole about 3/32" then your larger hole. if it is a rounded surface use a center drill for starting -- small diameter bits can flex a lot --- before breaking --

[E Pluribus Unum]

Harbor freight tools are cheaper. I usually use my tools for what they are intended for, and as such they rarely break. If I do something stupid with them, and they break, I can go back to Harbor Freight and replace them three times before they equal the price of a craftsman....

I love harbor freight.

[Subotai]

No, most likely it is your proceedure -- chinese chucks tend to be less accurate, at least the older ones. Chinese and cheap US bits can be slightly crooked as well -
Layout the hole, center punch, then drill a starting hole about 3/32" then your larger hole. if it is a rounded surface use a center drill for starting -- small diameter bits can flex a lot --- before breaking --

Yeah, that's what I meant.

[sd_shooter]

My HF drill press has a fair bit of play on the shaft, and it has nothing to do with the chuck. (The chuck itself is secure.)

I spent only $40 on it and I used it all the time when building my AK. Using the techniques described in previous posts I achieved sufficient precision when drilling holes in my flat. I would build another AK with this press, no problem.

However there have been times I'd wished I'd gotten a better press, but $40 for a tool that I normally don't use is still a great deal.

[bigbob76]

My HF drill press has a fair bit of play on the shaft, and it has nothing to do with the chuck. (The chuck itself is secure.)

I spent only $40 on it and I used it all the time when building my AK. Using the techniques described in previous posts I achieved sufficient precision when drilling holes in my flat. I would build another AK with this press, no problem.

However there have been times I'd wished I'd gotten a better press, but $40 for a tool that I normally don't use is still a great deal.

+1 I went to buy the cheaper HF drill press on sale but they were out and gave me a higher priced one for the same price. Yes I've had better tools in the past but this has been fine for building a few AKs. If I wanted something better I would spring for a Grizzly mini mill. It's compact and very nice for small jobs. Even if you just use it as a drill press it is a joy to use.

[rabagley]

The thing is, Craftsman power tools are also cheap and fairly crappy, just not quite as cheap as HF. If you want a decent drill press on the cheap, look on craigslist until you find a solid older hunk of iron for cheap.

When I started setting up the garage workshop, I came across an older gentleman selling off his workshop and I picked up a 17" 12-speed floor height drill press with a 1/2 Jacobs keyless chuck and a rotary xy table for $100.

The tricks to craigslist are: be patient, know how to check out what you're looking at, and don't hand over cash until the item can be loaded in your vehicle.

[Gem1950]

Jet drill press

[Rob454]

I have a set of HF hand tools ( sockets and wrenches) in my truck. My good work and home tools are craftsman De walt and klein milwaukee. The cheap set of tools I have it as a simple roadside tool set. if I lose a socket im not gonna cry over it.

[Roccobro]

The thing is, Craftsman power tools are also cheap and fairly crappy, just not quite as cheap as HF. If you want a decent drill press on the cheap, look on craigslist until you find a solid older hunk of iron for cheap.

When I started setting up the garage workshop, I came across an older gentleman selling off his workshop and I picked up a 17" 12-speed floor height drill press with a 1/2 Jacobs keyless chuck and a rotary xy table for $100.

The tricks to craigslist are: be patient, know how to check out what you're looking at, and don't hand over cash until the item can be loaded in your vehicle.

Kinda like this.