I've decided it's time to buy a drill press- I've hunted around quite a lot but can't seem to find one I like the look of.

I guess the problem is that I'm used to the big old college stuff but the current stuff seems to be absolute rubbish.

I've tried a range of brands but essentially they all the seem to be the same- in fact in a lot of cases they *are* the same- with the handles and casings etc. be so near identical I presume they all buy from the same supplier!

Have just been looking at Machine Mart but even the most expensive ones (they're all Clarke so perhaps that explains it!) don't seem very good.

There's also issues with chuck size and drill speed. How many speeds are actually useful and what sort of maximum speed is desirable?

For Locost and other hobbyist use is anything other than a £50 job from B&Q worthhaving?

Any info greatfully received!

Thanks,

James

Whatever you buy, make sure you've got a decent range of low speeds - you'll need these for large-diameter holes in steel.

Minimum of 150 - 250 rpm is good (or anything around there)

DJ

have you thought of asking around at local engineering workshops etc? i live next to a haulage workshop and they have some very good pillar drills with lots of low speed settings!

Ask at some of these to see where they get theirs from and they try second hand items! if they are used in engineering workshops they are going to be very good quality and cheap.

James

Look in your yellow pages for used machine tool dealers...you may be pleasantly surprised...often they have decent stuff at less than auction price.

Also, I agree that a nice low speed is a must...I recently bought a small drill press (I already have a biggish one. .....ooer missus) for only $40 (about 25 quid) and it is really quite good...trouble is minimum speed is 760...which means small holes only in steel.

i got mine from wickes about 10 years ago and its still going strong despite being made in china,only got 1/2" chuck but goes slow enuf for me.

I bought a cheap one from screwfix. It's only 1/2" but it's been really useful in the 3 years I've had it. It drills round holes, unlike the hand drill where they always seem to come out triangular. Best investment was a vice clamp to fasten stuff to the plate while drilling. I just used grips at first. A nice floor mounted one would be great but I can't justify that.

yours, Pete

Bought my cheapie from B & Q, and wish I hadn't!!

Bought my cheapie from B & Q, 3 years trouble free except chuck key is very low quality, bought a new one for 2.99.

James,

Try http://www.graham-engineering.co.uk/

They are well known in the model engineering world. They sell new & second-hand kit, plus all sorts of tooling. Some of their kit is cheap and nasty, but a lot is good "professional grade" stuff.

Worth a visit, if you're within range of their shop. A decent 2nd-hand pillar drill might be just what you need - but watch out for the weight, as a "real workshop" grade pillar drill is King Heavy. 8-)

David

James, U2U Hicost, he knows a local company that sell secondhand/reconed ex engineering company gear, may be what you're after.

When I was buying I checked out the Nu-tool and Draper models in B&Q - they seemed to be identical, Chinese-made machines with different paint jobs.

I ended up buying a better-made machine from Rexon which I'm very happy with, and it was only a few quid more.

When you're inspecting the drill, a quick test is to wind the drilling head down as far as it will go and grasp the chuck, then try rocking it backwards and forwards. There's an alarming amount of play on the cheaper makes.

If you're in the market for a proper machine you could have a look at Trade Sales Direct or G and M Tools.

Cheers,

Eddy

Screwfix £39.99 with a 3 year warranty,
good enough for what we need.

I've had it 18 months and probably drilled things i shouldnt have with it,still going strong and i never left the house to buy it which is a bonus.