I'm going to head up to HD this weekend to pick me up a drill press. I have been using the hand drill for all my drilling thus far and would like to upgrade for the long winter of drilling ahead. I've noticed that they have different sizes, 8"or 10". What do you guys recomend that is a good tool but won't kill the wallet. Thanks, PB

I have an 8 and wish that I had the 10. The bigger the better I have to turn the head on mine and clamp down the base when I want to drill through deeper plugs. :scream:

I like a Bridgeport. :bl:

I'd like to have a Bridgeport myself....!

I use the small Delta Shop Master from Lowes. They had them onsale last Christmas for 20% off. The final price was (don't laugh) $69.90. Hey it's a small machine but I drill my through holes on the lathe so the drill press does eye and hook holes. I had worked out fine. I will always have it even if I go to a larger machine later.

Like Charleston, i drill on the lathe, and have a 9in craftsman for belly holes etc.
You can get them on sale for $99.

I like a Bridgeport. :bl:

P. can ya loan me a dime.:huh: :D

I have the Ryobi. Sucker is loud but for just doing eye holes and belly hole it is fine for now.

:rotfl: I have the Sears 10" and do all that is needed on plugs. Through drilling is done on the lathe! :rotfl:

Is their a reason why everyone likes the lathe for through drilling?

Ease of drilling and acuracy -- look through the old threads and I am sure you will find the method explained in detail. When drilling on the lathe you have very few miss-drilled plugs.
Go to the seach section and do a search for drilling on the lathe and you will get more information that can help you decide. :eyes:

i have the 10 and wish i had the 12

just as an fyi a 10" drill press can not drill a 10" hole. It just means there is 10" clearance from the chuck to the base.

My 10" press has a drop of about 2 1/2 inches. There are some ways to set it up so that you can drill plugs longer than 10" but the deepest hole I can drill is 2 1/2".

I basically drill in from each end the 2.5 and then finish by hand. Last winter there was a good thread (I think by capesam) that explained a way to set up a jig with a dowel center one the base of the the drill press that uses a dowel center to allow you to do thru drilling.

if I had to do it over again I'd buy a BIGGGGGG drill press.

aways look in the ad's...get a biggun...they seem to sell cheap.

aways look in the ad's...get a biggun...they seem to sell cheap.

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