Adequate drill press specs

[muddstopper]

I bought one of those chicago, central, or something another, floor model presses several years ago. Drill run out was terrible. Changed chucks fiddled with it, with and finally sold it. found a craftman bench model 1/2 in chuck, 20 years ago and that is still my go to press for most of my shop work. Still a little wobble in the bit, but nothing like the cheap floor model. About 5 or 6 years ago I was in a sears store and they had a large floor model, 5/8 chuck, on closeout. Bought it at about half price because some of the knobs and such where missing. Off the top of my head, I cant remember if either press is 16 or 12 speed, I think both spin 200 or 250 at low speed, but I regularly drill half inch holes with both drills. Using hole saws, I have drilled 4in holes in 1 in steel. I can stall either drill using large hole saws, but with plenty of cutting oil and light steady pressure, you can drill large holes without burning up the bits. Pilot holes help a bunch. I recently drilled 8-2.5 inch holes in 1 inch thick steel using a hole saw on the floor model. I had the bench top press set up to drill the 1/4 in pilot holes and then just mvoes the pices over to the floor model for the hole saw. Hole saw still cuts like new after 8 holes.

 

[Sodo]

I would guess that a press should probably be able to drill a half inch hole in 3/4" thick mild steel.

This size hole is EASY, I do it all the time with a handheld 18V battery drill motor. Any drill press that has a 1/2" chuck will work fine. I have a 1/3HP Delta that I've use a lot (over 20 years). It has made LOADS of stuff. I would NOT call it "inadequate". OTOH I wouldn't buy less than 1/3HP. Problem is at 1/3HP you can get into the "junk" range pretty easily. Starting at 1/2hp or more they often have more 'speeds' to choose from, and more extension. By 3/4HP they are way overkill for the capability you've specified. Bigger is better if you have the space for it, and floor-standing is good too.

Cheap ones have less extension. My 1/3HP Delta has 2.5 inches which is not very much, but really how often do you need more than an inch? Also feel the 'slop' or the drill point wobble in the bearing and in the stroke while extended all the way down. Tighter is obviously better, but if you need accuracy you can always start drilling at the TOP of the stroke.

Other things to look for are TABLE angle adjustments. And does the table include a crank to go up and down? This up/down handcrank is really handy, worth a few bucks. It's better to have a handcrank for the table than to have lots of "extension". A light is also handy.

 

[4570Man]

You might drill a 3/4 hole in mild steel using a bunch of smaller pilot holes with a handheld drill, but you're not going to do it with one pilot hole and pull out chips like this.

 

[Sodo]

True, and not one-handed with a beer in the other hand if chips are the goal.

The OP composed a pretty specific sizing question and the focus has strayed from that. I got that he was contemplating a sensible purchase for his needs, didn't see competition as a goal. 1/2" hole in 3/4 thick is an easy hole, one pilot hole is efficient, usually BOTH faster & more accurate than without.

Agreed 3/4 hole is a lot more difficult but OP didn't ask that. When using handheld I drill 3/4 with a holesaw. I'm continually amazed how many holes one holesaw can drill, I used to think they were almost one-time use. I have a 3/4" holesaw that must have drilled 30 holes by now and it's still good as new. And it was only $7 (Lennox).

 

[muddstopper]

I bought a set of small angular cutters at a tool sale. I think it goes from 3/8 to 7/8. Anyways, for small holes, you cant beat them with a bit or a hole saw, and they cut round holes. Not sure how thick the meatl you can drill thru, pretty sure 1/2 isnt a problem. Just dont try to use them in a hand held drill.

 

[Sodo]

I bought a set of small angular cutters at a tool sale.

Cool I've always wanted to drill around a corner!:thumbsup:

I know you meant to write annular. But you're wrong about the hand drill - I use annular cutters all the time with a hand drill. In fact its much more efficient for battery drills because you don't have to shred the entire plug into chips. My favorite kit is the "Blair Rotabroach". Search it on Amazon, theres a $70 kit and a $170 kit from 1/4 to 3/4". They drill about 1/4" deep. You can go to about 1/2" if you drill from both sides. Super-accurate round holes!

 

[downsizingnow48]

I use these Champion hole cutters in drill press and also hand held. They are good for up to 1" thick steel.

I have used them up to 2" dia in mild steel with the 1/3 hp Duro that I mentioned previously. But the Duro is happier with 1" dia or less.

OK we have discussed every option from handheld cordless to 1 ton milling machines and lots in between. I would be interested to know what the OP thinks at this point.

 

[CADplans]

Using a proper coolant/lubricant can increase a drill press capacity >30%

 

[R W]

Check out PracTool | Home

 

[muddstopper]

Cool I've always wanted to drill around a corner!:thumbsup:

I know you meant to write annular. But you're wrong about the hand drill - I use annular cutters all the time with a hand drill. In fact its much more efficient for battery drills because you don't have to shred the entire plug into chips. My favorite kit is the "Blair Rotabroach". Search it on Amazon, theres a $70 kit and a $170 kit from 1/4 to 3/4". They drill about 1/4" deep. You can go to about 1/2" if you drill from both sides. Super-accurate round holes!

Angular, that explains how they got that hole way back there in the corner. LOL Anyways, I too have used them in a hand drill, but a hand drill is also how I broke the center pin. Annular cutter will take a bite and jump sideways if you get too aggressive with a hand drill. Yea it can be done, but they work better in a drill press. The cutters I have are souix tools brand, not sure how they compare to other brands out there. On another note, I also have some larger annular cutters in the 1-1 1/2 in size. they are meant to be used in a broach and have a 5/8 shank. The shank is round with a flat side but will chuck up nicely in my floor model drill press. You dont have the advantage of having a center pin, but if everything is clamped tight, you can drill with them. Been planning on buying one of the rotabroach adapters for a drill press, just havent gotten around to it.