Opinions on Drill Press

[Harlan Theaker]

It's finally come to the point where I need to invest in a slightly larger drill press. I've been getting by with a small benchtop unit for quite some time, but it died awhile ago. I've been watching local kijiji/craigslist for some time, but apparently drill presses don't come up too often.

Anyways, I'm wanting to buy a floor standing unit around $400 or so. Here are my choices... just looking for input as to which of the four you would buy.

Ridgid DP1550 - $399 ($50 off this weekend)
http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/s...k=P_PartNumber
Busy Bee CT022N - $355
http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture10?NTITEM=CT022N
General 14" - $309
http://rona.ca/shop/~drill-press-14-...wer-tools_shop
Craftsman 15" - $449 (Found one in classifieds still in box for $300)
http://www.sears.ca/product/craftsma...ress/092927300

So, basically I have these 4 choices. I found the craftsman for sale from the same guy I bought my 22124 tablesaw from. He's holding it for me until tomorrow if interested, so I need to make a decision asap.

Anyways, any input is appreciated. Thanks

[Lance Norris]

Let me add some confusion to your decision. I have the linked Delta and have been happy with it. For woodworking, the table on this Delta is a real help...

http://www.amazon.com/DELTA-17-950L-...6733650&sr=8-1

And it fits you budget

[Denny Rice]

Originally Posted by Harlan Theaker

It's finally come to the point where I need to invest in a slightly larger drill press. I've been getting by with a small benchtop unit for quite some time, but it died awhile ago. I've been watching local kijiji/craigslist for some time, but apparently drill presses don't come up too often.

Anyways, I'm wanting to buy a floor standing unit around $400 or so. Here are my choices... just looking for input as to which of the four you would buy.

Ridgid DP1550 - $399 ($50 off this weekend)
http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/s...k=P_PartNumber
Busy Bee CT022N - $355
http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture10?NTITEM=CT022N
General 14" - $309
http://rona.ca/shop/~drill-press-14-...wer-tools_shop
Craftsman 15" - $449 (Found one in classifieds still in box for $300)
http://www.sears.ca/product/craftsma...ress/092927300

So, basically I have these 4 choices. I found the craftsman for sale from the same guy I bought my 22124 tablesaw from. He's holding it for me until tomorrow if interested, so I need to make a decision asap.

Anyways, any input is appreciated. Thanks

Let me add one to your list:

17" Craftsman floor model (built by Orion)....I have owned this drill press for about 2 years and its worked out real well. I did have a problem with the handle once but Steel City (thats who's parts dept. I got when I called the 1-800 number) replaced all pars needed free of charge. And if I remember right there is not much of a price difference between the 15 and 17 inch floor model.

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi Harlan, as you're aware, the size of the drill press is stated by the diameter of circle it can drill to the center of.

So a 14" drill press can drill a hole 7" from the column.

If you add a fence, lets say 1.5" wide, then you can only drill a hole 5.5" in from the edge.

A 14" drill press is pretty small for woodworking.

I wouldn't go below 17"..............Regards, Rod.

P.S. That's not a General drill press from Rona, it's a special low cost made in Taiwan or China machine, General machines are made in Canada.

[Harlan Theaker]

Originally Posted by Lance Norris

Let me add some confusion to your decision. I have the linked Delta and have been happy with it. For woodworking, the table on this Delta is a real help...

http://www.amazon.com/DELTA-17-950L-...6733650&sr=8-1

And it fits you budget

I would definitely consider this, however, amazon doesn't ship to Canada.