So I'm looking at geting a drill press pretty soon...Iv'e been looking at floor units but I found a good benchtop unit...it's an older Rexon (I think), 3/4 hp motor, table like you might find on a floor unit, r&p table mechanism, 12 speed, ect.

I haven't really been thinking about benchtop presses but with one of these I could build or buy it it's own bench, or just set it on a rollaway toolbox or something, to let me use the storage space below it, which would have been wasted with a floor press. I'm kinda cramped for shop space as it is, so that would be a plus.

So, question is, do any of ya'll with a floor type drill press ever actually lower the table down past about a foot or so below the chuck?

Any of you guys with a good benchtop press ever find limitations in working with it that you wouldn't have with a floor model?

Seems like kind of a stupid question, but I'm just trying to make sure that I'm not missing anything before I lay down the cash. Thanks guys.

i have a floor model and i can think of maybe 1-2 times i have ever lowered it past about a foot. if space is your problem i would say this would be a good buy but also depends on what kinda work your going to want to do in the future.

I just got done drilling and tapping holes in the rear face of a T18 tranny case... Couldn't have done that on any bench press I've seen...

I'd say go with a good floor stander if you can. You may not need the extra capacity often, but when you do......

Sounds like a pretty good deal on a drill press.

You could always just substitute the tube that holds it up for a longer one - shouldn't be rocket science...

You could always just substitute the tube that holds it up for a longer one - shouldn't be rocket science...

Damn good idea.

I lucked out and found a 50's floor model Rockwell at a used machinery dealer for dirt cheap. CrustyJeep is right, you will find yourself using it for a lot more than just a drill press. I mounted a 6" swivel vise to the table, and use it for everything from welding to swapping ujonts.

http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/files/murph/20050225061851_drillvise1.JPG

Andy

You can get pretty good deals on old industrial presses. Normally costs you another $150 or so to get them running off single phase power. The nice thing about a lot of the heavy industrial units is that usually both the table and the spindle move up and down. Makes it easy to use a workbench as a table extension and still have some adjustment. The downside is that they are heavy, I think mine is 500 lbs.

So I'm looking at geting a drill press pretty soon...Iv'e been looking at floor units but I found a good benchtop unit...it's an older Rexon (I think), 3/4 hp motor, table like you might find on a floor unit, r&p table mechanism, 12 speed, ect.

I haven't really been thinking about benchtop presses but with one of these I could build or buy it it's own bench, or just set it on a rollaway toolbox or something, to let me use the storage space below it, which would have been wasted with a floor press. I'm kinda cramped for shop space as it is, so that would be a plus.

So, question is, do any of ya'll with a floor type drill press ever actually lower the table down past about a foot or so below the chuck?

Any of you guys with a good benchtop press ever find limitations in working with it that you wouldn't have with a floor model?

Seems like kind of a stupid question, but I'm just trying to make sure that I'm not missing anything before I lay down the cash. Thanks guys.


Cant really comment about the floor vs. bench, Im still vacillating on that myself. Will say that its easier if one doesnt have to lift large parts above knee level though. On used hardware I would definatly check the condition of the chuck for wear on the jaws and capacity along with confirming that the spindle bearings dont have too much runout at full extension. Jaw wear can be a PITA with the big (bigger than 5/8) bits not staying locked and with the 1/8 and smaller ones running out excessively. Ditto the problem with spindle runout for the small stuff. Replacing a chuck is not a biggie particularly, doing spindle bearings can get expensive and wears on ones patience...

D.

So I'm looking at geting a drill press pretty soon...Iv'e been looking at floor units but I found a good benchtop unit...it's an older Rexon (I think), 3/4 hp motor, table like you might find on a floor unit, r&p table mechanism, 12 speed, ect.

I haven't really been thinking about benchtop presses but with one of these I could build or buy it it's own bench, or just set it on a rollaway toolbox or something, to let me use the storage space below it, which would have been wasted with a floor press. I'm kinda cramped for shop space as it is, so that would be a plus.

So, question is, do any of ya'll with a floor type drill press ever actually lower the table down past about a foot or so below the chuck?

Any of you guys with a good benchtop press ever find limitations in working with it that you wouldn't have with a floor model?

Seems like kind of a stupid question, but I'm just trying to make sure that I'm not missing anything before I lay down the cash. Thanks guys.

well sometimes teh best thing is to hve BOTH! :D first of all, I wouldn't mount it on top of a rollaway! :eek: it will be waaay too top-heavy and tip over at some time when pushed around..

I have three full-sized drill-press's, but one was shortened and mounted to a ~2' round by 3/4" thick slab of plate, which has threaded holed to enable attachment of vices etc...than bolted to the big ass benchtop.
I find it to be wonderfull as it can handle much more than any cheapie $200 or less tabletop, and if I need more will just use one of the floor-mount ones.

Paul

All good Points, I think I'm gonna try to stop by there tonight and have a good look at it...it's a buddy of mine's dad that has it. Says he had the motor rebuilt a couple of years ago but never put it back on.

On used hardware I would definatly check the condition of the chuck for wear on the jaws and capacity along with confirming that the spindle bearings dont have too much runout at full extension. D.

Iv'e read a little about this, I wouldn't mind replaceing the chuck if needed but your'e right about me wanting to stay away from the bearings. I thought about using a dial indicator to check the runout, would that be a good way to go about it or is it just one of those "see if it'll wiggle" sorta things? What's an acceptable number for runout?


You could always just substitute the tube that holds it up for a longer one - shouldn't be rocket science...

yep, thought about doing this but I'm not sure how to make it work with the rack and pinion table mechanism...might be worth just keeping a piece of the right size material leaned up in a corner for when I do need it.


Something else, I was looking thru some old woodworking mags last night in my quest for drill press knowlede, most of it was just applicable to woodworking. But, I did come accross a picture of a guy drilling some holes into the top of a piece of furniture with a bench top press. He had rotated the head 90 degrees on the column and mounted the press on the very edge of the top of his work bench. The piece he was drilling was sitting on top of a make shift platform to put it at the right height. Of course this would be a huge pain compared to using a floor press but for the one or two times I might ever have to do it, it would probably be all right.

I really like the idea of a chest right below the press for bits, holesaws, clamps, cutting fluid and so on...

good stuff guys, thanks

well sometimes teh best thing is to hve BOTH!

That's what I'm looking into right now. I've got a floor model right now, and ya know I don't think I've ever lowered the table much over a foot below the bit *yet,* but it's nice to have the option.

Anyhow, I'd like to get a cheaper bench unit and use it for pilot holes and the like, just leave it set somewhere around, oh say 1500rpm. Then leave the big floor press set at 150 for bits 1/2" and larger.

Myself I would rather the extra capability of the floor model. Like said above you never know when you gonna need it.

But at the same time, I am going milling machine instead of a normal floor standing drill press. Does the same job as a drill press but at the same time has the capability to do the milling work as well.

All good Points, I think I'm gonna try to stop by there tonight and have a good look at it...it's a buddy of mine's dad that has it. Says he had the motor rebuilt a couple of years ago but never put it back on.

Iv'e read a little about this, I wouldn't mind replaceing the chuck if needed but your'e right about me wanting to stay away from the bearings. I thought about using a dial indicator to check the runout, would that be a good way to go about it or is it just one of those "see if it'll wiggle" sorta things? What's an acceptable number for runout?


Depends on what you're up to. I run the range between #72 and 1" bits. The itty bitties are better off with a pin vise-minature chuck in the main chuck so one can get a better "feel" for feed rates which also means the main chuck jaws need to be soild and concentric with the bearings. Runout needs to be in the order of .0005" max. That said its an unusual requirement for a press...

For general purpose "used" stuff, if the chuck can handle a 1/16" bit without it falling out it really doesn't need replacement. If you plan on running big bits better off with .002 max the bearings really should be replaced is my opinion.

D.

I bought a big clausing radial drill. weighs around 2k or so.