Drill press purchase

[Star1pup]

I have one of those bench drill presses and the distance between the bit and the table is always short no matter how I move the table.  I've swung the table all the way out and stacked wood to drill on, but that is not very accurate.  I've been thinking about a floor model, which should give me almost infinite distance between the table & bit.  Being retired and with my mutual funds going down I don't have big bucks to spend.  Besides it would only be used ocassionally.  Has anyone used one of the less expensive models such as Harbor Freight?

[GRIMJIM]

We have a harbor freight at work and if you can spend a little more money get something better.  We also have a delta but that will probably be out of your price range. I have a craftsman in my garage and it works fine.

Maybe try Jet    http://woodworking.jettools.com/Results.aspx?cat=333194

 or Grizzly     http://grizzly.com/products/category.aspx?key=380000

[mirage1988]

I have a rigid (home depot brand) floor model that works well. It vibrates a bit more than a higher priced unit but has enough torque to spin my 9 bit head for drilling shelf pin holes in cabinet sides.

[john keyes]

I bought a drill press from a dude for forty bucks, it pretty much rules but all the chucks (for 3/8 drills) I have at the house wont fit.  The hole that the chuck fits into is smaller on the drill press and the pinion gear on the chucks I have is too small.

is it that the drill press is 1/2" and I need a chuck for that?

[WD45]

It sounds like you have a 1/2 inch chuck. I will say this though.. not all 3/8's chucks are a standard key size especially on older models.