It looks like I’m getting a benchtop drill press for Christmas (or at least the funds to buy one), and I’d like to get some opinions of which brand and model the whistlemakers on the board would recommend. Here are the limitations:
What would you recommend and why?
I got a little Delta at Home Depot, and it works just fine. The table cranks up and down easily, and also swings completely out of the way. It also has a gooseneck work light which is very handy. I use the press for drilling fingerholes, re-reaming whistle tubes which have shrunk during the “resting” phase (which is why swinging the table out of the way easily is handy), and sometimes sanding the bores using a slotted wooden dowel.It only cost about $100.
I have the same model as Paul.
It seems like a decent machine. There are lots of similar benchtop drill presses on the market, all made in China, as is the Delta.
Best wishes,
Jerry
I too purchased a Delta after trying all the drill presses in 2 different large hardware stores. I chose it especially because it didn’t wobble. I haven’t had a problem yet, find it easy to use and inexpensive.
All the best!
Sandy
I also have a Delta. I had to replace the chuck after 2 years - but not all whistlemakers drill 3/64th in. holes and tap them with #0-80 screws for keys. A more accurate chuck is need for that.
The only drawback is that I had wished that it went a little slower for drilling the 7/16" holes in brass or Nickel-Silver for Low-D’s. My solution now is to use my new mini mill from Homier http://www.homier.com/default.asp?dpt=1&cat=11&page=detail&sku=03947 It’s variable speed.
You need to get a decent vee block, there’s many ways to do this. I can post photos of it if interested in seeing how to make one.
Wow, thanks for all of the responses. I’ve been leaning towards a delta, although Lowes has carries a Tradesman brand that I’m not familiar with. At any rate, I’ll see iwhat’s what and how much Mrs. Claws puts in toward it, and will make a decision there.
One that I was looking at pretty hard is the DELTA DP 350. That variable speed crank on the front looks like it would be very handy. It also has a longer quill stroke than most of the other benchtops that I’ve looked at (3 1/4").
Maybe it will be on sale after Christmas.
If you’re after a drill press specifically for fingerholes in production whistles, it may be that you are looking for the wrong machine. My drill press is used these days only in one off situations, prototypes, patterns and the like, what I’m doing instead is using an etching pantograph to mill them. The days of off-round holes in aluminium are gone, so is time spent deburring. Quick, crisp round holes are the result of the switch. The machine is also excellent for thin walled brass and wood.