Is there a definitive pillar drill - new or used - that is better than the Bosch PBD40 for the same money?

[PerryGunn]

Which Rohm Supra chuck did you get.l have a Bosch PD40 and was thinking of replacing the chuck.Did you have much difficulty getting the original chuck off.

I used the Röhm Supra 871050 - and, yes, the old chuck wasn't the easiest thing to remove, I fitted a large hex key in the chuck (small end of the 'L' in the chuck) and then a steel tube over the other end for leverage. A couple of taps on the pipe with a hammer plus a lot of sweat and it eventually started to undo.

 

[Nick c]

I used the Röhm Supra 871050 - and, yes, the old chuck wasn't the easiest thing to remove, I fitted a large hex key in the chuck (small end of the 'L' in the chuck) and then a steel tube over the other end for leverage. A couple of taps on the pipe with a hammer plus a lot of sweat and it eventually started to undo.

Okay thanks for the info will have to give it a try.cheers

 

[Mickjay]

JPG, if you decide to buy the Bosch and can wait a few weeks, then buy one in the Amazon Black Friday sale. IIRC,I saved 60-70 pounds last year when I bought one. Apparently, it gets reduced every Black Friday.

I agree, I bought one last year and think it was just under £200. I've been very happy with it.

 

[JoeS]

I like my PBD40 - it feels to me like a solidly made and well thought through machine.

 

[thikone]

I also did use it for a week. And even though I have a bigger drill press now I do consider buying one since it has nice features. Features like digital depth indicator, that it can be rotated 180 degree to drill on bigger pieces. Also it can be used ti drill in steps, clamp head high, start drilling, stop, lower the head and clamp it there, drill further down. Like a very long stroke.

Other options that I have is Proxxon/Dremel with stand - quite good for small things and can be used by children. Woodpecker drill stand with a chuck and its chinese clone - works also great.

What I did not like of PBD40 is noisy motor. It has universal motor like in regular corded hand drill.

The ultimate drill press that I drool about is Teknatool Nova Viking DVR. That basically with similar features but bigger and with induction motor.

 

[Spectric]

Another good secondhand brand is Ajax, solid drill made with real metal.

 

[Delaney]

Korean or Taiwanese is usually fine, steer clear of low end Chinese.

Almost all drills are made by one company, Rexon. They make practically all the drills that come out of the far east.
Different brands badge them different ways and different price points have different spec levels. In spite of this, they all have the same basic body and castings. That’s why the all look the same (casting)
Axminster may have theirs made in Taiwan by a different company but I suspect even they buy the casings from China.

Meddings make theirs in the UK but they are expensive and some older base models are made in China.

Your best bet is to buy the Bosch from a box store and if you din’t like it, send it back.

Buying used industrial equipment is a serious hassle. It’s almost always not as good as you hope (unless you get lucky), likely in bad condition and or takes too long to learn about. People become obsessed with these tools precisely because they take up so much of your time.

If you want to cut netal and wood, a digitally driven VFD drill (variable frequency drive) like the Bosch, is ideal. Saves you changing belts all the time as you change between slow and fast cutting.

This is the point where you can either get on with doing work, or get obsessed with old dirty, used machinery.

 

[Delaney]

Another good secondhand brand is Ajax, solid drill made with real metal.

Ajaz buys Rexon. Unless you’ve got £4k +
Scrap that, £5k +

Woodpecker
Ajaz
Etc.. are all made by Rexon as far as I know.
If it’s under £2k, it’s likely made by Rexon.

 

[Sideways]

Almost all drills are made by one company, Rexon. They make practically all the drills that come out of the far east.
.....
This is the point where you can either get on with doing work, or get obsessed with old dirty, used machinery.

There are some things I know to be wrong in this little list, others I believe to be wrong.
Do you have any reference sources to support any of it ?

 

[Spectric]

Ajax are a very old British brand that was very common when we had a manufacturing industry, I got mine second hand for £80, bench version with wind up / down table and now on a foot switch.

 

[Spectric]

Saves you changing belts all the time as you change between slow and fast cutting.

How often do you change the speed ? 95% of the time I am on a speed for smaller drill sizes and on the very odd occassion I have needed to use a larger drill at a slow speed it is easy to change the belt position.

or get obsessed with old dirty, used machinery

Some of these machines can be more than sixty years old and still going strong, we do not make them like this anymore because they lasted too long.

 

[Delaney]

There are some things I know to be wrong in this little list, others I believe to be wrong.
Do you have any reference sources to support any of it ?

Which bits are wrong? That would help with us determining which bits are right

 

[Richard_C]

I've had the Bosch for a year or so, really happy with it for my DIY use. Bit of chuck run out but I use brad point bits and it goes where I want. I like the faff free way it works, no belts to move, easy to adjust position on the column, the clamp is good, decent stroke. I don't find the operating wheel a problem. Mine is mounted on a three sided 2x2 frame on a bench, open at the front so you can get a hand in, because you WILL drop a small drill bit through the hole one day.

 

[Delaney]

I've had the Bosch for a year or so, really happy with it for my DIY use. Bit of chuck run out but I use brad point bits and it goes where I want. I like the faff free way it works, no belts to move, easy to adjust position on the column, the clamp is good, decent stroke. I don't find the operating wheel a problem. Mine is mounted on a three sided 2x2 frame on a bench, open at the front so you can get a hand in, because you WILL drop a small drill bit through the hole one day.

I think if Bosch painted it blue and upgrade some parts, they could sell it for £1K all day.
Never been sure why they haven’t? Other than they don't make them and the company that does, isn't interested?
Either way they must have looked at the costs and market and said ‘nein’

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Some of these machines can be more than sixty years old and still going strong, we do not make them like this anymore because they lasted too long.

My Meddings carries a plate stating "Property of Bush Radio Ltd". Bush ceased as a single entity in 1962.

 

[PerryGunn]

If anyone wants to replace the wheel on the pdb40 with a 3-spoker, it appears that Amazon now sell one made by Ottertools

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BRY4QYWF/

 

[Mickjay]

The Bosch is currently at £231.99 on Amazon.

 

[jetsetwilly]

Get the Bosch, I know lots of people with it and all are happy. I have an old Meddings and for 10yrs have planned to service the quill which has a ton of runout. I'd do the same again, but this time I'd make sure I could examine it before buying. If you get the old iron bug you can do that too, but in the meantime you can crack on with drilling holes in things.