Which cheap Pillar Drill

[Creeky]

Hi all!,
Right, be gentle - first post.....
As Xmas has past I thought I would get a new pillar drill as my bench press is an very cheap one and jams every time I drill a hole! I have not got much of a budget £150-£170 max. I understand this will not get the best quality but really can't afford any more, plus it will only have occasional use.
I have come across these two:
Axminster AWFSRD550 Price £177
Or
Draper GD16/16CF Sale price £157 at Tooled Up

The Axminster does have better specs, so is that the on e to go for and does anyone have any experience of this?

Had a quick search for a second hand drill on ebay with nothing much in my price range.

Thanks in advance

Creeky[/url]

 

[Steve Maskery]

Hello Creeky
Welcome to the forum.

With that kind of budget you can get a Top-Quality drill press, it's just that it won't be new. Last year I bought a beautiful Meddings, c1963. I had already had new bearings and I replaced the switch for an NVR and filled the holes drilled into the table. I also gave it a paint job.

The drill cost me 160, which was a bit TT TBH, and I spent a tenner on a switch and another on some paint.

I now have a fantastic machine. The only thing I miss about my NuTools is the rack & pinion table, this is a dead lift. A bit of a pain, but I can live with it for the general accuracy.

I admit that it does require a bit of patience for the right machine to come along, though.


Cheers
Steve

 

[mailee]

I have the Draper machine and bought it second hand on E-bay for £70. It is a good machine but could occasionally do with a little more power. HTH. :wink:

 

[Creeky]

Thanks for the reply, when have you had problems with the power? I take it you were drilling big holes? Or does it just jam if I were to abuse it

Thanks again

Dan

 

[Creeky]

Steve,
I must apologize, as I completely missed your post for some reason.
I agree with your opinion, It would be best if I took that root, as I have done the same with the Mellor Lathe I purchased a few months ago. Trouble is most of the good machines have 3 phase, which I do not. I could change the motor to single phase if I can get within budget.

I have seen a Startrite on the bay so will look in to the cost of a decent motor.

Good idea though, Thanks

Creeky

 

[DaveL]

I have seen a Startrite on the bay so will look in to the cost of a decent motor.

Check etd-trading on ebay, not much currently listed but I bought a motor from them for the second hand pillar drill I got from ebay.

 

[mailee]

Well Creeky, it was only when I have been drilling metal or using very large diameter bits. I can't fault the machine otherwise.

 

[Creeky]

Thanks to both of you. I think I like the idea of buying secondhand now. will check out ebay for the motor, Cheers.


Keep up the good work, you guys are very helpful. Everytime I try to reply to one post, another one pops up. Cheers!

Creeky

 

[Mike Wingate]

I bought a Clarke 16 speed floor standing Metalworker from Tool Mart over 25 years ago. Rack and pinion cast iron table, that is still going strong. I use it with sanding drums that probably does the bearings no good, as well as the Wagner Safety planer. No problems. We get through at least one Axminster drill a year at school. Motors, rack and pinion, new handles.

 

[misterfish]

Go for a used bargain. I got my single phase Fobco Star drill off Ebay for £50. A rock solid piece of old British engineering, The only downside with the purchase is that the machine needed a good clean.

Be aware that a decent drill is heavy - mine is a 2 person lift!

Misterfish

 

[Creeky]

Thanks Misterfish, Think you guys are right, have found a couple now that I am interested in.
I will probably need to pick this thing up. are they easy to disemble? I have an estate car, so would like to take the head and foot off so it will fit in the boot, or is this a silly idea?!

 

[Steve Maskery]

No, that's a very sensible idea. It may be a two-man job.
S

 

[Creeky]

Thanks, Will post back when I get one to let you know how I get on and for future reference.

Regards

Creeky

 

[Tenko]

I bought the cheap Power Craft one from Aldi, about 30 quid. I think its fantastic, drills 90 degrees dead on. Bought a set of Forstner drills on Ebay and cut all the rebates for the two mortice locks I fit on the garage doors. The stuff I've done in the garage with that pillar drill in the last month is amasing. I made 2 sanding tables and bought a set of sanding drums of Ebay, half inch up to 2 inch and use them to sand my scroll saw experiments, they are spot on. If it only last another week I've had my money out of it.

Mick.

 

[Creeky]

Thanks Tenko,

Just one more question:
Steve (or anyone else that has and old meddings, startrite): Do you know whats involved in removing the head and foot from the drill? Are they just bolted to the pillar?

Thanks

 

[Steve Maskery]

Yes. The casting is machined to be a good fit and then a couple of bolts clamp it up into the pillar. All very simple and straightforward, if a little heavy.
S