Hey fellow woodworkers! I'm venturing into a side gig where I'll be producing around 1000 wooden fixtures each week. My primary task will involve drilling 3.5" holes through 2"x4" cedar boards. I'm searching for a durable drill press that can handle this workload without breaking the bank—ideally under $6000. I'm looking for a single-phase floor drill press with enough horsepower to efficiently use an auger bit for that size hole. I've found a Baileigh 2hp model priced around $1700 and a Grizzly 2hp for about $2700. Are either of these options worth considering? I've heard there's some concern about Grizzly's quality since their move to China, and Jet's options are all above $5000. Do I need at least 2hp, or could I manage with 1hp? I really don't want to end up with an underpowered machine.
3 Answers
Going second-hand is a smart move. You can often find solid vintage tools that you can refurbish cheaply, giving you a tool that might last a lifetime, unlike many modern electronic machines.
If you're looking at used drill presses, consider older models from the 70s made in Taiwan. They’re usually very sturdy and straightforward to maintain. Personally, I love my 1950s Delta, and I’ve put less than $500 into it, including a $200 motor from Amazon. It’s perfect for what I throw at it!
You definitely need at least 2hp for drilling those 3.5" holes efficiently. Excess wear on the spindle can make the drilling process tough with larger bits. What you'll be making sounds interesting! I’m curious about the dimensions since they leave very little margin. I’d recommend looking into forstner bits for clean holes without the hassle of plugs.
I’ve had no issues running even larger forstner bits on my 1hp, especially with soft woods like cedar, so I’d say you could possibly save some bucks there!
Yeah, we’re trying to avoid using hole saws or annular cutters because dealing with plugs would slow us down significantly. We're focusing on maintaining precision throughout the production.