Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Jan 14, 2006 04:58pm | #1

   Metal workers need a variety of speeds on their drill presses. Most woodworkers only need two or three, I use one 90% of the time.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

2. 
   BG | Jan 14, 2006 05:58pm | #2

   myhomereno,
   I only change speeds for Fostner bits. Perhaps they would be a good reference for you..ie. how many speeds, and does the speed match the bit requirement.

3. 
   forestgirl | Jan 15, 2006 01:53am | #3

   Here's a handy chart.  Seems like you could probably get by with 6.  Generally, I also change speeds mostly for Fortsner drilling.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   sailalex | Feb 05, 2006 04:46pm | #6

   Thanks for posting the chart; handy!

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 06, 2006 07:18am | #7

   You're welcome.  I should use it more often -- tend to get lazy about moving that belt around.  However, the drill press is now in a new, easier-to-access location, so am going to try and be a little more selective about speeds. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

4. 
   tangomike | Jan 15, 2006 02:13am | #4

   If you are looking at new drill presses you could consider a variable speed machine, in which case the whole issue of number of speeds just goes away. And to echo a previous comment, woodworking doesn't require more than 3-4, but it is important to get one that has a sufficient low speed for forstner bits.

1. 
   myhomereno | Feb 04, 2006 09:53pm | #5

   Finally I made up my mind and went to the local Tool store (Summit Tools) and looked at a 16 1/2" Delta 17965 drill press. It was on sale for $450 CAN. While I looked around I saw a Delta variable speed 17990X, one of the X5 modells, for $730 CAN. The sales guy told me about a Delta rebate program (Beltsander, Router or $100CAN cash back) and I was convinced to buy this drill press.
   I picked it up last night and this weekend is assembly time. Hopefully I get the time today to go out and pick up a mobil base for it. I saw in the local paper a used HTC base for sale, maybe I will have a look at it.