I have always said that drill press manufacturers cater to the metal working industry and ignore the needs of the woodworker. Some time ago you printed a letter of mine to that effect in one of your issues. I was browsing through some back issues yesterday and noted an article in the February 2006 issue entitled “Get More From Your Drill Press”. Furthermore, the article headlined, “The right bits, jigs, and techniques turn a metalworking tool into a versatile machine for woodworking”. I guess that further makes my point.
I have a Shopsmith that is probably 50 years old. Since I now have dedicated tools for specific purposes I use it almost exclusively as a drill press. It has nearly all the features that are included in the article containing the statement “Auxiliary table is a must”. My Shopsmith makes a fine drill press using its existing table. Why haven’t the drill press manufacturers provided these features for the woodworker? It looks like there would be a market opportunity for them.
Replies
Probably for the same reason the table saw manufacturers haven't added any new features in 50 years. Consumers aren't screaming for new features, and the margins on tools are too thin to bother investing in R&D.
I think Delta has made an effort to satisfy WWers. Have you looked at their 17-950? Lowe's stocks it where I live. Tell us how it compares to your Shopsmith. To my chagrin, I had just set up a new 17-965 when I learned of the existence of the 17-950. The 17-965 is a better press, but it is not for WWing. The bright side of my story is that I got such a bargain on the 17-965.
Cadiddlehopper
You might want to check out the new Powermatic PM2800 at
http://www.powermatic.com/wood
It at least looks like someone is trying.
Jack
Kobler ,
Try a Radial Head drill press , these are true wwing drill presses .
It's a very versatile tool .
Drill to the center of a 30 "piece , drill angled holes for chair construction and such .
I have a 70s vintage Rockwell Delta bench top , it's not as stout as floor models , smaller diameter column , lighter .
dusty
Look carefully before you buy a radial, I've never seen a consumer grade one yet that did not have an unacceptable amount of play and flex.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
I think the amount of play and flex is insignificant when working wood , as opposed to metals . As I stated the Radials are not as stout for sure . Do you use one ? mine works great and out of 3 drill presses I use it for every day misc use .
dusty
I tried a few out, some new some used, for me anyway the play was too much. I use some pretty good sized forstner bits and rosette cutters and a 17 incher with a beefy column was a better fit for my woodworking. I mix a bit of metal working in, for jigs fixtures and things of that nature. I'd love to have the big swing but the radials that were stout enough for me were big bucks. A three inch two wing rosette cutter or a four inch forstner can make a mess in a hurry if you have much flex.
Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
I have a Ryobi drill press designed for woodworking but I don't know if they are still in production. It is variable speed with a large sliding and tilting table.
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