I have been in the market for a new drill press for some time.  Until recently, I have been using the old Shop smith for the drill press.  I wanted a full height version .vs. a bench top. I had a bench top a long time ago, but was never really satisfied.  I had been looking at the Delta 16 ½ drill press until I went to the St. Louis Wood working show a couple of weeks ago. At the show was a display of Fisch tools.  The salesman discussed a drill press that was a new addition to their line up. I immediately liked what I saw.  <!—-><!—-> <!—->

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The features I liked: <!—-><!—->

• The table:<!—-><!—->
• • Large size 13” x 14”<!—-> <!—->
  • Square with tapped holes in each corner<!—-> <!—->
  • Very flat. Using a machinist’s edge only .0015 off at one corner. I work with wood, so I don’t see how that will make a big difference.  <!—-><!—->
  • Quick tilt mechanism. It has positive stops at 0, 45 (both sides), and 90.  Its very smooth action. I checked the table to the quill with a set of machinist’s squares and a 45. Both were dead on. I have not seen a quick positive stop before.   <!—-> <!—->
• Lift Mechanism:<!—-><!—->
• • Very smooth on the raising and lowering<!—-> <!—->
  • Metal spring loaded locking mechanism that locks the table to the column <!—-><!—->
  • Easily rotates the table out of the way if you need to<!—-> <!—->
• Quill: <!—-><!—->
• • The smoothest of the drill presses I have tried. I really liked that if I let go of the handles it would not break my knuckles.  <!—-> <!—->
  • The quill lock has a groove that gives it a flat place for the quill lock to byte. Once I had it locked down, it held great <!—-> <!—->
  • The handles on the Quill are 10” long. It made it very easy to get good leverage. <!—-><!—->
• The chuck:<!—-><!—->
• • It has a taper that slides into the quill shaft. <!—-> <!—->
  • The chuck is 5/8 and nice quality. Very smooth action. <!—-> <!—->
  • The run out on the chuck was .002.  I’m tried several bits to test this, and a few router bits. I assumed they would be pretty strait.  I don’t know if .002 is way off or not. I don’t think it will matter in wood anyway. <!—-><!—->
• The best of the rest:<!—-><!—->
• • The motor is 3/4hp at 1750 rpm.  I tried a 2 1/8” fortneser bit at 215 and cherry, and no burns, and no bogging. I also did a lot of spiral brad point bits, and no issues at all. No grunts or groans.  <!—-> <!—->
  • The dept stop is solid and I had no variations over a bunch of holes. <!—-><!—->
  • The fit and finish was excellent. <!—-> <!—->

The only issues I found<!—-><!—->

• Three plastic parts, the quill stop handle (same on the Delta), the cover of the electrical switch, and the top of the drill press.  Not a real issue.  <!—-> <!—->
• Its not variable speed.  Minor. With the cost of a variable speed, I can change a few belts.  I probable will not use more than a few anyway.<!—-> <!—->
• The brand. It’s not a problem, but I don’t know anything about them.  I came back from the show on Saturday and tried to do some research on them, but could not find much on the internet.  I took a chance with Grizzly and it has worked out, so I will take a chance here

Summary: <!—-><!—->

                So far I am very pleased.  It has all the features that I wanted and a price point that could not be beat. It was the show demo, and he sold it for $329.  I bought it, and came back in about 30 minutes and he had it ready to take to the van. When I got it home, I discovered that he had forgot to put the chuck key in the box. I sent an E-mail to him that evening and he apologized and sent me the chuck key right away. He also included a 7 piece brad point bit set as well. I did not realize at the time that it was Anthony Hinch the President and CEO of Fisch that sold me the drill press. The drill press comes with a two year warrantee.  If you are in the market for a drill press give them a look.  I took a chance and let’s see how it works out.  I have included some pictures to give you an idea of the machine. In the future if someone is interested in the brand, I hope this helps. Take care.  <!—-> <!—->