Help me find a drill press

So I was helping pick out a drill press for the small shop we have at work and I chose this one.

http://www.tools-plus.com/delta-dp350.html

But it is on back order until March and I can't find anyone with one in stock. So I need help finding another. 12" is the size I would like and it needs to be able to drill pretty much any metal. I would really like variable speed and the rack and pinion style table adjustment. Bonus points for Made in the USA.

I've got a Delta model 17-450L. It's a floor model with some similar features. Stepped pulleys for speed changes.

I HATE the design of the table. Both axis of the bevel adjustments have inadequate locking mechanisms to keep the table level without shifting, and the rack of the rack and pinion height adjustment walks around the pole while in use. Additionally the adjustment handles are cheap and break/ fall out.

I do find the motor to be smooth operating and powerful. Too bad about that lousy table. I don't know if the table design is the same on the smaller benchtop unit.

I have an older Delta that runs rings around this one.

Have you looked at Craiglist? In that price range, you should be able to get a pretty nice older unit with decent castings and accurate adjustments.

Oh, and you should be able to drill metal with ANY drillpress with adjustable speeds.

SVreX wrote: Have you looked at Craiglist? In that price range, you should be able to get a pretty nice older unit with decent castings and accurate adjustments.

It is for a largest business so I don't know if getting on Craigslist is ok.

I have only used one drill press with the rack and pinion style thing and it didn't walk around but it wasn't Delta. If that is a common problem ignore that "requirement". I would still love the variable speed over the stepped pulley though.

What's a largest business? One that sells stuff that isn't smallest?

Largish not largest lol

If I was buying a drill press for a medium sized business, I would 1) not buy a tabletop, 2) Not buy a new Delta, and 3) be happy to own an older better built unit for the same price, even if it came from CL.

I buy used industrial chemical processing equipment for the chemical plant I work in all the time off CL.

SVreX wrote: If I was buying a drill press for a medium sized business, I would 1) not buy a tabletop, 2) Not buy a new Delta, and 3) be happy to own an older better built unit for the same price, even if it came from CL.

The reason for table top is it is just a prototyping shop for our division so it isn't going to be an everyday use thing (maybe a couple times a month) and we have work bench space but not floor space. I will talk to the purchasing guy about a CL drill press.

SRex is absolutely right. I went through this 2 years ago shopping for my press. I ended up with a 15 yr old delta floor press that's rock solid. I wanted an even older model but the asking prices were too high for my budget. when it comes to tools the older the better. The materials were more heavy duty, products were still made in America, and they will last forever.

I'm going to +3 the CL or surplus machine route. I got a badass old benchtop press that has a full cast iron head and a 1.75" shaft that looks like I could run an endmill out of it.

It was almost free. I think I paid $50 for it and a pile of drills, arbors and a machine vise.

CL can be a really great place to get equipment. The company I work at bought a sliding compound miter saw on CL and got a great deal.

Our table saw came to us from an art school when they got a Saw Stop table saw. It's an awesome 5 hp, 3 phase, Delta with a cast iron table and a beefy base. We changed the belts and bearings, and it's served us well for 6 years. Really top drawer equipment can be found on CL and other places for awesome prices.

Might wanna take a look at auctions in your area. Commercial, industrial, tech schools, independent shops, private estates auctions might have what you're looking for... and prolly a lot more.

I use auctionzip.com

Ok so as nice as it would be to go to Craigslist and pick one up, the way purchasing is done that isn't possible so I need suggestions for new.

Given the parameters, I don't really think you will go wrong with pretty much anything off the shelf from any supplier.

Your needs are not that great. You are looking for a benchtop unit, that drills metal (all do), a couple of times a month.

You work for a large (est) company, so a $200 purchase probably won't break the bank. If it doesn't serve their needs, I'm sure they will replace it.

Harbor Freight. Grizzly. Delta. Home Depot. Whatever vendor they happen to have in their system.

Anyone heard of Dayton for drill presses?

Same company that makes motors?

Dayton motors are pretty good. Never seen a drill press.