Drill Press

[Ron Nossaman]

> Spindle speeds, horsepower, and weight (something heavy enough to allow 
> it to soak up the vibration, but suitalbe size for a small shop)
>  
> Bill

Years ago, when the Earth was young, I bought a new (then) 
Rockwell 32" radial. I went for versatility over power, mass, 
and precision. Given the same choices today that I had then, 
I'd buy the same drill press (but a different table saw). 
Since then, Rockwell became Delta, and they let the radial 
press die. Grizzley makes one that looks to be a pretty decent 
machine at a reasonable price, and I've seen another radial 
advertised who's name I don't remember. Oh yes. Somewhere 
along the line, I swapped the 1/3hp OEM motor for a 1/2hp, 
which will do pretty much anything I need to do.

Jim Busby has a fairly new radial he made a nice pinblock 
drilling rig with. What's the brand, Jim?

You don't generally need molecular level accuracy in the shop, 
or a wide choice of rpm ranges to poke holes in piano things. 
If you need high precision, double drill.


I'd recommend a radial like this for almost anything you will 
be called upon to do in a piano shop, and a lot of things more 
cautious (sensible) folks wouldn't try. If you plan on boring 
a lot of hammers, I'd recommend a second small tight dedicated 
press you can mount in a corner somewhere.

I'd like a milling machine too, naturally, but that requires 
floor space and a juicy enough rationalization to spend the cash.

Ron N