Drill press choice?

How about an Edlund? The smallest model might work in a home shop. They don't come up very often, but I've seen 3 on CL in my area in the last few months.
 
How about an Electro Mechano 20" ?
https://gulfport.craigslist.org/tls/5977247603.html

Also, I believe Buffalo Machines still makes their own drill presses.
http://www.bmt-usa.com/7.html
Yes, I saw that EM20 a few days back. Looks like it may a couple of hours from me.

The add mentions he has parts - a likely indicator that something is broken? Needs work?

I sure tire of Craigslist on the gulf coast. The pricing is often comical. Meanwhile I sent an inquiry and am waiting.

What do you think one in decent shape is worth? I would need to get a panel and VFD to run it. Just went through that on a lathe. It is not a problem, just time and more money that must be considered in the total cost.
 
If you are going to spend $1K – $2K, I would get a Bridgeport mill. It’s like a drill press on steroids. And can still be moved with a cherry picker…Dave
 
Agreed, mills are great. I have a brand new PM935TV.

Just in the market for a better drill press now.
 
What do you think one in decent shape is worth? I would need to get a panel and VFD to run it. Just went through that on a lathe. It is not a problem, just time and more money that must be considered in the total cost.

I'm just generally aware that they exist, but don't know enough about them to say what the value is. There's one on ebay from a dealer in Ct for $2200, so I would view that as the very top end of the price range. Maybe you should take a drive up to HGR and go shopping.
 
Yes I did see the ebay one too when searching. If I were spending $2200 plus a VFD upgrade, I'd think the new Ellis as a plug and play new machine would be the prudent thing. BTW, it can be turned down to less than the 100 rpm the Electro Mechano is limited at. Not a huge deal but a 1" bit needs to go slow.
 
If you're considering something used take a look at one like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390904342084?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I've had one like this in the shop going on 20 years and t works great. It can be wired either 220V or 440V either 3 phase or with a phase converter or VFD. It has a 2 speed motor capable of speeds between 80 rpm and 2000 rpm. It can also power feed down and has depth stops. If I recall correctly it's capable of 1 1/4 inch holes in steel plate.

They're tough machines and weigh in at about your max weight of 750 lbs.

I'd see if you can find one other than this. They're asking a ton of money and it's probably been up for sale on EBay for at least a year, maybe as long as 2 years. I paid less than scrap metal price for mine. It was in excellent condition, but unfortunately in a shop our company was closing down. None of the other shops had a use for it so rather than see it go to the dumpster the company sold it to me.

ON EDIT: Here's a link to the operators manual on the Northern Tool website:
http://www.northerntool.com/images/downloads/manuals/155870.pdf

They say the machine is no longer available new from them, but I'm sure there are several either new or used in the market. The specs for both the VS-1 and the VS-3 are on page 5.
 
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If you are going to spend $1K – $2K, I would get a Bridgeport mill. It’s like a drill press on steroids. And can still be moved with a cherry picker…Dave

I have two small drill presses in the shop not bench top and both Craftsman branded. One is a small one and a larger one with 1/2 capacity. However I don’t use them often unless drilling a smaller non critical hole.

I do most drilling on my Lagun mill. Even the parts that need a precise location but a larger size


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