Drill press, bench vs. floor standing.

[GeorgeH]

Need a drill press for my shop. Not sure if I should just go with a benchtop or if I should consider a floor standing model. Any thoughts on what you think is best? Anyone by one and wish they had gotten the other?

[Ned Mellon]

I got the 12" Delta benchtop model a couple of years ago. It is a solid, dependable tool. I would not buy another benchtop model though. The quill travel on benchtop models is about 2.5 inches. Full size drill presses typically have closer to 4" of quill travel. When I bought this drill press I tought that 2.5 inches of travel was more than enough. I have regretted this decision on about half of the projects I've worked on.

Ned Mellon

[karl in pa]

Get the floor model. It may take up floor space and weigh more but you can always build a stand with locking wheels for it. Mine stands in the corner when I'm not using it. That way I have more room for my table saw or whatever. I believe the floor models also have more speed options than the models.

[George H]

Thanks to you both for your comments. I'm now looking pretty seriously at the Rigid. I like the way it feels and appears to made very nice.

[Dale Wentz]

The distance from the drill chuck to the column, and the quill travel are the most important items. I have a 1960's craftsman, floor model, that I would not trade for anything.

Dale