press brake + drill press purchase advice - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shifty · 09-24-2006, 01:14 AM

Hi all,

I am looking for an inexpensive drill press and press brake for my shop. I do not need anything fancy and don't need to bend or drill anything larger than, say, 10 gauge mild steel.

I saw they had a 12 ton press brake at Harbor Freight for around $100. I also have seen several drill presses, but I'll admit, it's daunting to find the right one, or to even know what the heck I need in a drill press...I found a 16.5" floor standing one, old Craftsman for $100 on craigslist....not sure if I should pick it up?

I'm sure some of you guys can give inexpensive recommendations, so I'm curious to see if anyone has good advice.

Mind you, I am not going to be running a freaking shop and these tools will not get more than a dozen uses per year, so I am not looking for anything fancy (hence why I would buy something from HF)

Thanks!

PBFAB.COM · 09-24-2006, 01:40 AM

I picked up a $150 Home Depot drill press three years ago (it's a Ryobi)... I had to have one that day for something and figured that when it broke I would replace it with a "nice" one... it's still going strong and gets used quite regularly.

cdowns · 09-24-2006, 05:50 AM

i've got an older craftsman drill press it was about top of the line back then// i like big heavy bases, big heavy girder , powerfull motor, big work table that you can easily clamp things to that tilts both left and right, the belt should be easy to change ,tighten and adjust speeds with, i also needed a unit that you can easily ghange out the chuck and would accept a 1 inch chuck// the thing to watch on used machines is worn bearings and stripped gears in the spindle and feed area HEAVY is good

**special-K** · 09-24-2006, 06:39 AM

Search the local paper:classifieds and sales/auctions.The old stuff is all industrial rated.I got a 5' brake for $75 at a sale.

Fred T · 09-24-2006, 10:45 AM

For a drill press, get a floor mount. I bought the HF 43389 a few years ago. Only problem has been the switch, poor design that I had to replace. Unless you have to have one right away, wait for HF to have a sale. The older used presses are good, but around here people want too much for them.

I don't know about the HF brake. You can do some comparing at Northern Tool

*Shane* · 09-24-2006, 10:59 AM

looked at this same model yesterday at our local HF ... not industrial grade, but not bad for home use.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91012

09-24-2006, 01:14 AM	#1
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	press brake + drill press purchase advice Hi all, I am looking for an inexpensive drill press and press brake for my shop. I do not need anything fancy and don't need to bend or drill anything larger than, say, 10 gauge mild steel. I saw they had a 12 ton press brake at Harbor Freight for around $100. I also have seen several drill presses, but I'll admit, it's daunting to find the right one, or to even know what the heck I need in a drill press...I found a 16.5" floor standing one, old Craftsman for $100 on craigslist....not sure if I should pick it up? I'm sure some of you guys can give inexpensive recommendations, so I'm curious to see if anyone has good advice. Mind you, I am not going to be running a freaking shop and these tools will not get more than a dozen uses per year, so I am not looking for anything fancy (hence why I would buy something from HF) Thanks! __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

09-24-2006, 01:40 AM	#2
PBFAB.COM Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Mesa,Az Posts: 3,981	Re: press brake + drill press purchase advice I picked up a $150 Home Depot drill press three years ago (it's a Ryobi)... I had to have one that day for something and figured that when it broke I would replace it with a "nice" one... it's still going strong and gets used quite regularly. __________________ www.PorterbuiltFabrication.com Phone: 480-297-2621 E-mail: sales@pbfab.com Find us on FaceBook under Porterbuilt Fabrication Specializing in Chassis and Suspension Components for your Classic Chevrolet Truck. We offer components from the following manufacturers: Porterbuilt Accuair Ridetech (Air Ride Technologies) Air Lift Wilwood Intro Unisteer ECE Gotta Show Air Lift Borgeson CPP Supporting this forum since 2003!

09-24-2006, 05:50 AM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: press brake + drill press purchase advice i've got an older craftsman drill press it was about top of the line back then// i like big heavy bases, big heavy girder , powerfull motor, big work table that you can easily clamp things to that tilts both left and right, the belt should be easy to change ,tighten and adjust speeds with, i also needed a unit that you can easily ghange out the chuck and would accept a 1 inch chuck// the thing to watch on used machines is worn bearings and stripped gears in the spindle and feed area HEAVY is good __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-24-2006, 06:39 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: press brake + drill press purchase advice Search the local paper:classifieds and sales/auctions.The old stuff is all industrial rated.I got a 5' brake for $75 at a sale. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

09-24-2006, 10:45 AM	#5
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: press brake + drill press purchase advice For a drill press, get a floor mount. I bought the HF 43389 a few years ago. Only problem has been the switch, poor design that I had to replace. Unless you have to have one right away, wait for HF to have a sale. The older used presses are good, but around here people want too much for them. I don't know about the HF brake. You can do some comparing at Northern Tool __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

09-24-2006, 10:59 AM	#6
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: press brake + drill press purchase advice looked at this same model yesterday at our local HF ... not industrial grade, but not bad for home use. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91012



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