Best stationary drill presses according to redditors

This is a massive conspiracy. I found several online stores selling whats needed to build ghost guns.

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-5-speed-bench-drill-press-60238.html

https://www.lowes.com/pd/PORTER-CABLE-3-2-Amp-5-Speed-Bench-Drill-Press/1000183105

https://smile.amazon.com/WEN-4208-8-Inch-Speed-Drill/dp/B00HQONFVE/ref=sr_1_4?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1498684910&sr=1-4&keywords=drill+press

And they are all substantially cheaper. We should work on banning power tools. Think of the children. /s

According to /u/meangrampa it cost about 75$.

25$ for the angle grinder.

80$ for the drill press

30$ for the vice

And then you have tools you can use for other stuff too.

But let's be real, anyone who needs a square broach already have at least the drill and the vice.

For an extra 30 bucks, this works surprisingly well

https://www.amazon.com/WEN-4208-8-Inch-Speed-Drill/dp/B00HQONFVE

Forstner bits.

A Drill Press like this one would allow you to control the depth of your cutting, accurately to within a millimeter.

I bought the 12.5" planer a couple weeks ago when it was down to $208 (after which it ended up dropping all the way down to $186). Well worth it imo - the next best alternative is the ~$380 dewalt 734 which is most likely produced by the same company in China (though likely to better QC standards).

So far so good. I haven't used it a TON but it did an excellent job planing soft wood. I did plane a piece of hickory with some pretty gnarly grain, experiencing some tearout, but I can't say that was unexpected.

I've since picked up the 4214 Drill Press for $145. Overall pretty impressed with these products given their price.

If you have access to a drill press, and patience, you should be GTG. I've also seen tabletop stands for a power drill that give you the vertical axis control of a drill press without the need to buy a big-ass tool.

e.g.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01FZB3HQC/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1521483655&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=portable+drill+press&dpPl=1&dpID=41tNr6DyFiL&ref=plSrch#


Edit: This a little bit more, but probably takes up a lot more space in an apartment, unless you have a spare room for an office/workshop/den/bar/etc... room that I wish I had.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HQONFVE/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1521483655&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=portable+drill+press

I just got the WEN 10" from amazon last week, I've used it a few times and it has been great so far.
https://www.amazon.com/WEN-4210-Drill-Crosshair-10-Inch/dp/B005UKGLAS/ref=pd_cp_469_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B005UKGLAS&pd_rd_r=HTMFN9V19ZJACF0BAAVE&pd_rd_w=lbTKw&pd_rd_wg=LLmzb&psc=1&refRID=HTMFN9V19ZJACF0BAAVE

Ah, okay. This is the one I have: https://www.amazon.com/WEN-4214-12-Inch-Variable-Speed/dp/B00HQONFY6 and the speed adjustment is awesome.

I realize that it's a step pulley drill press, yes. But that's not what people typically refer to when they say a variable speed drill press. Variable speeds have a dial where you can adjust the actual speed of the motor or in some cases the working diameter of the spindle. Wen has a 12" version that is variable.

Yeah, you could look in to smaller bench top models of table saws and jointers, lunchbox planers, etc.
Ive seen people create some pretty cool work areas out of small spaces.
The downside is with smaller tools comes less surface to reference your workpiece during the cut, less power and dust collection...
These are some smaller "budget" tools that I've heard good things about:

Benchtop "Lunchbox" Thickness Planer
Benchtop Jointer
Benchtop table saw
Benchtop Drill Press

Actually not that much. I probably spent around $20-25 in lumber for all four shelves (I just got some cheap pine at Lowe's). Wood glue and paint was another few bucks.

The expense really comes with the tools. I didn't have a drill press, so I bought a relatively cheap one on Amazon ($75), which actually worked amazingly well (https://smile.amazon.com/WEN-4208-5-Speed-Drill-Press/dp/B00HQONFVE/ref=sr_1_4?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1521416744&sr=1-4&keywords=drill+press). A 2" drill bit will also run you about $20. Fortunately, I already had a sander and some sandpaper laying around.

So, short answer: One shelf will probably cost you around $10-15 in materials. However, there's a lot of additional costs if you need more tools. Also took quite a bit of time marking and drilling all of the holes. I put the design in the Imgur album, so feel free to make your own if you so desire!

WEN 8 Inch Drill Press

It's pretty good for the price. I will likely upgrade at some point but for now it's just right. I use it all of the time now that I have one.

I've been fascinated and obsessed with this and AvE's follow-up video for the last 24 hours. I have a couple of great applications for it and would really like to get one if there are decent odds I could get it to work on mild steel up to 1/4" thick.

I don't know how many pounds of pressure it can exert, but my drill press is 3/4 HP, 4.5 A, and can go up to 3100 rpm without load. I have done some light milling on it with end mills (using its lowest speed just below 500 rpm—yeah, too fast, but it gets the job done for what I've been doing).

If it could handle it, I wonder if I'd need a cooling assembly like this. Not that I want to spend $160 to save a $130 drill press, but my getting a proper (i.e., much more expensive) milling machine at some point is pretty much inevitable.

Thanks in advance for thoughts and answers.

The ideal tools would be a CNC mill, but for cheap DIY I used the following.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UKGLAS 10" drill press

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077QMBVTB X-Y vice

That plus a few drill bits, end mill bit, and some hand files will have you milling out 80% lowers for around ~$200. Never milled my own upper so I have no idea what that entails. I recommend starting with poly lowers for your first couple, they are more forgiving and less likely to break any off your tools if you mess up.

​

edit: if you want something you can drop a lower into and walk away, check out this https://www.ghostguns.com/home/173-ghost-gunner-cnc-version-2.html

I did use a drill press. And even then not all the holes lined up perfectly. I be to do some fine tweeks at the end. I'd say either find a buddy with a drill press or save up and buy one. Some aren't all that expensive. Drill presses come in handy. Good luck with you build. This Or This

After some searcing for my own machine, I found that with drill presses it is all or nothing. Small bench top unites are woefully underpowered and tend to be pretty bad in terms of quality. Also the throat clearance is so small it really limits its usefulness. However there are good ones out there but you will pay for it, which is the other catch. You either pay 300 or more or else you get junk that will be nearly useless.

https://www.amazon.com/Jet-716000-JWDP-12-Drill-Press/dp/B01C9TW7LO/ref=sr_1_28?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1479821271&sr=1-28&keywords=drill+press

One example with 1/2 HP, or this one with 3/4 hp

https://www.amazon.com/J-2530-15-Inch-4-Horspower-115-Volt-Bench/dp/B003YJYJGA/ref=sr_1_7?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1479821244&sr=1-7&keywords=drill+press

for example. Both around 26" tall.

It is indeed. It is absolutely fantastic for the money. Variable speed, 12" swing. I changed the chuck out for a Jacobs style tool-less. It's not high end Jet, but its not $1500 either.. :) I have a mill when I need to do super precise stuff anyhow.

This is it on Amazon

The built in laser is a gimmick, but the built in light is nice.

Yeah, I was in your exact place when I first started. It doesn't have to be anything special. I just now upgraded from my $120 Ryobi after 4 or 5 years, and it was only because I didn't feel like replacing the belt when it started to slip. You can most likely find a set of used US made HSS bits at an estate sale or flea markets.

Here's the one I bought and it's very nice. The speed goes from 580-3200, and has a digital readout for the spindle.

Similar boat as you. I'm eyeing the WEN 4214 12-inch bench top model. Seems to have good reviews and easy adjustable speed. My understanding is that it's not just cutting power to the motor which is nice too. Curious to see what others think of it. Also a plus is you can get it from Home Depot (online only) but at least return it locally if it doesn't work out.

http://www.amazon.com/WEN-4214-12-Inch-Variable-Speed/dp/B00HQONFY6

what else would i need to add to these tools, I don't understand what the divider's purpose is exactly, and I have the rest of the stuff you suggested
Tools needed
Drill press
http://www.amazon.com/WEN-4208-8-Inch-Speed-Drill/dp/B00HQONFVE/ref=sr_1_1?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1422478362&sr=1-1
80$
Angle Grinder
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-4-1-2-in-Angle-Grinder-9557NB/202105761
70$
Cutoff wheel and flap wheel
10$
cabinet makers rasp http://www.amazon.com/Nicholson-Half-Round-American-Pattern-Length/dp/B006P2X4Q4/ref=sr_1_4?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1422479106&sr=1-4&keywords=cabinet+rasp
20$
bench vise
30$
also from what i understand when I am making the blade do I just grind it so it is thing and sharp at the bottom and thicker on the top??

Any opinions of the Wen 4210 drill press?

I'm about to purchase my first drill press. I'm on a tight budget, and I just need something basic to get the job done for now. The Wen 4210 seems to be the best drill press for the money. Is there a better option in the price range?

Also, I'm going to be cutting 1.5'' holes into 0.75'' thick cherry for my first project with the press. Any recommendations on bits for the job?

Mine, too. Got it off Amazon and it has done everything my newbie hobby woodworking asked of it.

2" travel, half the price, good reviews: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HQONFVE/

(I just got this one but haven't yet unpacked it, so can't speak to if it's actually any good.)

step bit usually does a good job, you could also get a drill press if like this one.

This small bandsaw has been as low as $60, according to camelcamelcamel.

https://www.amazon.com/POWERTEC-BS900-Band-Saw-9-Inch/dp/B00367WB0G

Powertec is identical to Ryobi, FWIW. the parts are interchangeable, even.

I priced the list out at < 1k. Given that the table saw is as cheap as you can buy one, I don't think the rest of the tools were quality.

Edit: Here's a drill press under $80, too. https://www.amazon.com/WEN-4208-8-Inch-Speed-Drill/dp/B00HQONFVE/