Ok so I am getting my shop put together and the last large piece, for now, is a drill press. I am really struggling with what direction to go here. I am currently looking hard at 2 models from Grizzly. The 34" radial head floor model and the 20" fixed head floor press. They both have different advantages and disadvantages and I'm not sure how to make up my mind.
The Radial has a 34" swing which would be handy for getting large pieces into and has much nice price at about $375 delivered. My worry with it is stability and keeping the head and table perpendicular, there are a lot of round parts to move and twist. It also has a very small table but that can be fixed with jigs.
Then there is the 20" floor press, I looked at a 17" but for only $100 difference I would have to go for the 20". Best I can tell it is built like a tank and other than tipping it over there is pretty much no way you could ever damage it while doing any kind of wood working. The big advantage is that along with being pretty much indestructible it also would be heavy enough for metal work and will accept mortising attachments and standard mill chucks for using as a milling machine. Down side it the price tag, $800 delivered, still not terrible but a lot more than $375.
The Mrs says get the big one if I will never have to by another later on which in some ways makes an even tougher choice
. They never say that.
Does anyone have any experience with either of these presses. I am leaning to the 20" but the $400 difference would pay for other toys so I would love to hear what others have to say.