Pics and First Impressions
I got the drillpress put together tonight. The head assy was very heavy but LOML and I managed to stand it up on the post. I cleaned and inserted the chuck, arbor, attached the table, handles, and cleaned up, waxed the table. I still need to clean up a few other areas but it is functional now.
General comments:
GOOD Things.
1. This is a heavy, large drill press.
2. I was surprised to see that the table is VERY flat. Could not find any gaps under my "straight edge" across the table. The table outer edge is a few thousandths below the table surface, which is a good thing. The finished surface of the table is quite smooth. I'm embarrased to admit it cleaned up much nicer than my Unisaw and MM16 tables.
3. The table is large, 16 3/4 x 18 3/4 inches.
4. Measured runout. I don't know the best way but I simply chucked a 1/2 inch bit, set up the dial indicator on the top of the bit, and hand turned the bit. With the quill at the top, runout of about .005 inch. Fully extended, runout of .007 inch. I also measure runout on the chuck surface at full runout and it measured .005 inches. I am actually quite pleased with these results.
5. There is very LITTLE play in the quill even at full extension...maybe a few thousandths. Much less than what I had seen on floor displays at Sears and the BORG. I was quite surprised.
6. The 1.5 HP motor runs smooth with very little vibration.
7. I drilled a 1/2 inch hole in some scrap oak. The hole was clean and sized to the drill. The measured runout was not apparent in the finished hole.
8. NONE of the parts were heavily coated with cosmoline. Clean up was easy and quick.
Minor Annoyances.
1. The threads on one of the downfeed handles was stripped where the knob attaches. They supplied the wrong knob on this handle. Looks like someone at the factory tried to cover a boo-boo. I will use it without the knob until I get one from Shop Fox.
2. The depth stop bracket is a little flimsy. If it becomes a problem it will be simple to replace with a beefed up bracket.
3. Speed adjustment involves changing sheave ratios on two belts. I knew this going in and frankly I don't change speeds a lot. I can live with it.
Admittedly I haven't put the drill through the paces yet but my first impression is good. I like it a lot!!
One question. How do I protect the post? I didn't want to wax it because I thought it might affect locking the table. Is wax okay?
Pics below.
Chuck