Good luck. As usual, I dive deep and over-reasearch these things. My experience:
I bought what I thought would be a decent one. Delta made in Taiwan. Nope. Trash. Sheaves not round, chuck junk, and like most modern drills, the case is not split to adjust the quill play. It does all depend on what you use it for. I do as much metal work as wood. My first Craftsman was so flexible you could not use it to rough drill with a forsner bit for a mortice. I had to support the table with a jack. My Delta is only a little better. Should have bought the Palmgren as at least they published full specs. Can't justify a Nova. If only woodwork, consider a radial arm drill as it can give you the reach when you need it, but retract for more rigidity. Sure wish I had a Reeves drive.
Do think if you really need 18 to 20 as the deeper the throat, the more play just by leverage. With most power tools, you can almost buy by weight.
Sale season is upon us, maybe Griz will have some of their industrial metal working drills on sale. Gear head beasts. Of course, some 80 year old long gone name beast is probably a way better tool, but I have not found one either. Came close but the table had no lift.
