FAQ |
Members List |
Social Groups |
Calendar |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Members Helping Members help Buying a non Pontiac item, transportation help, Handy-man advice, directions, vacation ideas, places to dine, ebay and generally anything you think might help other members. |
Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Harbor Freight 12 speed Bench Top Drill Press comments
Bought a 12 spd bench top drill press for portable use.Sometimes I need to drill steel away from shop.
I waited till price was low. Anyway no matter what speed I've tried the motor does not have torque. Drilling 1/8" steel with sharp 1/4" bit,grabs then stalls motor, time consuming, battery hand drill better. So local motor repair shop finding used motor for me. So beware. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Take it back. There's always smaller drill presses on craigslist and marketplace.
|
#3
|
||||
|
||||
I got the Wren 12" variable speed at Home Depot for a job I had to do with some very long metal that I couldn't get into my other machines for lack of room. Figured it was worth it for the one job even if I destroyed it in the process.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-12-i...4214/204994931 To my surprise I'm still using it, it's actually not bad for a chinese piece of garbage. The variable speed, digital readout etc. work pretty well. However it will require the usual partial disassembly, proper lubrication etc. If it starts making a funny noise ... you have to pull apart the drive and get some lube in there. With some proper spindle bearings and a chuck that isn't total crap it would be even better. Course if you can find a used US built unit that would be a great option too ... make sure it's a name brand that you might still be able to get parts for, or that uses standard industry parts. |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks for input. I just hope the castings dont break when I get a good motor. It's just sometimes I need a drill press out somewhere to drill alot of holes in steel usually 1/4" thick stock,time consuming with hand held. I never know what I'm getting into sometimes,'oh yeah I'll help'!
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Does changing the belt configuration(spd) help? Nice one on CL Barto pa(Allentown CL)
__________________
'68 GTO '69 Corvette '75 Cadillac Coupe Deville TOM Last edited by salem1912; 03-08-2020 at 07:24 PM. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Tried low speed,higher speed,medium speed. Still stalls. Motor as was said doesnt have the torque. Funny that a 3/8 old Sears can do a better job. I'm getting higher torque motor as soon as shop can find one in their stock of used. You need one with bearings because of vertical application. I have their table top belt sander it works but there again you can stall it applying to much pressure. Live and learn to read specs.
|
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Had one from HF a few years ago, same problem. No power.
__________________
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” ― Calvin Coolidge |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
My philosophy is to always buy the HF tool first. If/when that breaks or fails, do some research and spend a little more.
I've wound up replacing 1 out of 10 things, saving much more money this way in the long run. That drill press is likely fine for woodworkers doing little hobbyist jobs. I have the same-size band saw and rebuilt all my kitchen cabinets with it. Works great but no doubt it would fail if I tried to do heavy lumber, let alone steel. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Shoulda- coulda- woulda- saved my money and bought a mag drill! Then I wouldve had a drill I could drill in all positions in metal. Looking at Dewalt.
Last edited by sdbob; 03-11-2020 at 07:54 PM. Reason: Add word |
Reply |
|
|