Bench Top Pillar Drill...Help Deciding

[PeteG]

I know this has been asked many times, but I really need help deciding as it's going to be my birthday pressie from our lass, so I'll be wanting to keep it for life
It'll be used with big forstner bits and hole cutters and I'd like if possible to be able to attach a morticer, but this will only be used in wood up to half inch thick,
at the moment! The only metal work I have planned will be drilling holes in angle iron.
I know very little about pillar drills or chucks, other than I like the idea of using a chuck with a key. And I'll be making a nice table to fir on top.
These are the three I've come across while searching.

Draper 42640

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-42640-230-Volt-650-Watt-Heavy-Duty/dp/B00142B88Q

RECORD POWER DP58B

http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/s ... M5PTy5fBJB

Warco 2B12

http://www.warco.co.uk/drilling-mac...b12-bench-mounted-drill-drilling-machine.html

Any help/advice would be much appreciated

 

[marcros]

Does it have to be new? The usual advice is to get something vintage such as meddings, fobco, Union or startrite.

I wouldn't bother with the morticing option. Personally I would drill round holes and square up by hand. I have read too many negative reviews of the attachments.

 

[PeteG]

Hello Marc...I've been searching for an old one within the price range, this one looks great but it's £600.00. I've seen others for £300.00 but they look rusty and in need of an overhaul. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meddings-...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item19fa468b3a

Can anyone vouch for any of the three mentioned or an alternative up to £300.00?

 

[DiscoStu]

I can't offer any advice on any of those listed. I bought a cheapish Clarke one last year £130. It's been very good so far but from using it the points that I'd change or look for on my next one (likely to be in the same price bracket as here) are:

The table to raise via a handle (as those selected do) rather than just a bolt that you undo and the slide it up.

I prefer a depth gauge that works with a bolt that you move rather than the rotary dial I have as this seems highly flakey and unreliable.

Ideally I'd like a way of changing speeds more easily. At the moment I have to pull the belt off and move it manually - not a big deal, but it would be nicer if it was variable speed.

I've added a light to the side of it and in an ideal world this would be built in, but no big deal.

Other than that I've been pretty impressed with the Clarke. On low speeds it copes really well with a 50mm forstner bit in oak. High speed is definitely high speed.

The chuck seems ok - I don't know what makes a bad chuck but it holds the bits well.

 

[marcros]

Hello Marc...I've been searching for an old one within the price range, this one looks great but it's £600.00. I've seen others for £300.00 but they look rusty and in need of an overhaul. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meddings-...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item19fa468b3a

Can anyone vouch for any of the three mentioned or an alternative up to £300.00?

You are probably right, but buy one for £100, overhaul it (cost of which is mainly your time), powder coat it for £70 and fit an inverter to run it (£100). You then have something similar to the link but within budget. It also has variable speed and when/if you come to sell it you can turn a profit.