OPJ
Established Member
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=060710201&r=2042&g=106
I've been after a drill press for some time now and a few people on these very forums pointed me in the direction of the Clarke models from Machine Mart - and how I thank you now!
£117 is an excellent price for something that also offers itself as an accurate metalworking drill as well as being surprisingly well built and sturdy for a machine at this end of the market.
I'd say it's rather large for an ordinary "bench-top drill", but since I had trouble on deciding whether to go for a floor-standing model, with the capacities this one offers (80mm drilling depth) I've found a very smart comprimise, just in case. :wink:
I have already used it to re-drill the plate in my Bosch router table to suit the cheap Silverline router I picked up a while back. It went through almost like butter! (Even though I stalled the countersink bit!! )
Changing speeds for different jobs and sizes is a real doddle. Lift up the hood and it's all about re-positioning two pulley belts. Best thing is, they've even included an 'on-hand' chart that works in both metric and imperial, dependant on the type of material you are looking to use.
Morticing attatchments are compatible (unlike the Axminster models in the same price-range) but according to Machine Mart themselves, the use of a sanding drum is NOT advised with this machine, for safety issues.
The only downside I have so far come across is that the tilt scale for the table was stuck in a position that would leave me 3mm over according to their 90 degrees.
Now I have one of these machines, and I am VERY pleased with it, I can think of two projects to add to the list - a table with fence for morticing/general woodworking and a wheeled storage cabint (similar to Adam's in last month's GWW) for permanent fixture.
After a little use though, one question still remains...
How on Earth does Norm get away with using one of these simply HOLDING the pice of timber in his spare hand?!? :shock:
I've been after a drill press for some time now and a few people on these very forums pointed me in the direction of the Clarke models from Machine Mart - and how I thank you now!
£117 is an excellent price for something that also offers itself as an accurate metalworking drill as well as being surprisingly well built and sturdy for a machine at this end of the market.
I'd say it's rather large for an ordinary "bench-top drill", but since I had trouble on deciding whether to go for a floor-standing model, with the capacities this one offers (80mm drilling depth) I've found a very smart comprimise, just in case. :wink:
I have already used it to re-drill the plate in my Bosch router table to suit the cheap Silverline router I picked up a while back. It went through almost like butter! (Even though I stalled the countersink bit!! )
Changing speeds for different jobs and sizes is a real doddle. Lift up the hood and it's all about re-positioning two pulley belts. Best thing is, they've even included an 'on-hand' chart that works in both metric and imperial, dependant on the type of material you are looking to use.
Morticing attatchments are compatible (unlike the Axminster models in the same price-range) but according to Machine Mart themselves, the use of a sanding drum is NOT advised with this machine, for safety issues.
The only downside I have so far come across is that the tilt scale for the table was stuck in a position that would leave me 3mm over according to their 90 degrees.
Now I have one of these machines, and I am VERY pleased with it, I can think of two projects to add to the list - a table with fence for morticing/general woodworking and a wheeled storage cabint (similar to Adam's in last month's GWW) for permanent fixture.
After a little use though, one question still remains...
How on Earth does Norm get away with using one of these simply HOLDING the pice of timber in his spare hand?!? :shock: