pe2dave
Established Member
2016-08-30
# DP58B Bench drill, review
Received via expensive service, around 60 pounds. Also bought DPV5
Drill press vice, but Record support deny making this.
Well packed, on a wooden pallet.
## Unpacking
the only really heavy part is the motor / head assembly. Even the stand upright are manageable, with care.
## Assembly
Less clear. Take careful note of the instructions. E.g. table locking
handle (wrongly marked in the manual?) goes in non-threaded side
first, otherwise it doesn't lock off.
All parts are well engineered to good tolerances. E.g. the column is a
very tight fit into the head.
The chuck guard needs to go on before the chuck. Fiddly and the only
cheap looking item in the package.
Hint: Oil the spigot onto which the feed handle fits - seems to be
steel with no finish / not greased (most other parts are) so will rust
if not in dry workshop.
## Siting.
After receiving no information from Record support, I built it on the
floor and experimented until I came up with a height of 410mm for a
support 'box'. This was based on having the table at a height level
with my workbench for 'normal' (common) drill sizes for my use. Puts
the chuck well below eye level (safety) and the handle reasonably
comfortable.
Hint: It needs a full 24 inches front to back, 18" side to side leaves
room. This was the size I used for the stand.
Of note: It weights nearly as much as me, so I used substantial wood
for the stand.
## Ergonomics.
Two major issues struck me.
1. The belt tightening lever is less than a fingers distance from the
feed handle. An ergonomic fail as far as I'm concerned. I fully expect
to skin my knuckles on that before long.
2. The Table and the drill press vice seem almost incompatible to me?
I asked Record what size bolts I needed. Again no reply / denial
that they made the DPV5 (I still don't know). I measured about
a 15.3mm slot, so M14 bolts fit. Suggest 50mm. Of note: Coach
headed bolts would make it easier to tighten, but the coach head
(square base) size doesn't match the underside of the table.
Adjusting the positioning of the vice is about as awkward as it
could be. I found it optimal (a poor one at that) to bolt into the
front two slots (V shape pointing to centre). Either I'm doing
something really wrong or this is pure tradition and ergonomics
have nothing to do with it.
3. In order to adjust the speed, two plastic headed bolts need to be
released, one either side of the head. Necessary? Both of them?
4. The safety side of exposing spinning belts in the head is .. weak
IMHO. the microswitch closure plate needed bending in order to
operate the switch. The screw holding the cover closed is an area
that could be improved IMHO.
All of these could be dealt with by Record. No idea why they haven't.
## In use.
Speed adjustment is quite simple ( changing belts on three pulley
sets). Simple, has worked well for years. Yes we're lazy and prefer
electronic control but I can see the logic. High cost and suspect
reliability. I'm happy with the adjustment as is. I did have to print
off a page relating drill size to speed for wood / steel.
Head travel at 80mm is more than adequate for me.
Pulling the chuck down is stiff, but not unduly. Watch your knuckles
on that chrome lever!
I've used it 30 times (building the base) and I like it. As close to
silent as you'll get with belt drive. The motor is quiet.
# Summary?
Annoyed that Record failed to answer one of my questions.
Disappointed that they don't use an ergonomist (or listen to their
customers perhaps?).
5 year guarantee? No idea how that will work out. Judging by the build
quality, I can see 5 years slipping by without calling on it.
All in all, I like the product and expect many years of use, basically
ignoring it and using it when needed.
# DP58B Bench drill, review
Received via expensive service, around 60 pounds. Also bought DPV5
Drill press vice, but Record support deny making this.
Well packed, on a wooden pallet.
## Unpacking
the only really heavy part is the motor / head assembly. Even the stand upright are manageable, with care.
## Assembly
Less clear. Take careful note of the instructions. E.g. table locking
handle (wrongly marked in the manual?) goes in non-threaded side
first, otherwise it doesn't lock off.
All parts are well engineered to good tolerances. E.g. the column is a
very tight fit into the head.
The chuck guard needs to go on before the chuck. Fiddly and the only
cheap looking item in the package.
Hint: Oil the spigot onto which the feed handle fits - seems to be
steel with no finish / not greased (most other parts are) so will rust
if not in dry workshop.
## Siting.
After receiving no information from Record support, I built it on the
floor and experimented until I came up with a height of 410mm for a
support 'box'. This was based on having the table at a height level
with my workbench for 'normal' (common) drill sizes for my use. Puts
the chuck well below eye level (safety) and the handle reasonably
comfortable.
Hint: It needs a full 24 inches front to back, 18" side to side leaves
room. This was the size I used for the stand.
Of note: It weights nearly as much as me, so I used substantial wood
for the stand.
## Ergonomics.
Two major issues struck me.
1. The belt tightening lever is less than a fingers distance from the
feed handle. An ergonomic fail as far as I'm concerned. I fully expect
to skin my knuckles on that before long.
2. The Table and the drill press vice seem almost incompatible to me?
I asked Record what size bolts I needed. Again no reply / denial
that they made the DPV5 (I still don't know). I measured about
a 15.3mm slot, so M14 bolts fit. Suggest 50mm. Of note: Coach
headed bolts would make it easier to tighten, but the coach head
(square base) size doesn't match the underside of the table.
Adjusting the positioning of the vice is about as awkward as it
could be. I found it optimal (a poor one at that) to bolt into the
front two slots (V shape pointing to centre). Either I'm doing
something really wrong or this is pure tradition and ergonomics
have nothing to do with it.
3. In order to adjust the speed, two plastic headed bolts need to be
released, one either side of the head. Necessary? Both of them?
4. The safety side of exposing spinning belts in the head is .. weak
IMHO. the microswitch closure plate needed bending in order to
operate the switch. The screw holding the cover closed is an area
that could be improved IMHO.
All of these could be dealt with by Record. No idea why they haven't.
## In use.
Speed adjustment is quite simple ( changing belts on three pulley
sets). Simple, has worked well for years. Yes we're lazy and prefer
electronic control but I can see the logic. High cost and suspect
reliability. I'm happy with the adjustment as is. I did have to print
off a page relating drill size to speed for wood / steel.
Head travel at 80mm is more than adequate for me.
Pulling the chuck down is stiff, but not unduly. Watch your knuckles
on that chrome lever!
I've used it 30 times (building the base) and I like it. As close to
silent as you'll get with belt drive. The motor is quiet.
# Summary?
Annoyed that Record failed to answer one of my questions.
Disappointed that they don't use an ergonomist (or listen to their
customers perhaps?).
5 year guarantee? No idea how that will work out. Judging by the build
quality, I can see 5 years slipping by without calling on it.
All in all, I like the product and expect many years of use, basically
ignoring it and using it when needed.
