Opinions on this bench drill please?

[breezer]

Okay been using a Clarke drill press stand (the kind you clamp a corded drill into) and I find when drilling box the top face has a hole in the middle and the bottom face somewhere closer to the edge.

So I'm gonna bite the bullet and buy a bench drill (not got room for a pillar drill).

I want one that's not gonna have any play in it - this is about as much as I can run to cost wise. I like the fact that it's rack and pinion, and has a work table on a ratchet system (as opposed to the cheaper Clarke ones)

So does this look like it's up to the job, and / or can anyone reccommend any others of a similar / cheaper price?

thankyou, kind people.

Jim

 

[breezer]

DOH! Forgot the link...

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Pillar-Drill-Bench-5-Speed-745mm-Height-550W-230V-Sealey-GDM50B

 

[lchris21]

I got one. Its great for the price. The 2MT comes in handy for bigger home/diy stuff. The motor does slowdown a bit with the big stuff as its only 500W, so take your time, up to 5/8-3/4 and 2-3" holesaws its fine.

 

[Wedg1e]

I'd keep my eyes oipen for a Fobco Star, Boxford or similar. OK they'll be a good few years old but British and made from girders, not chocolate...

 

[breezer]

It weighs 35kg so at the very least it's going to be fruit and nut...

 

[English Steve]

If the post flexes (which is what will have caused your problem with the drill press), a suggestion on here some time ago was to fill it with concrete. That should stiffen it up, but it will still be a hobby machine.

 

[breezer]

The problem with the drill stand was the sliding mechanism on the post, there was a bit of play (in the mechanism rather than the post) so when pulling down on the handle the drill became off-centre.

To be fair it will only ever be used for hobby purposes, so I'm down with that!