Drill press buying advice?

[Gone Fission]

I need to drill a neck for mounting on a body so as best not to fuck it up I’m going to get a drill press. So for light guitar DIY and some pedal build/mod stuff.

So what’s good? What’s bad? What features do I want? What features don’t matter? Should a bench-top press suffice?

[Jero]

I've been using a harbor freight table top drill press for 8 years or so. Cost like $60. Have never felt the need to replace it. Probably going to buy another of the same one soon.

[Blackened Soul]

One thing, if you ever decide you want it to do more than neck stuff the distance from the bit to the post that holds the table is important like if you want to drill holes for bridges or trough body strings, most small presses don’t have enough clearance...

[Gone Fission]

I've been using a harbor freight table top drill press for 8 years or so. Cost like $60. Have never felt the need to replace it. Probably going to buy another of the same one soon.

The one drill press I routinely see “that one falls apart on you” about is that one, so the vote of confidence is interesting.

[Blackened Soul]

I've been using a harbor freight table top drill press for 8 years or so. Cost like $60. Have never felt the need to replace it. Probably going to buy another of the same one soon.

The one drill press I routinely see “that one falls apart on you” about is that one, so the vote of confidence is interesting.

I’ve had tons of hit an miss on that stuff... I have a tabletop belt sander that is a harbor freight thingy that I’ve had for over 5 years... and I’ve worked in a shop where we tried their brad guns and were killing the things every two weeks... (not my idea to use them...) I’ve had tones of good times with craftsman stuff...

What is your budget?

As to a tabletop press. Yes they are fine, you just have to be careful on big stuff... I have a skil 3320, I’ve had it for 3 years and no issues, even while drilling 2” wide holes in rock maple...

One extra point. If you are going to be drilling mounting holes in a premade guitar neck give thought to a cheap drill press vice because holding in straight isn’t easy unless it has no fingerboard radius to make it wobble and vice will hold it by the sides of the neck and therefore square.

[repoman]

Its worth it to look on craigslist for used higher end for a while imo, sometimes you can score a good deal on something like this, if you have the room for a floor press and can swing one it's worth it if you think you'll be doing more with it than drilling enclosures.

[Gone Fission]

On budget, don’t want to spend more than $200. A vise was on the radar. I had seen Wen’s drill press table, which doesn’t seem to care what brand you mount it on, and that seems like a nice add on.

There is always local Craigslist for a floorstander, but it’s not like I would use it that intensively or that much.

[Achtane]

If you arent gonna be using a drill press day in day out, what about the portable ones that are designed to be used with a drill?

[Blackened Soul]

This totally too pricy but seems cool https://toolguyd.com/woodpeckers-auto-line-drill-guide/

[imJonWain]

The harbor freight stuff is fine within limitations. I had the ~$200 model and while it wasn't the best I never had any issues. It comes with a warranty anyway?

I would say go on CL for something used but I've found people want too much for that kind of stuff used usually.

[whoismarykelly]

If you aren't making money on the machine the Harbor Freight press will be fine. I have drilled hundreds of pedal enclosures with one and it does the job perfectly well. Its worth noting that almost any higher quality press will be much larger which can be a hassle depending on your space.