The Steel City Drill Press had what I was looking for.

Dan, from what I can tell the 17” Steel City drill press you bought is probably your best bang for the buck in a 17” drill press. They gotta be selling like hot cakes. I wouldn’t be a bit suprised if it is Steel City’s best selling machine.

Pretty cool, Dan. Have you had it long? Where, what show did you get it at? Check your email.

I agree with you that the Steel City DP was a good deal. I did alot of research, I only wanted to buy a DP once. The Steel City had everything I could want for the best price. It came with a free laser, which I admit I wouldn’t have bought, but find to be a wonderful addition. I also don’t change speed often, so the manual belt changes are not really a big deal for me. Still I find the wide range of speeds available to be a great feature.

-- Lori

Good power, big, heavy and suprisingly well made laser.

-- Iannlb

I got one last january; Midland Tools delivered it to my workshop door for me and the delivery guy even helped me unpack it. I love it. The long travel quill saves time when changing drills since I don’t have to keep moving the table up and down and realigning. It’s solid and quiet. The laser is amazingly useful and quite precise. All in all a real deal.

Does anyone owning the SC drill press have ANY complaints at all, or is this the perfect DP?

-- Don

I wouldn’t say it is the perfect drill press by any means, but it is one of the best values for its price range.

-- Dan, West Virginia, http://www.danpleskaCreations.com

Saturday I bought the Steel City. I THINK I’m pleased with it. The motor has a slight rumble and vibration to it prior to it stopping after I turn it off. The Steel City rep told me that is what it’s supposed to do. It is one circuit jumping to another so that the machine will easily turn on each time.

It also has a slight squeaking noise, which I followed to the turning of the motor shaft. I disconnected the rear belt and turned the pulley connected to the motor shaft by hand. The rep told me that should go away.

The belts also squeak, but he said that will stop as soon as they are worn in.

Did any of you experience these traits?

-- Don

I think the vibration when stopping and the belt squeak (which stopped) were all I experienced.

-- Dan, West Virginia, http://www.danpleskaCreations.com

Thanks, Dan. I feel better now.

-- Don

As a follow up, I very much like the SC drill press, and am now considering buying their 35905G table saw.

Incidentallly, their service is superb, especially when compared to Delta.

-- Don