Drill Press Advice

I got this by using the search feature on top of this very page ;o)

This exact question was raised here several times in the last couple of weeks. you would find your answers in that link.

Welcome Aboard!

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

sorry PurpLev, I am a newbie :) Thanks for the direction, I appreciate it.

If you want to built mission furniture, I would either save the money from a floor standing drill press and get a good mortiser or router.

I read many reviews on DP and sought advice from a number of long experienced woodworkers on the other forums (DIYbanter and FWN). From the infomations gathered, IMHO go for floor standiing DP, a dedicated one. If you need a mortiser, get a good one (like robdew said). Do not use mortiser attachment on the DP or you would spend extra bucks later.

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

For what it’s worth indianajus, I’m pretty much in the same position as you and I picked up a Wolfcraft drilling jig at Rockler for around $50. It works okay but I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s probably wise to save up for a dedicated drill press. If you’re drilling mortises the base is kind of hard to work with and unless you’re really good at cleaning up with a chisel (or want the practice like I did) it’s not really worth it. If you’re in the Indianapolis area there’s a retiring woodworker who’s having a closing out garage sale on the SE side next weekend, the address is in the Star classifieds if you’re willing to go hunting for bargains…

Since you want to built pretty significant sized pieces, I would recommend holding off for a bit and get the floor model. The last thing you want to do is go drop several hundred dollars (or a lot more) and find out it won’t work for you.

If you know what machine will do the work and others would limit you, get the machine that will do the work. Having a goal of Mission Style after only being in the hobby for a few months is admirable. What are you working on now? Pictures?

-- Behind the Bark is a lot of Heartwood----Charles, Centennial, CO