Woodworker's Journal 2011-35-1, страница 58

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Tool Review continued

J 21914 Swing: 12" HP/Amps: 2/3; 6 Speed Range (RPM): 500-3000 lable Size: 10" x 10" Spindle Travel: 3%"; Chuck: 1/2" Price: $219.93; Weight 96 lbs. wv/w.craftsman.corr 800-383-4814

parei DP350

Swng: 12" HP/Amps: 1/3; 5 Speed Range (RPM): 503-3100 Table Size: 9'/₂" x 9'A' Spindle Travel: Cluck: 1/2" Price: $239.99; Weight 78 lbs. www.deltaportercable.com 80C-223-727S

A horizontal quill handle (left) minimizes wrist fatigue when drilling deep holes repetitively. Craftsman's digital depth readout (right) is easy to set and use when monitoring stopped-hole drilling.

A drill press is also known as a pedestal, pillar, or bench drill, and is an offshoot of the electric drill — invented in 1839 by Australians Arthur James Amot and William Blanch Bain. — National Archives of Australia, 1889

Delta offers speedier depth setting with a quick-release, knurled collar (left)- An adjustable task light (right) accepts standard incandescent bulbs for better illumination where you need it most.

the pulley case allows you to evaluate drilling depth in imperial (decimal) or metric readouts easily while drilling, and it's intuitive to use. An LET) articulating lighl helps brighten up the drilling area — always helpful — but the beani strength is pretty dim.

Laser crosshairs are gaining popularity on drill presses, and Craftsman's battery-powered version is easy to adjust when needed. 1 also appreciate I he steel table fence provided here (the only test tool with one). My favorite gizmo is the horizontal quill handle that allows a more normal range of wrist motion when drilling (it was a big plus for making 100 holes!).

A couple ol concerns surfaced: the table's rim was cracked (the replacement was flat and defect-free). Its tool base also seems undersized for a top-heavy

machine, so he sure to bolt it down. The single pulley drive belt was thinner on this machine than others, but it still kept the press from slipping during testing. All in all, Craftsman offers a user-friendly, affordable machine.

Delta DP350

On most drill presses, changing drilling speeds is a manual process of shifting belts between pulley clusters. It can be a grimy job, which is why some never bother doing it. Deltas continuous variable speed, controlled by a lever

on top, makes the task easy as pie. Still, the feature needs a more descriptive display st ale to help set speeds accurately.

The machine's larger ball knobs are nice, and the conventional gooseneck worklight is a standout feature. While this tools

l/3hp motor is small, it still drove test bits through ash with moderate feed pressure.

On tasks such as mortising, it's important to set and hold a precise drilling depth. Delta's tool-free, knurled knob did the job, but double-check that it is snapped securely onto the depth rod threads so it doesn't shift as you work.

Delta provides a rather tiny T-slotted table here, and its gusseted and lipped casting limits your clamping options (a common problem with most

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58 Februa ry 2011 Woodworker $ Journal

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