Garage Shop: Tools

Used many drill presses, but never owned one.

Finally put together this Wen unit I got from Home Depot.

You can find it on Amazon, but I got it cheaper from HD. That and I could inspect the box before taking delivery so that's a plus.

Assembly was a cinch. Just need to wipe off all the crud they lather it up in.



Not sure how useful the light is, but it must help a tiny bit at least.



The extension is a nice touch in case you've got something rather long and don't want it to overhang so much.



Also has a laser, cause lasers are the future.



All that's left to do is permanently affix it to my bench. Having very little real-estate, and having a bad back and not being able to make this portable, I figured this would be the best location.



The benefit here is that I'll never drill something over 5-6' long, and if I need to get lower on something, the press swings out to the side.

This would allow me to use a jackstand in place of the garbage can and use the press like a full-sized stand up model.

I haven't used it yet, but as far as operation goes, it's pretty damn quiet and smooth. No visible runout that I can see which is impressive for a chinese drill press.

As for the lever on the left, it's to adjust the speed. Very convenient as opposed to having to pull off belts and put them on different pullies.

 

how is that US General stuff. For being Harbor Freight and not exactly cheap there is a lot to lose if its not up to snuff

 

Do you know the model? Had my eye on the WEN 4214T for almost a year now. Finding it hard to justify the cost, but seems to be worthwhile.

 

I've seen your tools, you've got good stuff!

This thing is cheap, considering I was looking at buying a Jet model for a good $300 more.

It's the 4214, which is the same as the 4214T but different packaging (or so I've read everywhere). It's the biggest model you can get in a benchtop version, and the only benchtop versions you can get that don't use a multi-pulley system for changing speeds.

Got it for $246 total (already including sales tax).

Just decided to do a test run and it quickly and effortlessly ran these holes through 3/16th cold rolled steel.



I'd buy some sort of vise for it, but the platform is really small so I just use clamps like most people.

Bought these bits as they're highly regarded for mild steel.



For someone that will drill maybe 12-24 holes per year, this thing should last me a long time.

 

I run those bits. I look for them around Christmas at Home Depot. Thet offer a Larger Set for a Great Price. I would recommend those bits to Friends and Even People I Don't Like.

 

I'd definitely get the larger set, but the smaller box is enough for most jobs. That and they're cheap too!

Can't wait to see the Christmas sales on them though. Bad enough I buy tools I don't need just cause they're on sale

 

From what I’ve heard, they’re supposed to be excellent for the money

 

I have the 72" Tool Coffin and no complaints.

 

im sporting the 72 myself and its working out fine but I need to get 2 bank now to fit the rest of my tools.....

 

The five drawer roll carts are really popular at my old dealership for a lot of the guys. One of the guys bought the 72inch general box to store all the tools he didn't use daily and he liked it for that. He did have to spread the sockets/extensions/ratchets/breaker bars out over two drawers since all of them in the top drawer had it bowed down in the middle.
The two issues I foresee with the 72 inch box as a primary box is, 1 the weight of all the tools, snap on box metal is thicker and shaped so its reinforced to handle extra weight, 2 how the slides handle after being opened 50 times a day 5 days a week year after year. I have a cheap husky 30 inch box for my house the slides while plenty for being opened 3-4 times a week, I can feel that they don't roll nearly as smoothly as my snap on box slides which still feel like new after 7 years.
The icon boxes do feel much closer to snap on quality of metal and slides, the icon boxes are also deep, I think 24 inches deep which is extremely nice.

 

So I bought a set of those and had them dull out on me stupid quick compared to my titanium sets that is supposed to be not as good.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...m-Drill-Bit-Set-23-Piece-48-89-4631/205879024

But I also do all my drilling by hand and don't have a press so that could be my issue. But with enough patience I still have drilled 3/4" holes through 3/8" no problem.

More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr

 

I have the 44" for home gamer use, and I love it. I wish I had gotten the 5x inch box, but the layout was different that the 44 inch and I didn't like it as much. I'd buy one again in a heartbeat.

Downside is they've really upped the price on them, and discounts/coupons are harder to find. I think I got mine for $399 ($499 reg) and now they want $600 plus I think.

 

they have gone up in price just like everything else. i dont think HF just upping the price for no reason. just upping the price in line with everything else going up. The 72" has gone up almost $600 tho

 

I was lucky and got mine for $999 on sale and I don't think I've seen it that low since then.

 

Talking to the store manager this weekend at the parking lot sale another increase is coming plus or minus $100 bucks

 

Not wothout reason, just that the cheap but well made value proposition of HF / US General boxes is losing its luster is all I was trying to say.

 

My hectic garage. And according to the sticker to horse power ratio the tool box has more then the taco.

 

Remembered that I wanted to mount my drill press.

5 minutes later -







Thinking I'll add a second nut on each bolt to act as a lock nut. Too much torque could crack any drill press base.

Even though the base itself has a lot of weight, minimizing the possibility of it toppling over, I want to take no chances.

 

And I couldn't leave it alone, went keyless chuck