My present
drill press is an older Eagle Model MADP062PMA, 16 Speed, 3/4 H.P with
a 5/8 inch chuck that I got from my brother a couple of years ago.
I purchased some "T" slot from Rockler
and made a larger table and fence for it. I also went to one of the
local Big Boxes and bought a couple of aluminum yardsticks and utilized
them on both sides of the table. This helps me in lining up the fence
square to the table. I also purchased some hold down knobs for both
the table slots and the fence track so that I could use them to support
fixturing.
The
drill press sits on the left side of the South wall of the shop.
You can see a small 10 inch Delta table saw just to the right of the drill
press. The Delta saw is a Model TS200 LS and I bought this saw when
I first decided to get into the hobby because it was not too expensive
(in fact it was very cheap....somewhere in the $100 range) and it really
amazed me what it could do! I'll tell you this, the Delta saw has
no problem ripping a full sheet of 3/4" plywood. The only problem
I had was getting enough roller supports (and extra help) in place to be
able to safely do the cutting of that plywood! The fence is kind
of "Rinky-Dink" but with a little patience, can be set up accurately enough
to do major projects such as the sewing and hobby hutch that I made for
my wife (photos below right). 
I also
have a smaller bench top drill press that I use for the smaller jobs or
if I have a couple of operations going and I don't necessarily want to
keep making setup changes. It's a Central Machinery Model SKU 7242,
5 Speed with a 1/2 inch chuck. You'll be able to see it if you continue
the tour and catch a view of the left side of my East shop wall.
All
in all, I have been pleased with what I have been able to do with these
older and lesser than top of the line tools. I do have some newer
and better quality stuff to show you.....so it's not all old, but what
excites me is that I know that I am going to be continually learning and
improving my skills using the older tools and, with a little luck, be able
to acquire better quality tools down the road. Isn't that the desire
that most of you have? |
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