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Reply to "Opinions sought -- Microlux Variable Speed Drill Press from MicroMark"

Having spent a lot of time using drill presses on wood, metal and plastic, I'd suggest looking for one that has an adjustable height work table.  With this MicroLux, I think it's likely you'd often need to block up your work pieces.  Blocking up makes clamping the work piece more cumbersome and less secure.  If you're drilling into metal, this often means starting with a small hole and drilling progressively larger holes to get to the size you need (even with a step bit).  Small diameter bits are generally shorter than the larger diameter bits, requiring lowering the work piece as hole size increases and bits are longer.

I have several drill presses ranging from a vintage high end Craftsman Floor model to a Harbor Freight cheapo (~$75 in today's dollars). If you're doing light drilling and the chuck is true on the arbor, a less expensive model will work fine.  A depth gauge is also a good feature to have, but in my opinion mechanical ones work well.

Whichever drill press you choose, X-Y vices are very useful.  They're available from numerous third party vendors and will adapt to most any drill press' adjustable height work table.

Last edited by SteveH

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
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