Looking for a small drill press to do some trit install work on flashlights. Would prefer to buy off Amazon and for under $100 if possible. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the reply. I was looking at that one but don’t know if it would be good for drilling the small holes needed for trits, in the narrow metal of a flashlight.
At that budget point, you will have limited choices. I'm not current on what is out there. Maybe consider used through Craig's list as most home owners don't put much wear on drill presses and they sell used at a significant discount.
Since you won't need much power and plan to make precisely placed holes, probably the biggest thing you will be concerned about is the lateral play in the plunger (not sure of the name, Maybe spindle shaft?). While unplugged (turn on to test that it has no power before hand), lower the spindle all the way and then grasp the chuck and try to get a sense of how much play exists. You don't want the drill dancing around on your lights while it attempts to find purchase.
I asked my stepfather to check when he goes to the Canton Tx flea market to try to find me one. I told him what you said as far as testing its steadiness. Thanks for the advice! I’d much rather have a stable used one than ruined flashlights via a new one that’s unsteady.
I have the Grizzly brand 8” drill press. It’s rock solid except for the cheap plastic chuck guard they put on it. I removed it. But as long as your drill bit isn’t wobbly, it’s rock solid.
That's a great idea. My father has found some amazing deals on high quality used tools at flea markets. Plus, if your father is retired, he will love having a project that makes him feel more useful. I think I will ask my father to do the same thing because the play in my cheap HF drill press is killing me.
By the way, you will absolutely love having a drill press. There is so much you can do with them.
He’s semi retired and when I talked to him, he sounded a little excited at the opportunity to find one. He kinda implied a reason for a special trip for him and my uncle.