Clarke Floor Drill Press Choice

[theMenace]

Last day of the MM sale, I'm mulling over upgrading to a floor standing drill, having not had a lot of luck finding a decent one used.
Clarke have a choice of two around £340 (+VAT), they seem exactly the same, apart from one having a round table and one having a square table.

Does anyone know if this is indeed the only difference, and if so, which is the better option for metalworking? They both tilt to +/- 45 degrees, which would be useful, and I reckon you can get a mole clamp and mini vice to fit either.
Also if there are any opinions on the quality etc.?
Cheers

Clarke CDP352F 16 Speed Floor Standing Industrial Drill Press with Round Table (230V) - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

www.machinemart.co.uk

Clarke CDP452F 16 Speed Floor Drill Press with Square Table (230V) - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

www.machinemart.co.uk

(reposted here as I put the last thread in the wrong section)

 

[frank horton]

spend the same money on a Meddings etc and u'll have an accurate drill for life....worth the wait....
there are even light duty used milling machines for that money.......

 

[Richiew]

I bought the round tabled one years ago and quickly developed buyer's remorse. Run out was terrible.

I'd look harder for an old British drill. £400 buys a lot second hand. I understand it's not very convenient but I still think it would give the best outcome.

 

[Arc Tourist]

............................................. I'm mulling over upgrading to a floor standing drill, having not had a lot of luck finding a decent one used. .................................................

Have a look on the " project machinery .co .uk " site.

 

[Richiew]

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200 quid Hexham

 

[Smallfry]

I bought the round tabled one years ago and quickly developed buyer's remorse. Run out was terrible.

I'd look harder for an old British drill. £400 buys a lot second hand. I understand it's not very convenient but I still think it would give the best outcome.

I have the same remorse with a Sealey branded one. 13mm chuck, terrible runout, very noisy, and the table deflects when pressurised. I still have it for rough jobs.

Bought an old ex school Viceroy one, not in the same class as Meddings or Fobco, but good enough for £50. Despite the arc of shame. None of my doing

 

[theMenace]

Excellent feedback guys, thanks!
Always found Clarke stuff to be hit or miss so great to get some opinions, I'll save my money this time.

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200 quid Hexham

Will probably consider that one, there's no picture of the table and doesn't say whether three phase, worth asking though. Would 500RPM be slow enough for metalworking with blacksmithing bits? Seems fast.

 

[Richiew]

I noticed the table too. It's well hidden, isn't it? To be fair most of the old ones are carrying some damage.

There are geared drills are out there with slower speeds but they often carry some damage on worn gears. I still don't think the Clarke will hold up very well if you are using large drill bits with it regularly.

Plenty of drill speed charts out there to guide you with regard to speeds. I have a geared drill that goes down to 71 RPM but I think a decent drill sharpener is a better investment if you are making lots of big holes.

 

[theMenace]

I noticed the table too. It's well hidden, isn't it? To be fair most of the old ones are carrying some damage.

There are geared drills are out there with slower speeds but they often carry some damage on worn gears. I still don't think the Clarke will hold up very well if you are using large drill bits with it regularly.

Plenty of drill speed charts out there to guide you with regard to speeds. I have a geared drill that goes down to 71 RPM but I think a decent drill sharpener is a better investment if you are making lots of big holes.

Cutting fluid always helps as well.
Any recommendations on drill sharpeners? I have a Lidl one which I gave up on fairly quickly, and have since been using a bench grinder with varying results.

 

[RWD3M]

This:

and a Mk1 eyeball. Served me well for 45 years!

 

[MattF]

and a Mk1 eyeball.

Took me a moment to twig what you meant.

 

[MattF]

Cutting fluid always helps as well.
Any recommendations on drill sharpeners? I have a Lidl one which I gave up on fairly quickly, and have since been using a bench grinder with varying results.

I think some on here use a Drill Doctor(?), but as RWD3M says, a bench grinder does the job. Just takes some practice.

What do you mean by varying results?

 

[Smallfry]

Its difficult to get the centre in the right place doing it by eye. This is good enough for most jobs, but if accuracy is important, I always use a new one.

 

[MattF]

Its difficult to get the centre in the right place doing it by eye. This is good enough for most jobs, but if accuracy is important, I always use a new one.

A good rule helps, on that front. One with fractional graduations. Not as easy on smaller bits though. Measure & touch-up to equalise.

 

[Smallfry]

Excellent feedback guys, thanks!
Always found Clarke stuff to be hit or miss so great to get some opinions, I'll save my money this time.


Will probably consider that one, there's no picture of the table and doesn't say whether three phase, worth asking though. Would 500RPM be slow enough for metalworking with blacksmithing bits? Seems fast.

Just put one on Facebook spots.