Spent time yesterday re shimming the table lift gear and it works OK. I was wrong on the collar with the drive being Aluminum it is cast iron after all.
I did assemble the rest of the drill press and measured the run out on the spindle with the chuck and it still will only deflect with pushing laterally about .005 each way, measuring quill fully extended and pushing on one side side then the other.
Just spinning with chuck installed with decent drill rod it stays around, .005" I did put a vice on and mounted some 3/8" thick steel and drilled some 1/2" holes with a Dull drill bit on purpose, Which takes some real pressure to do. It deflects the table as much or more than my old smaller bench top which has a much smaller diameter column but Is way thicker steel.
I tried to stop the motor by plunging the cut and it slipped the belts instead. Motor seems plenty good enough.
The supplied belts are really low quality and with quality belts am sure the head would be a smooth runner.
That leaves me with the column metal thickness being thin... along with the tables Aluminum casting table pivot support and lock to collar mount that Is flexing under pressure.
Putting aside the checkout and just " actually Using" the drill press it is a major step up in convenience from the small bench unit. This new one has less run out. Having a crank for the table lift is very nice
I started with trying to buy the next smaller $209 unit and already basically doubled the price. $400 isn't a huge amount these days.
After looking at the $700 12 speed press reviews It actually had a few complaints for a Very loose spindle on "some" of them. I do have the 1/2 knee mill for accurate drilling if there is enough z clearance and a 0-300 RPM Mag drill with cutters and drill adaptor.
Thinking as long as I make sure to have sharp bits this drill press could be OK, Not great, but usable.
Tried piece's of 3/8"- 1/2" steel in the vice and some 1" holes. Other than the belts being cheap and slipping it did drill the holes. But It is enough Flex that it can be felt by how much you rotate the spindles rack and can be easily seen while applying pressure.
It does BUG me.
They had to ruin the design by using Aluminum on two castings instead of cast Iron and the obviously not rigid enough .060 "Tubing"
The other SKU has a Different column as well. No Aluminum and double the amp motor. I think it is what this model should be.
After mulling it over, I disassembled and re-boxed It for return.
Will wait for January and see if a 20% off coupon shows up- and try the $700 12 speed 300LB press Maybe the extra pounds are where this model is missing them.
Will definitely open it up in store and check the column thickness and spindle play.
I have only returned one other item in years of buying HF stuff, that was a laser level.
Actually the same kind of problem, they used cheap plastic for the base to center pivot which made the laser useless since the "flex" and play would introduce inches of error in vertical distance at 10 feet away.
ps. Will keep checking CL but so far everything is more money and that includes HF models that are bench top.
