Customer Reviews

Delta SM300 Shopmaster Bench 1/4 Horsepower 10 Inch Drill Press

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is my first drill press, so I did a little research before buying it. I was looking for a smaller press for precise work with stone beads and fine diamond bits. After realizing that smaller didn't mean cheaper I realized that this 10" machine would be good enough (small runout and a chuck that goes nearly to zero for holding small bits), and also allow me to do some small woodworking projects. Setup was very easy. The manual has good pictures and explanations at each step. Somehow figure 31 has the wrong picture behind the labels, but anyone who ever used a drill chuck shouldn't need figure 31 anyway. Bolts to hold the base down to your workbench are included, as are allen wrenches. The other tools you'll need to set it up are a soft mallet and an adjustable open-end (crescent) wrench or 12mm metric wrench for tightening the column to the base. You'll also need a 40W max. reflector bulb for the built-in lamp. Oh, and rags for cleaning oil from pretty much everything.

Operating this machine is as easy as any floor model you may remember from shop. I haven't tried tilting the table yet, but other controls are well marked and easy to understand including the depth stop. The motor runs quite smoothly and quietly, which is nice after using a portable variable-speed drill. I saw a review in Popular Mechanics that seemed to suggest the motor on this machine is underpowered, but from what I've tried so far there is no noticeable drag with up to 3/8" bits in hardwood even at the highest speed setting (which isn't recommended according to the speed chart included in the manual).

assembly was a snap it took longer to unpack than to assemble,easy instructions though wasn't necessary to even have them if you have ever had a drill press, I needed a smaller drill press for smaller items and this works just fine, my floor model gets a lot of dust now, the other one I was considering had a laser sight but I grew up eye-balling it and just kind of prefer doing the job myself that is part of the fun of the hobby is doing it your self . I have a laser chop saw and laser radial arm, but other than turning it on to see if it worked initially , the laser has not been on since. smooth operating piece of equipment my table was square and plumb right out of the package

Purchase was painless and had a large array of reviews to help in selection process. Assembly was simple with easy to follow instrustions. I did take the liberty of lubricating moving parts as assembly progressed. There is a Worm-Gear that is not easily accessed after assembly that should see grease. The Drill Press works very well and is better than expected for the price. Delta provides useful RPM Tables based on materials that saves alot of guess work and burnt bits. Don't expect to drill holes in Plate Steel all day but for a mostly part time mechanic this little Drill Press was a good addition.

This Delta benchtop drill press is great for the smaller projects I needed it for. It drilled right through some half inch steel with a cobalt drill bit. It is quality constructed and well worth the low price I paid. Delta has a winner here. I would recommend this unit for anyone looking for a small inexpensive drill press.

The right size drill press for my needs. I've used it several times so far, and it has work fine - including drilling holes into glass blocks. With the Amazon discount and free shipping, a great value for under $95.00.

This is my first (but won't be my last)drill press. On the plus side, it's easy to assemble, easy to use, doesn't take up much space and does accurate work. Once it was set up, the machine did exactly what I needed it to do - at first.

The drill press hasn't broken or had any critical adjustments slip, it's just that after I'd used it on a few projects, I began to realize how handy a drill press can be. That's when I started running up against the SM300's limitations. Number one - it's seriously under-powered, something I noticed the first time I chucked up a forsner bit. Number two - it's seriously under-powered. Number three - The manual lists recommended speeds for various operations. Under forsner bits (hardwood), instead of saying not applicable or not recommended, the table lists a speed setting that isn't available on the machine.

Adjusting the belt in order to change speed settings is, although it's a minor concern, a bit of a hassle. Nothing serious, just a pain.

Someone having more experience with drill presses would have probably understood the machine's limitations better than I did. Having now learned, I hope to replace my SM300 in the near future.

If you don't anticipate a need to use forsner bits and/or solely work with softwood, the SM300 is a nice, solid, dependable little machine. If you plan on doing genreal woodworking (My primary use for the machine) go for something that has a bit more muscle.

I have owned this model Drillpress for over two years, and use it at least three times a week. It is a great drillpress. Escpecially for $99.00. To date I haven't had any problems with the motor, or any other part of this machine for that matter. I have literraly made over 3000 holes to date.


For the money you can't go wrong!!!!!

I just received my Delta sm300 drill press. The instructions were simple and assembly took around 1 hr, incliding opening up the box. It works like a charm and really looks good.

Easy to set up and clean up. Gets the job done. Well built.

The delta SM300 drill press can be purchased for$99.99 new at most of your hometown hardwares. I just purchased one. Lewis Baker