Customer Reviews

Grizzly G7945 5 Speed Bench-Top Radial Drill Press

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have a prior version of this machine, but appears identical in all non-cosmetic respects. Like others, it has a lot of runout in the chuck.

I generally avoid cheap tools (because I'm always disappointed), but Grizzly has often received good reviews in the magazines, so I thought I'd give it a chance. I wish I hadn't.

The coup-de-grace was that the table fell off when its single retaining bolt broke out three threads holding it in the column casting. Upon closer inspection, it was tapped at about a 10-degree angle to square. Bad enough, but when it appeared that I could simply get a standard bolt half an inch longer to catch the undamaged threads was I in for a surprise. It uses a very non-standard 1/2"-12 bolt. No one locally carries them, not even the industrial suppliers. So much for repairability using standardized components.

Grizzly was happy to sell me one at $.75 but then wanted $7.70 for shipping and handling! And neither they nor I could guarantee that a longer bolt would even solve the problem. When I complained, they suggested I could add another $24 of accessories for the same shipping and handling charge. If I am truly a valued customer, as their e-mail states, they would have sent me one free of charge.

This machine disappoints me each time I use it. Generally, poor quality. Not enough power, especially when drilling in positions other than vertical. Too many adjustments have to be made. I'm shopping for a new drill press to replace this.

I've had the G7945 for about a month now and it is quite possibly the worst money I've ever spent. I should've came here first for the reviews. The belt that came with it cause some serious vibration and it also caused unacceptable runout. Grizzly tech support was basically not helpful. I replaced the v-belt and it is now working better although I'm still getting quite a bit of vibration. I also noticed the 5 step cone motor pulley was wobbling; probably the cause of most of the vibration. I'm going to live with what I have now and when I decide to change the motor out, I'm going to put in machined pulleys taboot. Although this DP is a piece of junk, it does have some potential if the right equipment and replacement parts are put in it. Seeing that the higher end Radial DP that Grizzly puts out is $545, I could get a new motor and some machined pulleys and I'll probably break even.

I'm sorry to see everyone trashing this piece of equipment. I've had mine for a year and keep finding more ways to use it. I got it for the versatility (telescoping & rotating). Of course it is underpowered, vibrates too much and is only marginally accurate, but you can respect it for what it is, a cheap but versatile tool that doesn't take over a small shop. I don't regret my purchase in the least, but I knew what I was getting into. Go ahead, spend $600 on the Delta; it will do one thing really well. If you're not too fussy and just want to get a hole drilled just about anywhere, consider a radial drill press.

Generally poorly made and inaccurate. The customer service is even worse.