Customer Reviews

Grizzly G7948 12 Speed 20" Floor Drill Press

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

 

 

After much research and deliberation between the Jet, Delta, and Grizzly, I opted for the extra muscle of the Grizz. I received my drill 7 hours after the window for delivery that was given to me, and frankly, it looked like a bomb had gone off inside the box. The top of the box was not even attached. As the delivery guy was removing it from the truck, the head assembly and column were literally falling out of the package. I declined acceptance of the package. I called Grizzly the next day, and they seemed genuinely concerned, but it took another 10 days for me to receive my drill (when 3-5 days was promised). Once I finally got my drill press in good condition - the second time - I was impressed. It is an absolute behemoth. It is so much more machine than the Delta and Jet. There is A LOT of metal in this machine. It took me and another guy everything we had to get the head on the column. Once assembled, I was impressed with how quiet and stable this 1.5 hp beast ran. While assembly was rather straight forward, I was very unimpressed with the manual. It was dated, and did not reflect many of the updates to the drill press. It had very little on the operation and different speeds of the machine. I called Grizzly and pointed this out, and all they could tell me was that the manual had not been updated. All in all, this is one beefy machine, and I am very impressed with the operation. I really wish that Grizzly would pay more attention to some of the details though, like shipping, customer care, and the manual. I like this tool a lot, but I will think twice now before dealing with Grizzly again.

Great machine. Box had two holes, belt shield has small dent not in area of box damage, dent has no effect on operation. Very smooth running, runout is .002 on the spindel. This was checked by Griz before shipping at my request. Contract tolarence is .006 from the factory. Setup was not a problem as I have a small overhead winch. Belts are fine smooth and non slipping. Depth stop has been reinforced by Griz and is very sturdy.
This is a very well built press comparable to others at nearly twice the price. It is big and heavy but does not occupy much more floor space than the 14 inch it replaced but is three times the press.
If you need a really good drill press buy this one.
I commend Griz for leaving the negative comments on line but some of these must be from some time ago as the problems mentioned have been delt with in a constructive mannor. Jan,28,o8

I purchased one about a month ago. All the elements are there for a good product but detail is missing.

1. Do not use the included manual, use the one on line to assemble the drill press. It is far to heavy to assemble without a hoist or a strong friend to move it from horizontal to vertical.

2. Replace the drive belts on receipt. Measure the spindle belt since the recommended one will be too short.

3. Mine would not drill a hole in thin wall square tubing without stalling the bit and spindle. The trouble shooting guide did not deal with the possibility that the large nut that holds the front pulley to the spindle might be loose. Mine was. There is no set screw on the front pulley. Tightening the front nut requires a very large wrench. Further, to tighten the nut requires immobilising the spindle. Using the taper wedge will probably work. No work torque specifications are in the manual.

4. An incomplete manual and sloppy assembly, as delivered, make completing a usable machine a project that requires more that following the instructions.

5. If you specify a truck with a lift gate to deliver the drill press, be sure and remind the trucking firm of the need for the lift gate when they call to schedule delivery. Maurice Bresenhan Jr.

This is poorest quality "tool" I have in my shop. The Jacobs spindle wobbles, the table adjustments don't lock in place. The table moves while I'm drilling. The vertical shaft was rusted when I received it.

The junk was all shipped in a single box and the 100+ pound motor smashed the shroud around the belts and put a big dent in the vertical shaft. Oh, Grizzly sent a new shroud, but I had to buy a pulley puller to replace it. I also had to buy a block and tackle to lift the humongous motor on top of the vertical shaft. It is one hunk of cast iron that was made in China. They hide the mistakes in casting by adding more iron.

While Grizzly advertises that this drill is variable speed, you have to change two belts and three different variable sized pulleys for a total of 15 different settings.

I will never, NEVER buy anything from Grizzly again.

Aside from all of the negative reviews out there this drill press is worth every penny. I purchased with free freight at $555.00 and pleased. The box came in intact "no Damage", which anyway you look at it is not really grizzlies issue since they are not a freight company.
The product is definetly large, I did not need anything this big but for $11.00 more than the next smaller one what the heck. I have used this machine multiple times now and very satisfied. No quill movement and runs smooth and quiet despite other reviews. Maybe Grizzly had a problem a few years back but not anymore. I have purchased 5 large machine from them with complete satisfaction on each.
Grizzly, keep up the good work on developing good strong machines at prices that the average Joe can afford.

Okay, Grizzly has problems with it's carriers...been covered on most large Grizzly tools as a whole - blame the carrier, not the manufacturer - regardless, Grizzly is always willing to work out any problems you have with their machines.

Please note that this is a truly massive machine, stands about six feet tall and roughy two feet forward and can seriously injure you - I've personally had a seventy pound cross-vise that I didn't clamp done properly get yanked out of my hands and into a finger that would require stiches. That said, this is truly an industrial quality and strength machine. You need to invest in clamping systems (yes, there are many, many kinds for different needs and materials) and have solid experience "behind the wheel" before you decide to graduate to a drill press of this size and power. The owners manual is very sparse on how to use for good reason: Grizzly sells this as an industrial tool, for use by people with experience and that use drill presses and mills daily.

Back to the tool... this thing has an extremly large square table with parallel slots for securing different clamping systems. By far, this is a machine destined for metal working and even has an oil drain in the back left corner. The lowest speed is 180RPM for extremely large holes, while the highest (I believe) is 3200RPM for quick work drilling tiny holes. Yes, like almost all drill presses, you need to change belt configurations to change RPM - gear head drill presses can be changed by a dial, if you are willing to spend $3k+ - and with two belts and five teirs, you get a lot of RPM choices. All said, it takes less than a minute to move a belt around, it's no big deal.

The motor is solid as a rock, my only complaint may be that it is not 240v capable, 110v only. which means it needs a dedicated recepticle while in use since it draws 15-17amps (12 gauge wire recommended). The quil travels a hair over 4" and once adjusted correctly, has almost no runout even drawn all the way down. My chuck is a 3/4", not sure where the 5/8" chuck is coming from for this model. The three handles for this model are long, really long, with nice fat tips that allow you to either finesse the cut or bear down with much force. The rack and pinion for the table moves up and down quite easily for a table weighing almost a hundred pounds, locks solidly in place and tilts.

Personally, I use this table for both metal work and woodworking. While working metal, I use the cast bed and employ an oiler. For working wood, I use an MDF drill press table over the cast bed (easily made). By far the most versitale drill press in my collection of four (two bench, two standing). I've even done some light milling on a cross slide vise with the quil locked in place.

In the end, if you know what you are honestly doing, awesome machine for the price, just awesome. If you just want a drill press sometimes and aren't familiar with their operation, get a smaller floor standing model or benchtop. Regardless, learn how to operate any machine properly and safely before you ever plug it in.

I have purchased several large Grizzly machines in the past and will not be buying any more. The drill press manual is sketchy at best. Changing speeds is a hassle. The belts that came with the press were lousy as they caused much vibration, even in a unit as heavy as this press. The table isn't solid as is shifts no mater how tight I set it. Delivery was a chore. To true the table I had to purchase a 1 3/16 inch socket. I'll give it to one of my sons and probably get the new Powermatic that is coming out this month.

This drill press is enormous. The head on it probably weighs 175# or more. Not an assembly job for the weak or faint of heart.

Table casting is pretty rough in the coolant channels/t-slots, but the table is smooth. The motor runs at 1725 rpm, and the whole machine is very quiet.

The drill press is huge. Can't even compare it to a 17" model. The table is very large. The machine definitely is not top have, with a decent size very heavy cast iron base, it stays where you put it.

Have I mentioned that this is the biggest machine in my shop?

After ordering $26,000 worth of Powermatic equipment from Amazon, I ordered this press. I was called on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and told I had to accept it the next day or agree to pay $50 per day "storage," or it would be returned and I would be charged for all shipping. I had never been given such a ransom demand from any shippers from Powermatic. Grizzly customer service was rude, demanding, and downright embarrassing to deal with. I simultaneously ordered $60 worth of Grizzly attachments, which are now worthless, and they won't accept a return. Lesson - DONT BUY GRIZZLY!!!!!!!

If you value customer service and the ability to easily return defective or mistakenly shipped items you do not want to deal with Grizzly. I have been a Grizzly customer for almost ten years and most of the time things go okay. The equipment is decent quality for a good price.

When things don't go okay you are up a creek. You are now in the world where the customer takes all responsibility and returns can take months to complete correctly. For me this is a huge deal. I have a policy not to deal with companies that infuriate me. I am a pretty mellow, fair minded person. When dealing with a company makes me want to pound my fist against the table I stop dealing with them. Grizzly is one of these.