Any recommendations for a small drill press?

[Matthew Lau]

As postpartum is starting to settle for my wife, I've started to get back into guitar building/woodworking .

I'm thinking of gradually getting some tools off Facebook market place.

Do you have any recommendations for a good small drill press?
I'm not sure if I should go the Ryobi route, or an older small walker turner.

I had a walker turner that was about 15" but gave it to my friend...it was super heavy with no platform lift.

Ideally. I'd like a drill press that is good enough to do accurate work, but can be put away when I'm not using it to make space for baby stuff.

[Bob Gramann]

Long ago, I had the small Ryobi drill press. I broke off the table pressing frets. Replacement parts were available. I fixed it, sold it, and got a beefier press. Now, I have the Nova Voyager floor model. It’s too big for you, probably, but it’s a great tool. It’s tight and the variable speed feature is wonderful. They make a bench model. You probably won’t like the price.

[Jarno Verhoeven]

I have a tiny Proxxon pillar drill (TBM220), bought it for drilling PCB's, super accurate, which is the reason I still use it for pilot holes. Unsuitable for anything over 3mm (1/8") and even that is making it work hard, it will not do 3mm in steel. But, it's got collet chucks, and those are extremely accurate.
Main drill press is a Bosch PBD40, it works, it's got bells and whistles, but it is not particularly stable, and the wheel is wildly un-ergonomical if you have to drill a number of holes (cramps).

[Jim McConkey]

I went the cheap route and got an inexpensive Wen table top drill press. Far more power than anything I used to own, with variable speed and laser crosshairs even, at a price which didn't break the bank. I am not fond of Chinese equipment, mostly because of the quality, but I have found it to be much better than expected and have never had an issue with any Wen tool.

[Matthew Lau]

Thanks for the input!

[Matthew Lau]

update: I got a Jet 12" variable speed drill press!

I just need to get a chuck key, platform arm, and build a cover for the pulley!
Thanks everyone.

Any tips for a drill press table?

[Jarno Verhoeven]

Maybe see if you can order spareparts from Jet? Especially a stable platform is crucial. What parts don't you have, platform wise?

[Matthew Lau]

Update, I got the chuck key and platform arm (to raise and lower the platform).
I was just wondering if there's a premade drill press table that you'all would recommend.

As for the pulley cover, I'm thinking of making one using epoxy reinforced denim (from an old pair of jeans).

[Matthew Lau]

Btw, I'll have to post pictures of the drill press cover when I'm done.
I'm using an ikea packaging sleeve and tape as the template for the denim to be molded over.

Not sure if I should do another thread?