Atlas Benchtop Drill Press

[ebarker9]

I've been needing a drill press for a few tasks recently and trying to find something on Craigslist. I came across this:

Vintage Atlas Drill Press

I recognize that the suggestion is usually to get a floor press but I haven't had too much luck finding something appealing. I'm tempted to just go with the Porter Cable unit at Lowes but assuming that I can do better with an older unit. Anything specifically that I should be looking for? I'd like to be able to use large-ish forstner bits in hardwoods, but I'm not making anything in volume so speed isn't necessarily a high priority.

[paarker]

I would buy the Atlas! The thing looks practically brand new in the pictures. Quit posting and go buy!

[Jonny Rocket]

Get the atlas. That quick change depth stop is sweet.

[iclark]

Jonny Rocket said:

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Get the atlas. That quick change depth stop is sweet.

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Based on the depth stop, it looks like it has a better than average spindle travel, too.

[Kudzu]

No experience with Atlas but I have found the old stuff to be far superior to new value engineered tools. I hated a new Delta I bought and danced the day it left and two old Craftsman replaced it.

[skizzo]

Very nice drill press, looks like a beauty. You certainly won't find anything better on a store shelf for the money. Even includes a mortising setup and holddowns, sweet. Good luck.

[MarkSingleton]

RUN don't walk. Get it.

[Slav Jelesijevich]

You can find a floor model base and column in the future to convert. It has a 2 3/4" column, all 14" and 15" drill presses use the same. That is a super clean drill press, if it runs as good as it looks you got a real good deal.

Slav

[ebarker9]

Thanks all, I'm going to check it out this morning. It's a model 1020 with a 1/2" Jacobs chuck.

Edit: it's now sitting proudly on my workbench. Came with the catalog and original manuals for the drill press and mortising attachment. I forgot to grab the chuck key so I haven't been able to use it for anything yet but it runs fairly smoothly. Probably needs lubrication and a new belt wouldn't hurt. Appears to be a bit more runout than I'd like so I'll have to address that but overall very happy. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Dan Moening]

I'm glad you got it as I believe these wonderful old machines are getting harder to find.

Due to your post, I recognized this one left after the Butte Mountain fire destroyed a home (photo by Paul Kitagaki Jr. for the Sacramento Bee):