I understand what you are saying about quality versis name. One can no longer purchase a name brand tool and expect it to be a quality product based on the brand name. Even Powermatic is being made in Asia these days.
I think Porter Cable, Delta, Black & Decker are one now. I know Powermatic, Jet and Performax have merged. I would suggest looking at grizzly. I have been happy with their products and service so far. My drillpress is an older Jet; but, my tablesaw, jointer and planer are grizzly. They sell direct. There is no dealer. The theory is they can provide a better tool for a less price. Terry On Wed, 7 Jan 2009 10:15:01 -0500 (EST)you write: > >It seems that the more information I have access to, the harder it is for >me to decide what is good information and what isn't. > >I read a long article with lots of stats on 9 different drill presses. >The delta 17-965 came out on top in my mind. It had all the features and >ranked, along with others, at the top of the line for things like most >quill travel, deepest throat, largest table, most horse power, and it had >the least run-out of any of the presses reviewed. > >I then started shopping for that particular press. Amazon no longer >carries that model, but there were many reviews. The majority of reviews >ranked the unit five out of five. So I looked at the negative reviews. A >few people complained that the unit vibrated badly, that the pulleys were >out of alignment and couldn't be made to line up. I noticed that the >negative reviews were newer than the positive reviews, and then found >something that, at least claimed, that the press was now being made in >China and the quality had degraded. > >I sometimes get pretty discouraged when shopping for stuff as it never >seems that you get the whole story and it makes it impossible to feel >confident that you are spending your hard earned money wisely. > >I even subscribe to Consumer Reports and get discouraged with them as >well. Last year, I researched air conditioners on Consumer Reports. I >found the AC unit I wanted. When I went to purchase it, it no longer >exists, but I could get the unit that replaced the one I wanted. I was >assured that it was the same unit, just with some very minor changes. >When I researched that unit, I found that it was ranked near the bottom of >the list in many other review sites. > >Anyway, has anyone purchased a floor model drill press recently and has >good or bad comments about it? > >Thanks. >
