I tend to lean more to performance and function rather than fit and finish.
Fit and finish is better suited to the end product.
And many/some times a sloppy look will also be a sloppy tool so evaluate accordingly.
Don't get me wrong I still appreciate a good looking tool but if that is where the cost goes then it can be a waste of money.
If the fit and finish allows for better ease of use or precision of it then that is something to be considered for sure.
Also evaluate each tool on it's own merit not just because it is a brand.
Sometimes a mfg while a good overall brand may not make the optimum particular product in each category.
YMMV

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
I tend to lean more to performance and function rather than fit and finish.
Fit and finish is better suited to the end product.
And many/some times a sloppy look will also be a sloppy tool so evaluate accordingly.

We may be thinking of "fit and finish" in somewhat different terms.

I operated all that could be operated without actually powering-up and using the tool. E.g.: Raised, lowered and swung the table. (Didn't tilt it.) Ran the quill up and down. Tested the depth stop. Opened the cover and did a speed change. Felt the switches. Tried a clamp in one of the table's T-slots.

It all felt like a reasonable degree of attention was paid to making it a smoothly-operating piece of kit. IME that tends to be reflected in the performance of the tool.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
If the fit and finish allows for better ease of use or precision of it then that is something to be considered for sure.

That's what I mean when I refer to "fit and finish" in a tool.

E.g.: I own a Stihl chain saw. My old next door neighbour on one side decided he wanted a chain saw. I counseled him not to go cheap. He did, anyway, and was having nothing but trouble with the saw. So I went over to try to help him out. The saw he bought "felt" poorly-made. Even once I got the chain tension right and eventually got it started, it cut terribly. Wasn't even a particularly demanding job.

I could just tell, from handling it, before even starting it, it was inferior. Would have known blindfolded.

This is why I'm somewhat reluctant to purchase something I can't fondle, first.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Also evaluate each tool on it's own merit not just because it is a brand.
Sometimes a mfg while a good overall brand may not make the optimum particular product in each category.
YMMV

IME that is almost invariably true.

Again, Stihl. My Stihl 025 chain saw is a smooth-running piece of gear, as is my three-year-old Stihl pole saw. A buddy of mine gave me his Stihl string trimmer because he doesn't do his own yard work any more. Remarked that he'd bought Stihl based on the company's reputation, but had been disappointed in how badly it vibrated. He was right. Not only that, but it felt clumsy to use. My 30+ year old Shindaiwa trims circles around that nearly-new, hardly-used Stihl string trimmer. My next door neighbour on the other side bought a Stihl backpack leaf blower a couple years ago. I don't know what the deal is with it, but it does not sound right. From watching him use it, I'm pretty sure my 30+ year old Tanaka works as well. Perhaps even my new Echo hand-held blower does.

I have the Jet, and like it quite a lot.

That said, Jet goes on sale often for at least %10 off.

Woodcraft has a thanksgiving time sale, so may want to check that first.

Think with sale I was around $700 after taxes etc.

I have had it for 2 years, and have made many a pen blank with it. Drills straight and true for me every time, unless the bit is bad. I now roll my bits along the table first to make sure they are trueish at least;-)

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
I have the Jet, and like it quite a lot.

The Jet JDP-17, stock nbr. 716300, exactly?

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
That said, Jet goes on sale often for at least %10 off.

I've read Jet sometimes does a 15% off promotion, too.

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
Woodcraft has a thanksgiving time sale, so may want to check that first.

Think with sale I was around $700 after taxes etc.

If that was a JDP-17, that's a helluva price! Local store's price is $1,049 and on-line pricing runs around $1k.

That local store is have a "Demo Days" thing, soon. They'll be discounting, some, then. Probably not that much, though.

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
I have had it for 2 years, and have made many a pen blank with it. Drills straight and true for me every time, unless the bit is bad.

Yeah, low quill runout is a major consideration for me. Especially because it has since occurred to me that, since I no longer have access to an end mill, an adequate DP with an adequate cross slide drill press vise can fill that roll.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Yeah, low quill runout is a major consideration for me. Especially because it has since occurred to me that, since I no longer have access to an end mill, an adequate DP with an adequate cross slide drill press vise can fill that roll.

You can sometimes make a drill press do double duty as a light mill if you really have to, but it's very less than ideal.

Drill presses aren't designed for lateral loading, you can damage them or cause harmful wear by performing milling operations.

The side loading also has a tendency to make the chuck fall right out of the quill because of the type of machine taper used.

Noted, maladat. Thanks for the heads up.

Yes, the JDP-17

Bought after thanksgiving on sale 2 years ago. Price has climbed this last year it appears.

The 5 inch travel was a big deal for pen blanks. I like that the table is already set for woodworking as well.

Changing speeds is not difficult, belt on pulleys. A digital one would be nice, but lots more to go wrong, and honestly I change speeds rarely.

I did put a fence on it, Biesemeyer. Its nice, way less than woodpecker, but since I have the nice woodworking table anyway, woodpecker was not needed.

Good information to know about your DP, DreamerX4.

I'm pretty much settling on that Jet, unless... Talking to the woman that cuts my hair, I mentioned I was shopping for a drill press. She said her dad, who is so badly disabled he's on home care, has a whole garage full of woodworking gear he'll never use again . I had not been aware her dad had been heavily into woodworking. She's going to check to see if he has a drill press, what it is, and if they're interested in selling it.

Hey, that can be a gold mine. Used tools don't hold value, and can be found for great prices, especially in package type deals.

Depending on care of tool of course. Rust that you see can be addressed, but if kept in moist environments, rust is where you can't get to as well.

But, how often are you going to use it? and for what purpose.

Longer the travel, farther from the post, all cost more.

Parts availability are important as well. Look up item online to see information and values new.

Good luck!

In operating a wood products plant we were always attending auctions for industrial machinery. Along the way, I was able to pick up some above average quality equipment for my self. Very few machines needed new bearings or motors replaced. Some of the machines looked rough, but were still quite serviceable. Watch the papers for auctions and figure on paying about 60% of new price or less. Btw, if any of you guys are looking for a horizontal band saw to make pallet parts....

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
Yes, the JDP-17

Bought after thanksgiving on sale 2 years ago. Price has climbed this last year it appears.

Is it a JDP-17 or JDP-17MF? The MF is about $200 to $250 less expensive than the non-MF. The MF is more traditional-looking. The newer non-MF has a less traditional appearance; uses LED lighting; has a laser; has a larger, square table, and uses a different belt idler mechanism. The JDP-17MF is a 16.5" DP. The JDP-17 is a 17".

JDP-17MF



JDP-17



I really like the table on that latter model.

That Jet JDP-17 really looks sweet.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
That Jet JDP-17 really looks sweet.

It sure seems to be, from the reviews I've read and playing with it to the extent I could in the store w/o it being plugged in.

I'm all but decided that's what I'm going for, unless something used appears I can't pass up.

If ONLY I had a bigger garage - I'd be a lot poorer .... but richer in tools.

I have the JDP-17, NOT the MF.

I just emailed a pic to you, is much easier than trying to post on here. :-)

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
If ONLY I had a bigger garage - I'd be a lot poorer .... but richer in tools.

We have a big enough garage, but I've filled it with a bunch of crap. It's now ±90% cleared for the Garage Remediation Project and I'm thinkin' I'm going to find a way to keep it that way.

Part of keeping it that way, so it can be used both as a garage and a workspace, is to make all my heavy, fixed tools mobile. Thus the chop saw is now on a stand and the table saw on a mobile base. Next comes a design for a knock-down, storable woodworking bench.

That last led to finally needing a drill press. I'm going to create a heavy, bolt-together butcher block top (I already have the top). For my design idea I need to be able to drill relatively precise, long holes. If my design idea works, I'll have a knock-down bench that, when assembled, will be as sturdy as any fixed woodworking bench. It'll have true woodworking vises (I've had those for years), bench dogs and everything.

quote:

Originally posted by Dreamerx4:
I just emailed a pic to you, is much easier than trying to post on here. :-)

Yup, dat be da one.

My "shop" should look so good

It's done. Jet is promoting a Black Friday 15% off sale on its machinery. Called my favourite local tool store and, yep: They'd apply it to in-store purchases of in-stock items. So I went over there. Turned out they didn't have it in stock, but there were advantages to having me order in-store and having it shipped there, so I did.

$943 out the door. Should have it in a couple weeks or so.