Harbor Freight's Central Machinery 38142 13" DP

Harbor Freight's Central Machinery 38142 13" DP

A "gem" that offes alot for a little
Published by Knottscott
03-28-2008

Author review
Quality		4
Value		5
Documentation		3
Overall Impression		4
Average 80%

Harbor Freight's Central Machinery 38142 13" DP

I recently purchased the Harbor Freight Central Machinery 38142 13" 16 speed benchtop DP after looking at the Craftsman 12", Hitachi, Ryobi, Harbor Freight, Griz, Northern Tool, and Delta. It was a replacement for my undersized 8" Grizzly. HF isn't known for their stellar quality and I was a bit apprehensive about buying it, but DPs are a fairly simple device and I've heard several good reports from other HF DP owners. At this point I'm fairly impressed, and think I'd need to spend considerably more money to do better. I really didn't notice much quality difference between the group of DPs that I compared. The 38142 is rated at 3/4hp, and has alot more power than my 8" Griz 1/2hp did, so I'm thinking the motor rating is fairly accurate. It weighs ~ 125# so is plenty stable. There's no detectable runout, and the quill travel is > 3". It runs smooth, strong, and true. My only complaint so far is that it's very tall for a bench DP...~ 42". I'm thinking about cutting ~ 3" off the post to bring the height down. It doesn't have any gizmos like laser guides, work light, or digital readouts, but seems to be strong in the basics. This DP retails for $195, but was on sale for $160, plus I had a 10% coupon that brought it down to $144. There are two HF stores in my area that both have liberal return policies, so I felt that my risk was fairly low. I didn't expect it to perform as well as it does, but there definitely are some gems mixed in with the "clutter" at HF.

So far, so good, but I'll post an update if my impression sours over time.

Machined steel column features rack and pinion table movement. Cast iron table is accurately gauged, tilts to 45° left or right. Precision chuck holds bit from the smallest wire gauge to the largest size with 5/8'' shank. Morse taper spindle for versatility. Adjustable depth stop and gauge included. Table and base are slotted for easy vise installation. UL listed.

Chuck capacity: 7/64'' to 5/8''
Column diameter: 2-57/64''
Spindle stroke: 3-1/8''
Motor HP: 3/4
Spindle Taper: MT2
Table size: 11-1/2'' diameter
Spindle Speeds: 16
Swing: 13-7/8''
Spindle RPM: 240 - 3600
Base size: 17-5/8'' x 10''
Height: 41-3/4''
Tool weight: 125 lbs.

ITEM 38142-7VGA

By LCHIEN on 03-28-2008, 12:15 PM

perhaps better to lower your benchtop by 3" than to cut down the column... retains the ability to work on larger items.

By Knottscott on 03-28-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCHIEN

perhaps better to lower your benchtop by 3" than to cut down the column... retains the ability to work on larger items.

Thanks for the good advice. Given other circumstances I'd have to agree, but this particular surface is the top of an "old school" rolling steel tool box built by Kodak shops for use by a maintenance man in the 50's or 60's...built to last. I do have that surface raised ~ 2" by a granite slab extension that I plan to remove, but it won't be enough by itself. The DP table is currently right at eye level and the quill lever is close to 7' at peak height, so I definitely need to do something. Some major rethinking/rearranging the shop may even be in order.

By sweensdv on 03-28-2008, 02:10 PM

Member reviews
Quality		1
Value		1
Documentation		1
Overall Impression		1
Average 20%

Shoe lifts!

How come I have that rating box in my reply and you guys don't? Shouldn't that be just for the OP?

Last edited by sweensdv; 03-28-2008 at 02:12 PM..

By Knottscott on 03-28-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweensdv

Shoe lifts!

How come I have that rating box in my reply and you guys don't? Shouldn't that be just for the OP?

Geez, shoe lifts would be tough to explain to my wife and friends!

(thanks for keeping me humble with that rating!

...I honestly don't know why that pops up...BTDT several times and usually just cancel the post.

)

By RickLab on 03-28-2008, 03:44 PM

I have this same drill press and am pretty happy with it. I don't notice any runout but there is some slight vibration in the motor that I don't seem to be able to get rid of. Nickels do not like being balanced on the table.

I have it sitting on a B&D workmate right now but I intend to build a rolling cabinet for it on a small mobile base that I've had kicking around.

By jhart on 03-29-2008, 12:02 PM

Member reviews
Quality		5
Value		5
Documentation		5
Overall Impression		5
Average 100%

HF DP

Thanks for the review. Sounds like you got a good tool for $144.00. Enjoy!

By alfred on 12-23-2008, 12:34 AM

Member reviews
Quality		5
Value		5
Documentation		5
Overall Impression		5
Average 100%

Satisfaction

I have had this Item 38142 drill press since February,5,2008 when it was purchased from Harbor Freight for my use.I have added a "Magnetic Base Work "Light" (Harbor Freight ITEM 907660) and a "Momentary Power Foot Switch" (Harbor Freight Item 96619) to use with it.I am 100% satisfied with all.I did have missing belts when I got home with it and purchased 2 locally.Harbor Freight sent me the missing belts and now I have Spares which I was going to buy anyway.Being that the carton & foam was torn at the belts,I believe that they fell out or was taken out.Being I took this box knowingly with the understanding that I could bring it back if something was missing,I have no complaint.I live 80 miles round trip away,so took this chance on the last box.$159.99 plus tax was the price paid.

As for the height.I put mine on a 5 1/2 inch high platform with 4 caster wheels.I find this unit is a great height for me to work it out of a chair.I sized it to barely go through my front door for maximum stability.It can be rolled down my wheelchair ramp and set up on a sheet of plywood in the yard.This solves my dust problem.It can also be rolled up my ramp into my S-10 with camper if I wish.4 wooden wedges at the 4 corners stabilise and LEVELS it to perfection simply by tapping them under the platform with a level on the table.I can also clamp 2,6',8' or longer 2x4 or 6s under and to my platform for stability if needed for weight balance.I was going to drill the base and matching braces for this,but found I could clamp them.I love the portability of it on the platform with wheels!

I have used drill presses for 49 years now.Many of them high priced in multimillion dollar trade Schools Navy shipyards,Nuclear Submarines,Submarine Tenders,Machine Shops,Paper mill and Chemical Maintenance shops.It was part of my job as I was a Multi-craft Maintenance worker for most of my life.This is not the best Drill Press that I have ever used.Now I have never checked out a drill press that had closer tolerances than this one.It's alignment was right there with the best,some of which were in the 5 figure slot.It is a GREAT simple cheap Drill Press.It is the best that I have ever used per dollar paid.My chuck is perfectly square with my table.My run out was less than .001 when I checked it out new with my Starrett dial indicator and base.I reset everything several times and rechecked as I could not believe it.You just do not see this!I have used a dial indicator and the rest of alignment tools 1000s of times to align machinery for 49 years now.Even with luck,the bearings and machining tolerances are awesome on mine!I never expected this.It made me worry about the bearings having enough internal clearance.I have changed the bearings repeatedly in some drill presses in the past due to excessive run out and could not get this good with the bearings that I was furnished,though the shafts and chucks were fine.

Now,I do have a very small amount of run out out in my pulleys,But not enough to be any problem with belts or cause wear.I think it is just the outer edges and not the groves.

I got a great one!I would buy it again.I would recommend it to my family and friends.Now!Mine has only been used occasionally,so I have not put it to a decent test for durability!Only time and use will tell this.It is still smooth and is fairly quiet for a drill press when running.

As soon as my warranty is out,I am going to see if the motor can be wired with a switch to reverse it on demand.This would be great for using my left hand drill bits for broken off screws and bolts!alfred

By Knottscott on 12-27-2008, 08:54 PM

Apparently the belts on my DP were pretty good, because vibration is very low. Link belts might be beneficial for those with some vibration...

BTW, the DP continues to impress.

By sparkeyjames on 12-28-2008, 01:49 AM

Member reviews
Quality		3
Value		3
Documentation		3
Overall Impression		3
Average 60%

I also have this DP I purchased mine quite a bit ago say early 2007. Very nice DP. The spindle runout is very acceptable. I think I posted a review of mine back then. The only problem with putting link belts on this DP is that the pulleys are for 3/8 inch belts. This makes the link belts hard to find as everyone stocks the 1/2 inch ones but seemingly no one stocks the 3/8 inch variety. I have never done the belt upgrade and mine has considerable vibration. You can find the 3/8 on McMaster-Carr but I have not seen them anywhere for retail purchase. Plus you need more than 6 feet to cover both belt tracks and it is sold in 5 foot lengths $38.89 or by the foot $6.66 per foot.

My review is here.

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=28527

Last edited by sparkeyjames; 12-28-2008 at 08:01 AM..

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