Local Aldi still has a few of these sitting around - https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-sat-28-…
Undecided if it looks more like a toy or a drill press from the future! Has anyone bought one or had any experience with them? How long till they go on clearance usually, if at all, for an item like this?
The work platform is fixed and the drill head moves up and down as needed and is gear driven. The laser pointer was slightly misaligned on mine but not far off. Bolts supplied for mounting. If need screws then u buy. Easy to put together. Depth gauge works well. It has 13mm chuck. Not sure of min size drill bit.
Min size, according to the box, is 1.5mm.
BobD is there much movement/play in the chuck at all - does it drill a nice round hole?
Sorry no help there. I had an urgent trip to hospital and still there. Have not seriously used it yet. 1.5mm drill is not too bad for min size bit.
No worries, hope all is ok on your end.
@highon2str: got out yesterday (Monday 14). Checked the drill shaft / chuck for play and seems tight but haven't done a drill in metal yet. Is there any other Qs you got for me?
@BobD: Thanks for checking, seems like this new model is improved over previous aldi ones. Power wise at 710W it seems beefy for the price. Will see if Aldi have any left!
I read the reviews on the sheppach, which looks identical, they look good for the money, there is some travel in the spindle 1-1.5mm movement to the left, so it's ok but it's not going to be as solid or as accurate as the bosch they all copy or a larger one but plenty good for general stuff/hobbyist.
The movement comes into play mostly when drilling harder stock like aluminium and steel, less so with wood.
I notice it’s back on sale 28th May.
I have a non-digital one, but the one bit of feedback I can offer is to look at how the drilling platform (if that's the correct term) is raised and lowered.
Fancier presses have a toothed winding handle to raise and lower it - my one (also Aldi brand) is simply a pressure grip on the shaft, which is difficult to adjust.