iowafarmboy has the right idea shop for the good used deal. I recently bought a Sibly camel back press for $125. It was made in the 40's and will drill circles around any asian drill. If you are planning to use it on steel you should get a press that will get down to at 200 rpms with a good sturdy column and base. The heavier the press is the less trouble you'll have with chatter and wondering holes. The new China presses are light and junkie and generally have really bad chucks. There a lot of older good used presses for the same money or less than the new China junk.
hoggyrubber have you ever tried Holloways Industrial sales for used machinist tooling and such. Hes on Prince Lane off of Trafficway.
