Ray,
I can't give you much help on the tapping options but I do know that you should be sure to get a chuck that can take the largest drill bit you own and then some. I'm constantly trying to fit huge drill bits into my benchtop Sears and it's very annoying. Personally I like having a key chuck on my drill preses but that's just taste. If you call MSC and talk to them they can probably help you answer a lot of your questions. They usually have very good technical help. Also keep in mind the cost of shipping a drill press. It will probably weigh 100 lbs or more and the shipping can become very expensive. You might consider looking for someone local and especially for a used drill press locally. As long as it comes from a nice shop that knew the limitations of the machine and didn't abuse it it will work fine.


Reuben