The drill press is an essential woodworking tool to have in the workshop. The woodworkers use it to make holes of different diameters using different drill bits. They’re available in stationary and benchtop versions to help you complete professional-grade woodworking projects. With a drill press, you’ll be able to bore precise holes and also counterbore or countersink the holes to use sanding attachments. The drill presses available on the market come in a huge variety based on size, brand, power, portability, pricing, etc. So you need to be spot on to get the best drill press suited to your needs.
To help you do that, we take our time to take you through a detailed discussion on drill presses, including the buying guide and some top-notch reviews. Before moving into the main review section, let’s check out some of the factors to consider before buying the most suitable drill press. Here we’ll also answer some FAQs to clarify the issue better.
Factors to Consider Before Buying A Drill Press
Drill Press or Drill Machine
A drill press, a drill machine, produces holes in hard materials. It’s held in a rotating spindle to be fed into the workpiece clamped in a vise on a table. Now that we know what it is let’s look at some of the other factors below.
Powerful Motor
When buying a drill press for professional use, one must have a powerful motor because rigid materials and making holes with larger diameters require more power to drill through. The drills with 1/2, 2/3, or 1 horsepower motors should be sufficient for regular, everyday drilling.
Drill Size
One of the essential factors to pay attention to is the size of the drill. The tool’s compactness becomes crucial if you tend to work on the move and need a portable drill press. In that case, a benchtop drill press should be your go-to option. On the other hand, if you want to do heavy-duty drilling for larger projects, you can switch to the floor-mounted type. But make sure you’ve enough space to accommodate it.
Drill Bit
The drill presses power the drill bit to cut through the workpiece by rotation. The drill grasps the upper end of the bit, known as the shank in the chuck. So make sure to choose a drill press to accommodate the bit’s shank needed for your project in the drill chuck. Generally, the twist drill bit is used in woodworking projects. These bits range in diameter from 0.002” to 3.5” and can be long up to 25.5”.
Drilling Speed Levels
Variable speed levels in a drill press are another vital factor to check out. The wider the range of speed levels, the more expensive the drill presses tend to be. Having the drill speed variety is essential to get the right adjustability required for different jobs.
Precision Drill
Getting a precision drill press is essential that’s compatible with micro-adjustments like feed rate & output speed. You can make precise holes to ensure the accuracy of your project. The laser precision feature can be another inclusion to choosing a high-end precision drill press.
Chuck Size
The chuck’s size determines the bit’s shank size, hence the size of the hole you look to bore. The larger the diameter of the shank, the larger the chuck size you need. The larger sizes will require a more powerful drill motor as well. So you know how you need to go about this factor. The most common chuck sizes you can find are 1/2-inch and 5/8-inch.
Drill Press Swing Size
The swing size or swing distance of any drill press determines its size. The throat distance is the distance from the spindle’s center to the column’s closest edge. Drill presses generally have a swing size ranging from 10 inches to 18 inches, meaning they’d be capable of drilling a hole in the disk of any material of that size multiplied by two.
Drill Press Accessories
Choosing a drill press with featured accessories should also be a top priority. These accessories could include a drill fence, drill press vice, drill press table, mortising attachments, sanding drums, and so on. Alongside a top-notch drill press, you also need the best drill press table and best drill press vise for maximum results.
Answering the FAQs
List of The Best Drill Press Reviews
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WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press
WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press is a compact, powerful, and versatile tool to drill through any hard substance, including wood. This brand is a special one when it comes to providing power tools on a budget. So check this out here to get quality, performance, and a reasonable price.
Powerful & Variable Speed Operation
You can easily drill through your hardwoods with the WEN 4208 8-inch Drill Press. It has a powerful 1/3 HP induction motor featuring a ball-bearing construction for an extended lifespan. So there’s ample torque and power to let you experience a smooth, balanced performance even at higher speed levels.
This drill press is a variable speed tool that operates at five different speeds, such as 740, 1100, 1530, 2100, and 3140 RPM. So you can control the speed based on the type and material you are working on.
Great Capacity
WEN 4208 Drill Press offers a swing of 8-inch, allowing you to use it for broader materials. Its great drilling capacity can also be determined by its spindle travel distance. For this drill press, the spindle can travel up to 2 inches with Easy-to-read, Locking Linear Depth Stops for repeatable and accurate drilling actions.
Maximum Versatility & Accuracy
It comes with a 1/2-inch JT33 chuck that allows you to work with various bits. Moreover, the featured worktable can bevel up to 45° left & right. Its construction includes a rigid frame alongside a cast iron table, head, and base, ensuring accurate holes & convenient drilling actions every time.
More Features
There’s more to the feature list of the WEN 4208 drill press. It comes with a 1/2-inch keyed chuck that can be placed on the Onboard Key Storage. So you can get it right when you need it. The depth adjustment knob and worktable beveling lever add to the convenience of this drill press.
What Customers Say
People who look for simple and efficient drill presses find the WEN 4208 to be a fantastic drill one to go for. It’s been impressing users with its powerful specs, decent drilling capacity on wooden materials, and maximum accuracy & efficiency. This is an Amazon’s Choice and a favorite for many.
DEWALT Drill Press, 2-Speed, Magnetic, 2-Inch (DWE1622K)
You don’t mind paying some extra bucks for a professional-grade drill press. Yeah, we’re talking about the DEWALT DWE1622K Drill Press. It’s a 2-speed magnetic drill press that can do more than your expectations. DEWALT is a high-profile power tools brand, and it’s worth finding out about their Amazon’s Choice drill press here and seeing why one should buy it.
Powerful Specs
The DEWALT DWE1622K 2″ 2-Speed Magnetic Drill Press is a pro machine with powerful specs. It has a 10 Amp motor and a 2-speed operation of 300/450 RPM. So you can get optimal performance for a wide variety of applications. This press features Overload Protection Electronics to prevent motor damage & excess accessory wear, ensuring an extended service life.
Quick Change & Quick Release
This DEWALT drill press features Quick Change Chuck System allowing a tool-free change between 3/4-inch Weldon Shank and a 1/2-inch keyed chuck. It also comes with the Quick Release Feed Handles, offering both sides a tool-free change of handles.
Self-Feed Cooling Tank
The Magnetic Self-feed Cooling Tank is a unique feature of this tool. It allows the workers to control the cooling fluid flow and place it on either side of the tool or a working surface. This will help the users get a variety of tool orientations.
Maximum Capacity for Heavy-Duty Applications
This DEWALT DWE1622K has a 4-3/8 inch drill traveling a distance of 4 inches. So you can get the maximum capacity for all your heavy-duty applications. It has a broader motor height adjustment range, making it compatible with wider accessories.
Featured Accessories
This pro drill press comes with featured accessories to make it more convenient for the users. The package includes a DWE1622 Drill Press, Height Adjustment Tool, Safety Chain, Quick change 1/2-inch Keyed Chuck, and a Kit Box.
What Customers Say
The DEWALT DWE1622K is a professional-grade drill press. It seems a little expensive, but most users find it worthwhile, considering the powerful specs, performance, and capacity. Anyone looking to get a drill press for their heavy-duty applications should consider it.
WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press, Orange
Talking about WEN Drill Press, there’s a particular model that you can’t miss out on. It’s the WEN 4214 Variable Speed Drill Press. This drill press is full of features and is ready to give you maximum satisfaction for precision drilling. Let’s learn about its features below.
Powerful Operation
The WEN 12-inch Variable Speed Drill Press is perfect for DIYers and homeowners. It comes with a durable 2/3 HP, 120V Induction Motor generating ample power to drill through hardwoods and metals. Its great drilling capacity allows you to make a 5/8-inch hole through the heavy-duty cast irons.
More Drilling Specs
There are some excellent drilling specifications in the WEN 4214 drill press. It features mechanical variable speed allowing the users to target the desired RPM ranging from 580 to 3200 RPM for your application.
It has a Quill diameter of 2.17-inches and includes a 5/8-inch chuck with MT2 Spindle Taper. So you can work with a variety of drill bits for versatile applications. The spindle travels 3-1/8-inch with an Easy-to-read, Locking Linear Depth Stop. So you can make repeatable and accurate drilling actions. There’s also a laser module for class III.
Convenient Work Table
The WEN 4214 also features a worktable that can bevel up to 45° to either side for those critical operations to make the perfect and consistent right angles. A table roller extension feature allows the table to extend up to 17-inches for additional support to the workpiece.
Advanced Features
The depth adjustment knob and the LED screen for digital speed readout make it more convenient to control the spindle travel and the drill press speed.
The X-pattern Laser also locks onto the drilling points for laser precision with tasks. So you can be saved on the guesswork to spare expensive materials. Moreover, there is also onboard storage for the chuck key and an onboard work light to illuminate the workpiece for maximum precision and visibility.
What Customers Say
WEN is always a brand to remember for power tool lovers. The WEN 4214 drill press is another powerful tool that’s been successful in winning people’s hearts with its achievement. It’s a mid-budget drill press with powerful specifications and performance. So you have enough reason’s to give it a go.
Powermatic PM2800B 1792800B Drill Press
If you own a woodworking shop and looking to add a commercial drill press to the arsenal, you must check out the Powermatic PM2800B Drill Press. It’s an expensive yet mechanically elegant tool bringing simplicity to the shop. With a drill press here, let’s find out the best of innovation, design, and durability.
Heavy-Duty Drill Press
The PM2800B drill press comes with some real power. It features high-quality construction, making it built to last. It can withstand everyday heavy-duty drilling actions with ease. Its 1 HP, 115V induction motor is powerful enough to drill through anything you throw at it.
Modern, Digital Features
This Powermatic drill press features Mechanical Variable Speed, allowing you to utilize a full range of speeds without any manual belt changes. There’s also a digital RPM readout that helps the user with the spindle’s speed optimization as required by the applications.
Its modern features also include a bright laser that illuminates the drill spot. So you can drill more conveniently and quickly without compromising accuracy.
Great Capacity & Adjustments
It has excellent drilling capacity—the 6-inches of quill travel with a single revolution of the handle. There are a lot of adjustment options that make this drill press more convenient for users. Its adjustable fence system allows a perfect 90-degree relationship to the work table for a quick alignment of stock and drilling odd angles in the materials in a much easier way.
The adjustable Material Stop helps to make repetitive actions quick and accurate. It also features a keyless chuck that allows a quick and easy change procedure of the drill bits.
What Customers Say
Powermatic PM2800B drill press is an expensive machine that has its target customers. This high-end model is not for everyone and is exclusively built for professionals. Comparing this power tool for casual or heavy-duty drilling tasks doesn’t leave any competition. So if you can afford it, you know what you should do!
Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Floor Drill Press
Moving towards another Amazon’s Choice Drill Press on the list. It’s the Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Floor Drill Press. Shop Fox has a reputation for providing great power tools, including drill presses such as W1667 & W1668. And they carry on this legacy well with this W1848 model. Let’s find out more about this floor-standing drill press here.
Floor Model Design
The Shop Fox W1848 comes in an Oscillating Floor Model Design. It’s a great capacity and weight drill press that can easily tackle larger applications. So it includes a floor model design with a durable, rock-solid build.
Oscillating Features
The design also includes Shop Fox’s unique Oscillating Spindle for dynamic contour sanding. A few simple tool-free steps allow you to convert from drilling to sanding operations in seconds. It also includes sanding drums as well. The drill press’s oscillation property also reduces the health buildup and provides a smooth finish while sanding.
Powerful Specs
This drill press has powerful specs, including a 3/4 HP, 110V motor with a Swing of 13-3/4-inches. It also consists of a JT-33 drill chuck with a 1/64 to 5/8 inches capacity. The machine operates at 12 variable speeds ranging from 25–3050 RPM. Its spindle traveling distance is 3-1/4-inches. A tilting work table, table dust port, and other features and accessories make it a complete package to check out.
Tilting Table for Versatile Applications
The W1848 has a tilting table that can tilt up to 90 degrees to either side. The height and tilt amount are adjustable to accommodate the workpiece to achieve the desired sanding, drilling, or angles. Moreover, you can simply use the drill press base as the table and move the work table out of the way.
What Customers Say
Shop Fox is always on the cards when it comes to power tools. And there’s no exception with the W1848 Oscillating Floor Drill Press, as customers find this an amazing one to have. It’s a high-profile, floor-model drill machine that people seem to like very much for their heavy-duty drilling operations. The design, engineering, and performance of this drill press are very much satisfactory in practicality.
SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press
Time to consider the SKIL 3320-01 10-Inch Drill Press with Laser in the list. It’s an ideal choice for woodworkers looking for greater precision than just a regular handheld drill. We’ll check out its features below to learn more about this product.
Laser X2 Precision Drilling
The SKIL 3320-01 drill press has a 3.2 Amp motor and an X2 2-Beam Laser that ensures precise hole alignment. It also has a depth adjustment system that allows you to drill down consistently for all your projects.
5-Speed System & Versatile Operation
This SKIL drill press comes with a 5-speed operation. These speeds can cut cleaner holes through wood and other hard substances. The drill press’s chuck size is 1/2 inch, allowing you to work with larger diameter drill bits for all your cutting tasks.
Tilting Work Surface
The work table is 7-5/8 inches that can tilt for maximum convenience. Now you can deal with angles in your drilling with the tilting work surface that tilts from 0 to 45 degrees. The square-shaped surface can help support larger workpieces, including furniture and building projects.
What Customers Say
Most beginners find the SKIL 3320-01 a good drill press. The specifications and features are pretty decent, and the performance is also quite satisfactory. The price is also reasonable. All in all, it could be an excellent choice to make for mediocre projects.
Jet 716000 JWDP-12 Drill Press
Jet 716000 JWDP-12 Drill Press is always on the cards to make it to the top chart. It’s powerful and portable, so you know what you can do with it. There’s a good list of features we have here that might make it more interesting for you to go for. Let’s find out more about it below.
Compact & Stable Design
The Jet 716000 drill press comes in a compact benchtop design, providing ease of portability. It includes a stable cast iron base measuring 10 x 16-1/8 inch. So it can fit neatly on the workbenches while allowing for easy re-positioning.
Heavy-Duty Motor
The heavy-duty, powerful 1/2 HP induction motor is good enough to drill through almost everything you throw at it. So you can expect it to tackle the big jobs pretty well. The 3-1/8-inch spindle travel makes it a great choice for maximum-depth cutting.
Variable Speed W/ Precision Drilling
This all-new Jet drill press operates at 12 mechanical variable speeds that are easy to change. So you have control over the optimal speed required for your project. For maximum precision, there’s an innovative X-shaped XACTA laser to ensure accuracy.
More Features
There’s more to its feature list. It comes with 5/8-inch Drill Chuck allowing the versatility to use different size drill bits for multiple drilling applications. This tool also includes a large paddle switch providing easy lockout protection and shut-off options.
What Customers Say
The Jet 71600 is a workhorse for the users, which they consider a great addition to their workshop. The price is reasonable, the features are rich, and the performance is top-notch.
Euro Tool Small Benchtop Drill Press | DRL-300.00
Euro Tool Small Benchtop Drill Press | DRL-300.00 makes a great addition to our list. This is a compact drill machine that can do some extraordinary drilling for your ordinary projects. So don’t be hard-pressed to look further; check out its feature and have one soon.
Compact & Portable
The DRL-300.00 is a much more compact machine requiring little storage space. It is 10 x 12 x 8 inches and lightweight, weighing only 13 pounds. It’s a portable, space-saving, and economical power tool to add to your workshop.
Variable Speed W/ Large Platform
The Euro Tool DRL-300.00 has variable speeds ranging up to 8500 RPM. So you have the versatility and power to get your drilling tasks right and accurate. For more convenience, it has a large platform measuring 6-3/4-inch x 6-3/4-inch.
Excellent Versatility
There’s also a variable-size chuck that allows you to use different drill bits between 1/64-inch and 9/32-inch. So it offers excellent versatility in making different size holes per the requirements.
What Customers Say
The customers find the DRL-300.00 a mediocre quality drill press that can provide superior performance in light drilling applications. For heavy-duty applications, it’s so-so. The build quality has room for improvement. Yet, it could be a great choice as a budget drill press for DIY projects.
Micro-Mark Drill Press Microlux 3 Speed 0-6″ Adjust
How about checking out a mini drill press that can take care of your small and delicate drilling tasks? This should be a great idea, which makes us put the Micro-Mark Drill Press on the list. It’s a high-end mini drill machine with decent features to do what it’s built for. Let’s find out more about this product below.
Powerful & Sturdy
This Micro-Mark tool features a 110V high-torque motor capable of generating enough power for the drill bits. So it can get through most of the materials with ease. It’s a sturdy machine with a 5-inch x 9-inch Cast Aluminum Table Base and Housing Machined Surface, providing the required stability.
3-Speed Operations W/ Excellent Spindle Travel
This drill press features three-speed belt drives such as 2100, 4500, and 6500 RPM. So you have the versatility of the speeds to work correctly. It also has a ball-bearing spindle with a decent 1-1/4-inch travel and a generous spindle height.
Professional Features
There’s more to this Micro-Mark drill press. It features a three-jaw chuck and key with a capacity of 028-inches to 1/4 inches. There’s also a sliding gauge to drill in-line holes. The calibrated depth control of the drill press helps with precision drilling.
Precision Miniature
Microlux Drill press is undoubtedly a precision miniature machine for drilling tasks related to delicate applications. This drill press can give you the desired results in projects like electronics, labs, jewelry, and model works.
What Customers Say
People seem to have no complaints against this Microlux drill press unless they consider it for any heavy-duty application. It’s a compact, portable machine, and the users are quite happy with its performance. For specific, small applications, you should find it a decent enough drill press.
Top Drill Press Picks
Before we conclude the article, we’d like to mention some of our top picks by category from the list. These are as follows:
Affordable Drill Press – Best Drill Press Under 200 Dollars: WEN 4208 8-Inch Drill Press
Best Overall Drill Press: WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press
Best Drill Press for Metal and Wood: The Powermatic PM2800B.
Best Benchtop Drill Press: TACKLIFE Benchtop Drill Press
Best Commercial Drill Press: DEWALT DWE1622K.
Best Budget Drill Press: DRL-300.00 Small Benchtop Drill Press
Conclusion
Now moving to the conclusion of our review guide on the best drill press you must have for woodworking jobs. The article has different buying guides and some top recommendations with detailed reviews. Now you should be aware enough to make an informed choice and find the drill presses suited to your needs.
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