Best Drill Press To Buy In 2018
Long gone are the days when even the best drill press had only one purpose to serve – to help metalworkers. No more controversy regarding drill press vs. hand drill! Times have changed, and nowadays, most drill press project ideas include some woodworking.
Demands are increasing, and so is the number of brands and models. If it is your time to choose the best drill press for the money, you need to choose the proper drill press for metal and wood. How would you proceed? We are bringing you an overview of some drill presses that are popular, affordable, and efficient to give you a jumpstart in your DIY drill press projects.
You might say, “Well, I don’t need a drill press right now. I’ve other tools to use.” Maybe, you are not interested in the function of drill press machine. We bet you will change mind after knowing what makes a great drill press and the things you can do with a drill press.
In modern times, every woodworking plan requires you to know how to use a drill press for metal and wood. More importantly, you need to find out the top machines that offer precision and ease in mortising and drilling.
Best Drill Press – An Evaluation of The Top Drill Presses
After conducting an in-depth analysis of different models and putting them into practical use, we have compiled a list of top drill presses. While doing this, we have kept several factors in mind including how users, beginners, and professionals alike, may benefit from these products.
You can consider the options available in each machine and make a prudent decision. Let’s get to the point.
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Best Benchtop Drill Press Reviews
Powermatic 719T Mortiser
With 1-horsepower motor and iron construction, this Powermatic Mortiser has been more than just a drill press or a mortise. As long as you care about the smoothness and perfection of your mortising tasks, this machine will grab your attention.
The rack-and-pinion gear mechanism and the large wooden table has made the entire unit a hi-tech item that provides support while adjusting angles up to 35°. Remember that you have six positions to use.
Do you want a full-fledged arrangement for your repeated drilling operations? Well, take advantage of the machine’s flip-down stop and adjustable linear stops. The repetition will be 100% accurate every time you want.
The steel cabinet will prevent you from looking for an additional storage facility for the chisels or accessories. If maintenance is the key to long-lasting service, this machine will not make you sweat.
Why Do We Like It?
- Six positions for flawless adjustments
- Optimal durability with the cast iron body
- Tiltable table and fence up to 35°
- Quick position table for angled work pieces
- Five-year warranty
WEN 4210 Drill Press
This machine has earned respect from DIYers for its superb versatility that ranges from 600 to 3100 RPM. The five speed adjustments can take your woodworking capability to the next level. You will feel comfortable working with this even though you might have no previous experience.
Alongside these technical features, there are other components like the onboard work light and precision laser which may assist you with critical drilling task. You can use the X-pattern laser locks to identify and illuminate your drill points without being annoyed with the guesswork.
This powerful piece of machine sports a durable 3.2 AMP motor that offers ample power and torque. While dealing with a repeated drilling actions, you will not lose accuracy because of its linear depth stop.
Why Do We Like It?
- Solid construction using rugged cast iron
- A powerful 3.2-amp motor
- Ideal for beginners and experienced DIY professionals
- Compatible with an assortment of attachments
- Easy to assemble
Dremel 220-01 Rotary Tool Workstation Drill Press
Dremel has made sure that affordability does not have to go away where versatility is paramount. With the introduction to Dremel 220-01, this fact has once again held water. You can enjoy precision in a wide variety of tasks spending less than 50 bucks.
With this equipment, you have the chance to watch the power of a 3-in-1 tool. Touch the machine and forget about the need for an additional rotary tool holder, or flex-shaft tool stand, or drill press. The job of making angled or perpendicular holes ends up being accurate with this tool.
When you want to perform activities like buffing and sanding, the machine allows you to keep the required tool in place. Do you want to extend the telescoping flex shaft holder to a particular height? Well, do it up to 29 inches.
Why Do We Like It?
- 15° angle adjustment
- Precision in sanding and grinding works
- Adjustable flex shaft (Column)
- Aluminum base
- Stability during drilling operations
- Reachable crow’s nest
- Compatibility with other Dremel Rotary tools
WEN 4214 Drill Press
This manufacturer brings the different models with only a few changes. Many DIY individuals think it is useless to bring different models with no noticeable features. But WEN 4214 model has its own distinctions like the LED readout display and Table Roller Extension.
The LED display shows you exactly how speedy the drilling is going on. It enables you to get real-time estimation of the speed and adjust the required speed without guesswork. We cannot avoid talking about the onboard work light that maximizes visibility of your work piece and space.
The ball bearings endow the induction motor with great power to deliver balanced performance while lasting for an extended period of time. Angled drilling becomes a breeze with the beveling work table.
Why Do We Like It?
- Ability to help with large drilling projects
- Excellent variable speed mechanism
- Great surface support through a table roller extension
- Easy-to-understand depth stop
- Visibility of current speed
Wen 4208 Drill Press
Are you going to work with a variety of materials like plastics, wood, metal, or the like? This power tool yields five variable speeds, from 740 to 3140 RPM so that you can exact the right RPM as you need for a particular project.
The frame uses cast iron that makes it too reliable and sturdy to walk or wobble. The induction motor is powerful with ball bearings that deliver smooth operation and ensure durability. For precisely angled holes, you may bevel your worktable 45° on both and left right sides.
For repeated drilling tasks, the depth adjustment laser works wonder by limiting the spindle travel. The onboard work light will allow you to undertake drilling activity in low light conditions.
Why Do We Like It?
- Five-speed operation
- Strong base to prevent wobbles
- Laser precision for utmost accuracy
- Depth adjustment lever
- Powerful induction motor to deliver adequate torque
Skil 3320 01 Drill Press
If you are a serious woodworker with the aim to maintain precision consistently, this drill press has more than one thing to offer. You can use the X2 2-Beam Laser for accurate hole alignment, and the depth adjustment setting will help you drill down without hindrances.
Like many of its competitors, Skil 3320 01 comes with five speeds. The work surface tilts so flexibly that you can get it swiveled up to 45°. Use it against metal or wood; thick or thin. You cannot help smiling at the outcome.
The three-year warranty is simply great allowing you to put the machine to use in a large number of furniture and construction projects. Now, one thing goes unnoticed. Yes, that is the price. Do not worry at all.
Why Do We Like It?
- Convenient five speeds
- Proper angled drilling
- 0-45° Left and Right Tilting
- 1/2-inch keyed chuck for large projects
- X2 2-Beam Laser for precise hole alignment
Shop Fox W1668 Bench-Top Drill Press
Either you drill through hard materials, or pierce plywood, or create a smooth hole; your drill press has to deliver variable speeds ranging from 250 rpm to 3050 rpm. For an average machine, the speed may be a big deal, but for Shop Fox W1668, it is not a challenge at all.
The metal heat dissipators along with adequate horsepower warrants the machine’s ability to perform massive drilling operations. You can tilt the unit to a 90° angle in any direction, right or left. If you need to sand complex contours, you can retrofit it as an oscillating sander.
Convenient swivels ease the adjustment of the table’s tilt or height. Boring thick lumber is easy because of the spindle that travels as far as required to bore holes through stack materials. Alongside the sturdy build, the safety features are admirable.
Why Do We Like It?
- Fast and efficient operations
- Powerful motor with 12 speeds
- Easy to use, even for beginners
- Stable and tough base
- Compact design
Shop Fox Mortising Machine
All drill presses come with multiple positions, but Shop Fox W1671 offers something more like an extra-long steel handle. It is easy to use the six different positions and offset for a more comfortable operation with maximum control.
Maybe, you have learnt about motors more powerful than the one in Shop Fox W1671. But, we cannot underestimate the ¾ H.P. motor because of the other attachments included with it. For extra depth capacity and height to mortise large stocks, the drill press features a unique swiveling base.
You may not want irregular movements of wood. Well, there is a strong fence to prevent it. Moreover, the double support columns make the job of mortising easy.
Why Do We Like It?
- Long or wide workpieces
- Outstanding lever arm to make cuts easy
- Highly adjustable fence to prevent wood movement
- Good hold-down
- Excellent depth stop
Hardware Factory Store Drill Press
Seeing the price of this machine, some people might have a low opinion about it, but that may not be a good idea. For a drill press at $40, it combines power, precision, and solidity. The cast iron construction ascertains its durability while the serrated steel jaws help exercise adequate force.
The hinged vise crank handle is a good inclusion that lets your work stay right where you want it. Safety is never an unknown factor as long as you have this machine. The tightly bolted slots are the proof of this fact.
Not all machines can be equally efficient in both metalworking and woodworking. But, Hardware Factory has put conscious efforts to make the drilling jobs as comfortable and correct as possible regardless of the difficulty or thickness of the metal.
Why Do We Like It?
- Sturdy Design
- Smooth clamping
- Equally efficient in dealing with woodworking or metalworking
- Noticeable stability in case you make no drilling mistakes
- Highly affordable
Shop Fox W1667 Oscillating Drill Press
What do you need for your next woodworking project – an oscillating sander, a drill press, or both? Shop Fox W1667 is the result of a focus on users’ demands and hi-tech engineering. The cost will not make you sweat, but the utility expected from the machine will make you feel cool.
We cannot help telling you about the tilting table as it lets you sand surfaces using different angles. The depth stop is another proof that the machine lacks nothing that can mar its long-standing fame. Now, you can drill holes without uncertainty but at a preset depth.
The manufacturer has included a paddle switch that ensures safety incorporating a removable lock-out key and oversize paddle. It means you need not struggle to find the off button. The dust collection system is another plus as you cannot overlook hygiene issue in your workspace.
Why Do We Like It?
- Robust build
- Ample power
- Convenient tilting table
- Depth stop for precise drilling operation
- Removable safety key
- Affordable and user friendly
Buying a drill press and using it to your benefits are two different things. Unless you have the best drill press, you cannot expect accuracy, convenience, and great finish – all at a time. But, perfection in the choice is not easy to come by except when you know how to choose one wisely.
Things to consider
To help you overcome the challenge, we have compiled a list of factors to consider. Keep reading
01 Floor or bench-top
There are two popular models, such as the floor model and the bench-top model. The floor model is suitable for being set directly on the floor. You can place the other model on the table top.
If you need to use several attachments and accessories, the floor model is great. But, the bench-top version works great when you want a compact machine that does not take up a lot of space.
02 Spindle Speeds
You do not want to buy a drill press once a day or a week, but you would want to use it for various drilling projects. Having multiple spindle speeds is imperative because if you find one that operates between 500-4000 RPM, drilling or similar other works becomes a fun.
03 Horsepower
Greater horsepower makes sure that you face little to no difficulty drilling larger holes through hard objects. Do not buy a machine that has less than ¾ HP.
04 Depth-Stops
A drill press that has the “Easy-to-Stop” drill feature is a very smart choice because you can control the depth of the quill into the material. For projects involving repetitive boring, you need death-stops to maintain consistency.
05 Mass
When you find two machines with almost the same features and benefits, you should choose the heavier one because the weight absorbs the machine’s vibration, and you can work with it more comfortably.
06 Table
Although many think the table is not an integral part, the truth is otherwise. Is it not great if you can lower, raise, or swivel your table 360° around the machine’s column?
07 Accessories
Try to find a clamp with your machine if you do not want to worry about keeping your materials in place. Like clamps, other accessories are also useful if bought rightly. You have to choose from grooving, mortising, and sanding attachments. Mortising attachments are the most popular of all.
08 After sales services
This is a tricky part of your buying process. Before buying from any manufacturer or retailer, you need to make sure that the machine or its componentry is upgradable and serviceable. Also, talk about the repair parts.
09 A few things to remember
- The base and table should be slotted and rigid.
- The head of your drill press should come built with cast iron and be able to protect the quill, motor, and pinion shaft.
- Spend some time to check the functionality of the depth-adjustment gauge.
- Price is always a righteous concern that often determines what you can get from a drill press.
In addition to the above factors, another matter is important; that is the price. If it is the best drill press you want, you may have to think about a grand.
Final Verdict
So far, we have discussed a lot about the products from the most trusted manufacturers, such as Shop Fox, WEN, Powermatic, and Dremel. In this article, we have tried to present products for any woodworker, metalworker or DIY individual with any level of expertise.
To sum up, we recommend you take time, consider your demands, and budget. You always have the best drill press to choose from our list. Happy buying!
