Benchtop Drill Press: Well, in this post, I would walk you through various aspects of the best benchtop drill press to help you make an informed buying decision.
Moreover, I’ll also throw light on important buying parameters that you shouldn’t ignore in order to buy the best benchtop drill press for the money.
Lastly, as promised to my clientele, and readers of this blog, I would be responding to the queries related to the best benchtop drill press.
Does it sound good?
So, without any further ado, let’s begin.
Top Rated Benchtop Drill Press To Buy…
| Product Name | Power | Check the Current Prices on Amazon | RPM | Chuck Size | Weight |
| Skill 3320-01 | 3.0 Amps | $$$ | 3050 | 1/2 inch | 52 lbs |
| Dremel 220-01 | N/A | $$$ | N/A | N/A | 4.8 lbs |
|
Wen 4214 (Editor’s choice) | 5.0 Amps | $$$ | 3200 | 5/8 inch | 89 lbs |
| Shop Fox W1668 | 0.7 HP | $$$ | 3050 | 5/8 inch | 63 lbs |
| Genesis GDP1005A | 4.1 Amps | $$$ | 3070 | 5/8 inch | 52 lbs |
| Rikon 30-140 | 0.3 HP | $$$ | 3100 | 5/8 inch | 84 lbs |
| Jet JWDP-12 | 5.0 Amps | $$$ | 3100 | 5/8 inch | 68 lbs |
| Grizzly G7943 | 9.0 Amps | $$$ | 3050 | 5/8 inch | 148 lbs |
| DRL-300 | 1.0 Amp | $$$ | 8500 | 1/4 inch | 13 lbs |
Best 10 Benchtop Drill Press Review
Well, to be honest, quite a few clients ask me to suggest to them some of the best benchtop drill presses available on the market.
Being in the woodworking industry for over a decade now, I need to do proper homework even before I think of recommending any woodworking tools.
Needless to say, a recommendation can greatly impact my career as a woodworking consultant.
Keeping in mind, all these complex thoughts, I work really hard with my team to come up with the best product for the money.
I wouldn’t deny the fact that almost 2% of my clientele are capable of buying even the costliest of the woodworking tools such as drum sanders, jointer/planer combo, etc but the majority of them always look for the products that give them maximum return on the investment.
To cut a long story short, I’ve inculcated both the high-end as well as “value for money” benchtop drill press in my review list to help you buy the one that caters to your budget.
SKIL 3320-01 | Best Benchtop Drill Press For Woodworking
The SKIL Drill Press is definitely a pioneer in its field and is known to be a great fit for bigger and more complex projects.
Furthermore, if you’ve been relying on your handheld drill then definitely you’re gonna love the features and capabilities that SKIL 3320-01 10-Inch Drill Press with Laser possesses.
Definitely, the laser plays a crucial role when your project demands precision and accuracy.
The X2 2-Beam Laser and the depth adjustment system work in a way that the laser takes care of the precise hole alignment and the latter helps you in drilling down hassle-free and consistently.
At the same time, if you’re looking for a drill press for metal then chances are quite high that your search would end here.
The 3320 Drill Press can perform really well against wood, metals, and other materials as it comes with five-speed cut holes.
On top of it, the work surface tilts from zero to 45 degrees.
I wholeheartedly recommend 3320 Drill Press for both large-scale furniture and building projects.
The 50.8 pounds battery-powered Chevron- SKIL comes with a 3-year warranty and is cSAus certified.
Since it comes with a 1/2-inch keyed chuck so it can easily accept larger bits for woodworking and cutting, and it also comprises of square work surface which would help you to carry out even the complex woodworking projects that involve a larger piece of the material.
Keeping safety on the top priority, the 3320 Drill Press has included a built-in bump-off switch so that both novices, as well as experienced woodworkers, can be safer.
Trust me, all these mind-boggling features come at an affordable price so even though you’re on a shoestring budget you can think of buying 3320 Drill Press.
Pros
- 5-Speed with RPM ranging between 570 and 3050
- Double laser beam for high-precision
- Highly flexible as it comes with a 45-degree left and right tilting table
- Comprises of 3.2 amp motor
- Table size: 7-5/8-Inches
- Chuck Size: 1/2-Inch
Cons
- Manual speed change
Dremel Drill Press Rotary Tool Workstation Stand | Best Portable Drill Press For Woodworking
Well, if you’re looking for a benchtop drill press that is capable of performing more than one function then definitely, 220-01 is the one that you should be going after.
In layman’s language, the Dremel 220-01 is a three-in-one tool, that is, it’s a drill press, rotary tool holder, and flex-shaft tool stand.
To be honest, the Dremel 220-01 is known for its versatility, and you can expect it to perform numerous functions.
This mini drill press withstand is capable of adjusting its height between 6 and 29 inches which is of great help when it comes to drilling angled holes in 15-degree increments up to 90 degrees.
On top of it, for jobs like polishing or sanding this tool holder will hold your rotary tool at a 90-degree angle to help you achieve an optimum result.
However, like other drilling tools, it also comes with some loopholes.
The major drawback that I find in this tool is that it only works with Dremel rotary tools.
To make Dremel 220-01 more user-friendly and easy to use, the manufacturer has used the concept of a crow’s nest which makes it possible for the woodworkers to have on-board storage of drill bits, wrenches, and other Dremel accessories.
Keeping in mind the importance of safe storage of power cords, the machine comes with cord management clips so you don’t have to worry at all about the safety issues anymore, right?
Whether you’re a novice driller or an experienced woodworker, you don’t have to worry at all about the accuracy of the drilling anymore to help and support you in the process the manufacturer has inculcated inch/metric marking on the base.
Unlike some cheap drilling tools that have stability issues, you can be well confident in advance that you’ll not face any holding problems related to the station as the built-in sturdy metal base with 4 clamping points will definitely hold the station securely.
Similarly, to help you achieve consistent depth while you’re expediting the project, the machine comes with a feature named depth marking with depth stop.
In short, the 4.85 pounds Dremel 220-01 has great attachment compatibility.
In fact, the 220-01 workstation is compatible with almost all the corded rotary tools along with a few cordless ones as well.
All in all, an idiosyncratic tool is worth the investment.
Pros
- On-board storage facility
- 3-in-1 tool
- Comprises of depth stop functionality
- A rotary tool capable of getting fixed at 90 degrees for other jobs
- Flex shaft tool stand
Cons
- Only compatible with Dremel tools
WEN 4214 | Best Benchtop Drill Press For The Money
The WEN 4214 is definitely one of the best on the market if NOT the BEST.
It goes without saying that this variable-speed drill press comes with almost everything that a professional woodworker would be looking for in a drill press.
Needless to say, the USP of WEN 4214 is its mechanical variable speed system which is very easy to operate.
In fact, with the simple turn of the lever, you can achieve a speed regulation between 580 and 3,200 RPM so, in spite of you being a first-time user, you can easily operate the machine without any hassle.Furthermore, some other features that would grab your eyeballs are a 12-inch swing, 3.1-inch stroke, 5/8-inch keyed chuck, and a laser guidance system.
Definitely, the aforementioned features put WEN 4214 in an altogether different league.
When it comes to drilling holes, without any second thought, I can affirm that the WEN 4214 would match your expectation if NOT EXCEED them.
In short, it is capable of drilling holes through a wide variety of materials such as metal, wood, plastic, etc.
If we talk in terms of heavy-duty cast iron, then it can easily drill a hole of 5/8 inch.
In terms of power, the machine comes with a 5 Amp induction motor which not only delivers high performance but also, comes with an extended life because of the ball bearings that it comprises.
The 5/8-inch chuck with MT2 spindle taper gives you versatility including a variety of bits.
Understanding the importance of storage, the manufacturer has added onboard chuck key storage.
In case, you frequently work on complex projects and require perfect right angles on a consistent basis then let me tell you that worktable bevels 45° left and right for such tricky operations.
The good thing about the X-pattern laser is that it easily lock-on to the drilling point and thus saves you a lot of time and energy as you don’t have to involve yourself in any guesswork.
Well, whether it’s about accuracy or repeated drilling operations, the WEN 4214 would do the work for you.
Since the drilling machine comes with variable RPM so to keep track of the real-time RPM, it has a built-in LED screen display.
On top of it, to enhance visibility and precision, the WEN 4214 comes with onboard work light.
As per my understanding, onboard work light shouldn’t fall under the luxury but the essential feature that a benchtop drill press must have.
It is a known fact that some projects do possess special requirements which may be sufficed table roller extension as it allows the table roller to extend up to 17 inches.
The 89 pounds WEN 4214 comes with a 2-year warranty if you’re buying it for personal use and a warranty of 90 days in case, you’re buying it for commercial purposes.
All in all, an all-rounder benchtop drill press in the true sense.
Pros
- 2-year warranty
- 5-Amp motor
- Onboard work light
- Variable speed with RPM that falls in the range of 580 and 3,200 RPM
- Table roller extension
- Laser precision
Cons
- Equal torque gets delivered at all speeds
Shop Fox W1668 | Best Benchtop Drill Press For Metal
Shop Fox W1668 has great bandwidth in the sense that it can cater to the need of a small woodworking shop as well as a professional machine shop.
In short, this heavy-duty benchtop drill press is the perfect fit for all those who need a compact yet powerful drill press for their shops.
With the option of 12 variable speeds, it is meant for a wide range of woodworking requirements.
Just for your information, the RPM can vary between the range of 250 and 3050 RPM so you can understand the kind of flexibility you can expect from this idiosyncratically designed benchtop drill press.
It is fitted with a 5/8-inch chuck and delivers 0.75 HP.
With a 13.2-inch swing and 3.2-inch spindle travel, the machine falls under the category of a “well-machined” benchtop press.
As we all know, almost all woodworking projects involve debris and dust so a drill press would be required for keeping the job site neat and clean, right?
The good news is, the Shop Fox W1668 comes with a dust port.
If we talk in terms of flexibility, then you would be happy to know that Shop Fox comes with a table that can tilt up to 90 degrees on either side and swing up to 360 degrees horizontally.
The USP of W1668 13-1/4-inch Oscillating Drill Press is its sanding capability.What I mean by this is, you can convert from the drilling operation to the sanding operation in an epigrammatic span of time with the help of just a few tool-free steps.
On the downside, Shop Fox doesn’t include an onboard light in the package.
Pros
- Offers relatively higher speed and power
- 2-inch table dust port
- 12-speeds
- 360-degrees table swing
- Comprises of sanding drums
- Capable of maximum table tilt of 90 degrees (left/right)
- 5/8-inch drill chuck
Cons
- No onboard work light
Genesis GDP1005A | Best Budget Benchtop Drill Press
Again, GDP1005A is a great offering from the brand Genesis that comes with a 5/8″ Chuck.
Whether you’re a professional woodworker or a DIYer, you would definitely find the 5-speed GDP1005A a perfect fit for your projects because of its power and versatility.
With the integrated work light the Genesis takes the convenience and ease of use to the next level.
Depending upon your project requirements, you can easily tilt the table to 45 degrees and rotates it to 360 degrees.
The 52 pounds lightweight benchtop drill press is highly portable and can be easily moved from one place to another in an epigrammatic span of time without any hassle.
The rack and pinion table height adjustment is definitely something that would grab the eyeballs of novice woodworkers because of the value that it brings to the table
Needless to say, the 4.1 Amp motor is powerful and would easily take care of complex woodworking projects as well.
Lastly, the GDP1005A is backed by a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- 2-year warranty
- 45-degree tilting and 360-degree rotating table
- Comes with an integrated work light
- 4.1-Amp induction motor
Cons
- Lacks a precision laser guide
RIKON 30-140 | Best Quality Benchtop Drill Press
Well, RIKON 30-140 is yet another great offering from the brand RIKON.
The benchtop drill press comes with a 5-spindle speed that falls in the range of 620 and 3100 RPM range.
Similar to its close competitors, the RIKON 30-140 benchtop radial drill press comprises a table that is capable of rotating 360 degrees and tilting up to 90 degrees.
With a power of 1/3-horsepower motor, telescopic design, and idiosyncratic features such as 3/8-inch spindle travel, M-T2 spindle taper, 34-inch swing, etc the RIKON 30-140 could be a perfect choice for all those who are looking for a benchtop drill press for their small commercial garage or home woodworking shop.Personally, I’m a great admirer of the RIKON 30-140 design and its versatile drilling capacity as it comprises almost all the essential ingredients needed for taking on jobs both small and large.
Drilling is made easy with the help of a clutch depth stop that makes the entire process completely hassle-free.
Furthermore, 3/8-inch spindle travel helps in complex drilling projects by providing large-capacity drilling.
On the other hand, quick changes from chuck arbors to end mill bits can be easily taken care of by the M-T2 spindle taper.
On top of it, a rotating table with a stable base takes care of materials of different sizes in a hassle-free manner.
Keeping in mind the operation-related problems faced by novice woodworkers, the RIKON 30-140 is designed uniquely for smooth operations.
Features such as a large feed handle, speed-selection chart, and chuck key holder add to the flexibility and smooth functioning of the machine.
On the downside, the 30-140 lacks both the laser guide as well as onboard light.
Lastly, the 108 pounds 30-140 is backed by a two-year warranty.
Pros
- Generates a power of 0.3 HP
- Chuck size: 5/8 inch
- 5-spindle speeds
- The table rotates 360 degrees and tilts up to 90 degrees
- 2-year warranty
- Unique telescopic design
Cons
- No laser guide or onboard light.
Jet 716000 JWDP-12 | Best Jet Benchtop Drill Press
So, here I come with one of my favorite benchtop drill presses, Jet 716000 which is powerful enough to perform take care of complex woodworking projects, and portable enough to be moved around easily.
Furthermore, it comes with a powerful 1/2 hp induction motor, 3-1/8 spindle travel, 5/8″ drill chuck, large paddle switch, etc to help you perform your drilling job in the best possible way.
The cast iron base is robust and has a dimension of 10″ x 16-1/8″, and can fix well on benches with limited space.
The large paddle switch plays a crucial role when it comes to lockout protection and easy shut-off.
Needless to say, the 5/8″ drill chuck falls under the “industrial drill chuck” category and is capable of handling multiple drilling applications.
The JET 12″ Drill Press with Dro comes with 3-1/8″ spindle travel that ensures maximum depth cutting.
The USP of this portable yet efficient benchtop drill press is its innovative X-shaped XACTA laser that helps both the novice woodworker and the experienced professional in achieving drilling accuracy without any hassle.Lastly, the 68 lbs JET 12″ comes with a 5-year warranty which is definitely something to brag about, isn’t it?
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- Compact and powerful
- Comes with a mechanical variable speed system
- Features a 3.1 inches spindle travel and 5/8 inches chuck
- Heavy-duty 1/2 hp induction motor
Cons
- Relatively expensive
Grizzly Industrial G7943-14″ | Best Benchtop Drill Press For Metal
It goes without saying that GRIZZLY is a well-known and well-established brand, and the G7943-14″ offering from GRIZZLY is definitely a great option for both newbies as well as professional woodworkers.
Trust me, it comprises all the ingredients that are the prerequisites of a heavy-duty benchtop drill press.
To begin with, you’ll find almost all the features of an expensive industrial-grade drill press at an affordable price.
As the name suggests, Grizzly Industrial comes with a 7.5 Amp motor and is capable of generating 3/4 HP which is definitely a good amount of power to take on even complex industrial projects.
For a better and more fruitful outcome, you can tilt the table both 90 degrees left as well as right.
To tackle industrial projects with variable demands, the G7943-14″ comes with 12 variable speeds that fall in the range of 140 and 3050 RPM.
Keeping safety as the top priority, the manufacturer has inculcated both lock levers and coolant troughs.
Since the vertical table movement is crank handle operated rack and pinion so the user experience is definitely something to boast about.
Not only that, to help the end users achieve the optimum outcome the manufacturer has inculcated some idiosyncratic features such as cushion-grip quill handles, threaded depth stop, powder-coated finish, built-in light, etc.
All in all, a great all-rounder benchtop drill press can take care of both your home woodworking shop requirements as well as commercial woodworking needs.
So, what are you waiting for?
Pros
- Drill chuck: 3/64″–5/8″
- Drilling capacity: 3/4″ steel
- 12-variable speeds
- 360-degree table swings and 14″ swing
- Industrial grade features at an affordable price
- Threaded depth stop
- Comes with lock levers and a coolant trough
Cons
- Lacks onboard working light or laser guide
DRL-300.00 | Best Cheap Benchtop Drill Press Under $200
So, here I come with one of the best affordable benchtop drill presses that you can think of buying even though you’re on a shoestring budget.
Needless to say, the DRL 300 is a great offering from Euro Tool, a trusted tool brand since 1973.
It goes without saying that the DRL 3000 small benchtop drill press isn’t meant for heavy-duty jobs.
In fact, if you’re looking for a portable and affordable small benchtop drill press for jobs such as drilling wood, soft metals, and the electric circuit then definitely it’s a great option.
I wouldn’t recommend DRL 300 for complex projects that involve heavy metal drilling as the speed of DRL 300 is too high but at the same time, the power is too low.
Many of you wouldn’t be aware of the fact that DRL 300 is the lightest benchtop drill press on our list, and comes with a variable speed selection of up to 8,500 RPM.
The 13 pounds DRL 300 measures 6-3/4 inches by 6-3/4 inches, and comes with a 1-year warranty.
All in all, a great option for light jobs.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight and portable drill press
- Variable speed up to 8,500 RPM
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy-metal drilling
- Power output lowest on the list
Buying Guide
This section is very important, especially for first-time buyers and I would request you to NOT skip it as you’ll get to know about some important parameters that one shouldn’t ignore when it comes to buying the BEST BENCHTOP DRILL PRESS.
Should a table be considered an important buying parameter?
Definitely, a table is an integral part of a good benchtop drill press and you shouldn’t compromise on its quality even if you’ve to pay some extra bucks.
But, the question that comes to the find the first time is how to spot a good table, right?
The one thing that every good table should possess is that it should be spacious, as it would provide you enough space to complete even the complex job successfully.
Another thing that you should look for in a good table is its tilting features.
The table should be capable of tilting left and right either up to 45 degrees or a full 90 degrees.
Lastly, the versatility of a benchtop drill press to a large extent depends upon how far a table can go from the chuck so if you’re looking for a versatile drill press then this is an important parameter to consider, isn’t it?
Is versatility an important drill press buying parameter?
Definitely, versatility is an important parameter when it comes to buying a high-quality benchtop drill press.
First and foremost, versatility helps you measure the actual value of a drill press.
In layman’s language, versatility depicts how many features your drill press comes with, and thus, helps you to understand the value a particular press could bring to the table.
For example, versatility refers to speed settings, table tilting capability, how easily you can convert a drill press to a sander, etc so we can conclude that a more versatile drill press is more valuable.
Horsepower
Can we ignore the significance of HP when it comes to buying a power tool?
NO…RIGHT?
Well, horsepower definitely one of the most important buying parameters and is capable of influencing buying decisions.
In the context of a drill press, horsepower determines how quickly you can drill into any material.
Needless to say, a drill press with a higher HP would drill faster as compared to the ones that come with relatively lower power.
If you’re looking for a drill press for a shop job then anything above 0.3 HP would do the trick for you.
Speed
In the context of a drill press, you should always look for multiple speed levels.
The most benchtop drill press comes with speed levels that fall in the range of 2 and 16.
However, exceptions are bound to be there.
The total power output of a drill press comprises two important parameters, that is, speed and torque, and both are inversely proportional to each other.
So, a higher speed signifies lower torque and vice-versa.
Let’s understand the significance of multiple speed levels with an example.
Suppose you bought a drill press that comes with multiple speed levels, then you can select higher speed levels for drilling small holes in the wood, and lower speed levels for drilling into heavy-duty metals.
Convenience, ease of use, and user-friendliness
This could be an important buying factor if you’re new to the woodworking or drilling career.
It goes without saying that most novice drillers look for a machine that is convenient to use, and operation should be hassle-free, and less time-consuming.
Of course, the same is true for professional woodworkers as well.
For example, a novice woodworker would prefer a drill press that comes with features that are easy to understand.
Similarly, features like the long handle to leverage, ease of servicing the press, etc could be on the priority list of even a professional woodworker, isn’t it?
Safety Features
For professionals like me, safety features play a crucial role when it comes to buying a “value for money” benchtop drill press.
I’ve kids and my older parents living with us so I can’t take any risk on safety measures, and I hope the same would hold true with many of you, if NOT all of you, correct?
As we all know, every power tool comes with an associated safety risk so the best thing that we can do is mitigate these risks as much as we can.
Some of the features that you should look for in a drill press are overload protection and a strategically positioned OFF switch as it could be of great help in times of emergency.
Warranty
Well, manufacturers who truly believe in their products generally offer a longer warranty period but at the same time, such offerings are costlier as compared to their counterparts.
I always recommend to my clientele the product that comes with a longer warranty as it may cost you slightly more but in the long run, it is worth the money.
Of course, it is totally my view and I left it to you to decide how much extra are you willing to pay for the products that are of high quality and come with a longer warranty.
Depth Stops Drill Press
To be honest, most of the high-quality drill press comes with a depth stop as it enhances the accuracy by allowing you to drill to an exact depth.
If your projects revolve around wood, plasterboard, or masonry for fixings the depth-stop could be of great help for you.
Drill Press Laser Guide
Again, a laser guide is a great feature and I think you should’ve it in your press.
However, models with laser guides may be costlier as compared to others.
It makes it easier for you to accurately locate your workpiece on the drill press without a need for repeatedly raising and lowering the drill bit.
Moreover, the laser guide feature plays a crucial role in enhancing precision.
Benchtop Drill Press Vs. Floor
Let’s have a quick look at the differences between the benchtop drill press and the floor.
Size
As compared to the floor unit, the benchtop drill press is smaller, and their sizes fall in the range of 9 x 13 x 20 inches and 17 x 23 x 51 inches.
On the other hand, the size of the floor drill press can fall in the range of 18 x 29 x 68 inches and 29 x 41 x 93 inches.
So, if you’ve got a scarcity of space in your workshop then definitely benchtop drill press is the one you should be looking for, isn’t it?
Weight
Needless to say, floor drill presses are not only larger in size but bulkier as well.
Some of them can even weigh thousands of pounds so most probably you would be needing heavy machinery to move it from one place to another.
In other words, the floor drill presses aren’t as portable as the benchtop ones.
On the contrary, most of the benchtop drill press models weigh less than 100 pounds so an individual can easily move the machine.
Swing Size
Swing size is the measure of the largest diameter piece that a drill press can handle.
Let’s understand with an example.
A 16-inch drill press has a swing size of 16 inches which depicts that the head is 8 inches away from the framework of the drill press thus enabling you to cut the materials of 16-inch diameter.
If we compare the swing sizes of both benchtop and floor drill presses then definitely the latter would win the race.
The swing size of a benchtop drill press can vary in the range of 6 and 18 inches whereas the swing size of the floor drill press could go as high as 33 inches.
Spindle Speed
It goes without saying that spindle speed is an important parameter and at times it dictates the buying decision.
Bench drill press ranges from 400 to 4000 revolutions per minute (RPM).
On the other hand, floor drill press ranges from 40 to 5000 RPM.
Horsepower
The horsepower tells about the power that your drill press possesses.
Needless to say, the floor drill press wins the race by a huge margin.
The floor drill press can possess power in the range of 1 HP and 5 HP.
On the other hand, a benchtop drill press can have HP up to 0.5.
Voltage
Well, voltage is nothing but the electrical power required to operate the machine.
Mostly the benchtop drill press operates at 120 V whereas the floor drill press operates at a voltage of up to 480 V.
Since most of the house comes with 120 V wall outlets so you may need a special outlet for operating the floor drill press.
Spindle Tilt
Spindle tilt can be of great importance if your project requires cutting at an angle.
To be honest, many of the benchtop drill presses don’t come with the spindle tilt feature.
On the other hand, many of the floor drill presses are capable of tilting up to 90 degrees.
So, if predominantly the deciding factor is spindle tilt then definitely you should opt for a floor drill press.
Chuck Size
Well, chuck size is the part of the drill press wherein the cutting tool is inserted.
So, a bigger chunk size means you can insert a bigger cutting tool.
Though the chuck size of the benchtop drill presses varies most of them come with a chunk size that is less than 1/2 inch.
On the other hand, the floor drill press is well capable of accommodating up to 5/8 inch and some special even come with a much larger chunk size.
Cost
Of course, the floor drill presses are expensive as compared to the benchtop drill press.
Typically, the price of a benchtop drill press can fall in the range of $100 and $1000.
On the other hand, the price of a floor drill press starts somewhere around a few hundred dollars and can go as high as $20,000.
What advantages does a drill press have over a hand drill?
- As per my knowledge and experience, I can affirm that the main advantage that a drill press has over a hand drill is nothing but ACCURACY. The good thing about a drill press is that it is capable of drilling at a precise and consistent angle which could definitely be far from achievable from a hand drill
- Well, you can use a drill press with centerless bits such as plug cutters which may not be possible with handheld drills
- Needless to say, a drill press could be much faster as compared to a hand drill with a proper work-holding setup
- A drill press comes with more power and torque as compared to a hand drill
- Moreover, a drill press comes with fences with controlled positioning that helps you to drill a row of holes a set distance from the edge of an item
- Furthermore, drilling RPM can be set to reasonably accurate ranges on a drill press as compared to a handheld drill that tends to have a variable speed trigger that can be varied but dialing in a particular direction couldn’t be possible
FAQs
Well, as promised, in this section, I would be responding to the queries related to the drill press asked by my clientele.
In case, you also have any queries related to the benchtop drill press review then feel free to ask me in the comment section.
What are the basic parts of a drill press?
It is really important to know about the basic parts of a drill press in order to understand the whole mechanism of a drill press.
It goes without saying that the shape and size of each part may differ from one brand to another, but the function remains the same irrespective of models and brands.
Head
As the name suggests, the head is the place where not only all the wired parts but also the control unit is situated.
Spindle
It is the core of the machine as it is responsible for the main drilling.
As per your projects’ requirements, you can switch between different types of spindles.
Spindle Chuck
Well, a spindle chuck is a place where you put your spindle and adjust it as per your requirement.
Some chucks are removed while the rest aren’t removable.
Motor
Without any doubt, the motor is the power of any drill press.
Moreover, depending on the brand, the position of the motor varies.
In some models, the motor is situated in the head while in the rest it is situated near the chuck.
Table
Many of you would be aware of the fact that the table comes with an adjustable function and depending upon your needs, you can rotate the table.
Some manufacturers even provide some locks.
Base
When it comes to stability base plays a crucial role.
Usually, the base of the drill press is made with a solid element that keeps the whole thing together.
Column
The column is the base for aligning the spindle, the head, the motor, and the spindle chuck.
Moreover, it can be lowered.
And, it is usually manually operated.
What are the different types of drill presses?
Especially for novice woodworkers, it is really important to have a fair understanding of the types of drill presses.
Floor Mounted Drill Press
Floor-mounted drill presses are the most classical ones and are the first known model of the drill press.
Unlike a benchtop drill press, the floor drill press is mounted on the floor and allows the users to drill the object without any need for a table.
These types of drill presses are very strong and come with a very powerful motor.
Bench Top Drill Press
Well, you can consider a benchtop drill press as a modernized version of a floor drill press.
As the name suggests, these benchtop drill presses come with a controllable table that can be both rotated and lowered as per the requirement of your project.
For the completion of the process, the drill press is pushed toward the object.
Multi-Spindle Drill Press
As the name suggests, a multi-spindle drill press comes with more than one spindle.
Depending on the setting, these spindles can run at one uniform speed or different speeds.
Pro-Sensitive Drill Press
The pro-sensitive drill presses are the most advanced version of the drill press.
Though they may have less power as compared to some other types still they manage to score high on the parameters such as controllability and functionality.
Needless to say, these pro-sensitive drill presses help you to work on sensitive objects by allowing you to offer a variety of speed and precision.
What are some of the important drill press accessories?
I always recommend my clientele buy drill press accessories because it definitely makes working with different types of materials easier and hassle-free.
Laser Target
I highly recommend laser target to novice woodworkers as it would help beginners to get rid of problems such as keeping steady on the target.
Precision Object Holder
For some complex projects, a table may not be enough to maneuver the object properly.
So, you need a controllable object holder so that you can flip the object, rotate it, or even bend it with the help of an object holder.
Circle Cutter
It saves a lot of your time by cutting circles very fast in materials such as plastic, wood, and nylon.
Foot Pads
It helps you to perfect your timing as well as enhance your productivity by allowing you to control the power of the drill press, and thus, use both of your hands for free.
What are the different methods of drilling?
Let’s have a quick look at some of the methods of drilling.
Pilot Holes
It’s always good to start with a pilot drill so as to be more precise in your drilling actions.
In layman’s language, these are the light strokes applied to the materials.
Moreover, it secures not only the good being of the product but also the precision of the target.
Piercing Holes
The full-drilled action applied to an object is termed piercing holes.
Furthermore, the credit goes to the spindle as it travels through the material making a see-through hole into the object and also releasing the grip of the object.
Well, many of you wouldn’t be aware of the fact that you need larger spindles to make piercing holes into thicker objects.
So, the number of spindles is directly proportional to the thickness of the object.
Depth Stop
Some models come with a depth stop option allowing you to have control over how deep you want to drill.
Especially, it is a great feature for novice woodworkers as they can set the depth limit at the start of the drilling process, and the spindle would stop automatically.
Round Stock Drilling
Well, round stock drilling could be defined as drilling a lot of rough materials in an epigrammatic span of time.
In this process, the motor is utilized to its full potential, and the drilling takes place in a straight line.
To be honest, if you’re working on a project that doesn’t involves highly sensitive items, then definitely, the round stock drilling could be the most productive form of drilling, isn’t it?
Drill Press Top Brands
I always prefer to buy a product that is manufactured by a highly recognized and trusted brand rather than going for a cheaper non-branded product.
Well, I’ve to pay some extra bucks for the brand name but in the long run, it definitely pays me back, and customer service, warranty, spare parts availability, etc are some of the benefits that a branded item comes with.
Dremel
The brand Dremel is known for its innovative designs and “ease of use” features.
They come with signature easy control functions to make the entire drilling process less time-consuming and hassle-free.
WEN
Another player that is really doing great in the woodworking space is none other than WEN.
Most of the power tools manufactured by WEN are of high quality, high power, and are also compact and portable.
Shop Fox
It goes without saying that Shop Fox is yet another highly trusted brand that doesn’t need any introduction.
They have been manufacturing great power tools quite a few times now, and have proved their mettle time and again.
Skil
Last but not least, we’ve got the brand Skil for you which is one of the most appreciated drill press brands on the market by the users.
One of the reasons why the brand Skil is highly appreciated by users is its customer service.
But, at the same time, the brand is also known for delivering high performance by manufacturing high-quality products.
It’s A Wrap
Well, I hope you would’ve enjoyed reading the benchtop drill press buying guide.
I along with my woodworking team have tried to the best of our capabilities to come up with the most comprehensive drill press buying guide.
So, how would you rate the benchtop drill press review?
Which is your favorite benchtop drill press?
What is the amount that you’re willing to spend on a benchtop drill press?
Furthermore, I can affirm that all the drill presses that were made to our review list are of high quality and come up with flying colors on the parameters that we’ve set up for testing them.
However, it doesn’t mean that other drill presses available on the market are of inferior quality.
Last but not least, share this benchtop drill press buying guide with the ones who are in need of it.
After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?
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