Wen Drill Press: Well, in this post, I would be walking you through some of the best wen drill presses available on the market.
Moreover, I would also throw light on important buying parameters to help you make an informed buying decision.
Lastly, I would be responding to the queries related to the best wen drill press review so that you can choose the one that fits best to your needs.
But before we dive deep into the topic, I would request you to go through some of the masterpieces and most popular articles on the topic.
So, without any further ado, let’s begin…
Editor’s Recommendation
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Where To Buy Wen Drill Press…
| Product | Check the Current Prices on Amazon | Swing | Spindle Travel | Speed Range | Chuck Capacity | Table Size |
| WEN 4208 | $$$ | 8 Inches | 2 Inches | 740 to 3140 RPM | 1/2 Inch | 6-1/2 x 6-1/2 inches |
| WEN 4210 | $$$ | 10 Inches | 2-1/2 Inches | 600 to 3100 RPM | 1/2 Inch | 7-5/8 x 7-5/8 Inches |
| WEN 4212 | $$$ | 10 Inches | 2-3/8 inches | 530-3100 RPM | 1/2 Inch | 8 x 7-2/3 Inches |
| WEN 4212 | $$$ | 12 Inches | 3-1/8 Inches | 580 to 3200 RPM | 5/8 Inch | 9-1/2 x 9-1/2 Inches |
| WEN 4225 | $$$ | 15 Inches | 4 Inches | 280 to 3300 RPM | 5/8 Inch | 12 x 12 Inches |
Best Wen Drill Press Review
In this section, I would be discussing some of the best WEN drill press models that you can buy for your woodworking projects, home shop, etc.
If you would’ve been using a drill press or any other power tools then definitely, you would be well aware of the brand WEN, isn’t it?
Needless to say, the brand is a well-known and well-established one and has proved its mettle time and again.
To be honest, I myself have been using the WEN drill press (check the current price on Amazon) quite a few times now, and it has exceeded my expectation.
Moreover, the model I prefer has a variable speed and falls under the category of floor-standing drill press.
To cut a long story short, let’s discuss various models of the WEN drill press one by one.
WEN 4208 T | Best WEN 8 Inch Benchtop Drill Press
The WEN 4208 is a highly compact and portable drill press that comes with 5 operational speeds.
It comprises of 1/3 HP induction motor capable of delivering RPMs that fall in the range of 740 and 3140.
This 8-inch drill press will accommodate itself in a very limited space so even though you own a very small home shop you can easily use this machine to its full potential.
Not only can it drill wood successfully, but also heavy-duty cast iron to a 1/2-inch.
For the longevity of the motor as well as balanced and smooth performance, ball bearings have been added by the manufacturer to this little beast.
Even though you’re a first-time user, you can easily limit the spindle travel to an exact location with the help of a depth adjustment gauge feature.
The onboard key storage which is present on the side of the drill press ensures that the key is safe and close by.
In spite of being small and compact, the WEN 4208 doesn’t compromise on versatility as it gives you the option to use drill bits up to 1/2 inch.
On top of it, the cast iron base ensures that the machine is stable during the operation by preventing walking and wobbling.
The 6-1/2 x 6-1/2 inches worktable can be beveled in either direction up to 45 degrees which makes angled drilling operation hassle-free.
Lastly, the 31 pounds 4208 comes with a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- 2-year warranty
- Certified frustration-free
- Highly affordable
- 5-speeds and RPM falls in the range of 740 to 3140
- 8-inches swing and 2-inches spindle travel
Cons
- The drill bit may wobble at high speed
WEN 4210 | Best Versatile WEN 10 Inch Drill Press
Unlike the aforementioned model, the WEN 4210 is a 10-inch drill press that has a swing of 10 inches and a chuck capacity of 1/2 inch.
What makes it better than the last one is the presence of laser and work light as add-ons.
The work light plays a significant role in the dim light working environment, and the laser enhances the precision to a great extent.
Moreover, the 3.2 Amp motor generates enough power to provide RPMs that fall in the range of 600 and 3100.
Depending upon the type of material you want to drill you can choose any speed from the 5 operation speeds.
The depth adjustment gauge feature would be of great help, especially for novice woodworkers who are running behind in accuracy.
With the help of the 1/2-inch chuck with JT33 spindle taper, you can easily choose from a variety of bits adding to the versatility of the machine.
Furthermore, the beveling worktable would help you with easily angled drilling holes even though you’re NOT a professional driller as the table can bevel smoothly 45 degrees left and right.
The little beast is highly stable as the base comprises cast iron.
Lastly, the 51-pound 4210 comes with a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- 2-year warranty
- Comes with an onboard work light
- 3.2 Amp motor
- 5-speed
- Precision Laser
Cons
- Sloppy drilling
WEN 4212 | Best WEN Variable Speed Drill Press For The Money
Well, both the aforementioned models of WEN come with 5-speed wherein the WEN 4212 is a variable-speed drill press.
It comes with a 2/3 HP induction motor which is capable enough to generate enough power to drill up to a 1/2-inch hole into heavy-duty cast iron.
Moreover, you can expect the RPM to fall in the range of 530 to 3100 which is definitely enough to cater to most of your woodworking drilling needs, isn’t it?
For changing the RPM all you need to do is simply turn the lever, and the current speed could be read on the LED digital readout.
The machine is uniquely designed to perform well, and also the construction is robust as the head and base are comprised of cast iron which further adds to the stability.
Similar to other WEN drill press models, the WEN 4212 also comes with a worktable that can bevel 45 degrees left and right so that you can easily perform the angled drilling.
Needless to say, the X-pattern laser enhances the precision by locking on to the drill points.
With a 10-inch swing and a spindle travel of 2-3/8 inch, the WEN 4212 is bound to match your expectation.
On the downside, this 10-inch variable speed WEN drill press lacks a work light which may prevent you from buying the machine in case, you’re facing dim light problems on a regular basis.
Lastly, the 62.3 pounds 4212 comes with a 2-year warranty that clearly shows the manufacturer trusts its product.
Pros
- 2-year warranty
- 10-inch variable speed
- 2-3/8 inches spindle travel
- 8 x 7-2/3 Inches table size
- Digital speed readout
Cons
- Some of my clients have complained about speed sensor problems
- Absence of work light
WEN 4214 | Best Variable WEN 12 Inch Drill Press For The Money
As compared to the WEN 4212, this 12-inch variable speed WEN model has a higher swing and spindle travel.
Even the chuck capacity and table sizes are on the higher end.
Unlike the WEN 4212, it comes with a work light as well as a table roller extension so you don’t have to worry at all about the dim light anymore.
Definitely, the 5 Amp induction motor is powerful enough to generate RPM that falls in the range of 580 to 3200.
The RPM can be changed by simply turning the lever and the digital LED readout helps in easy reading of the current speed.
The worktable’s capability to bevel 45 degrees both left and right makes the angled drilling hassle-free and less time-consuming.
The X-pattern laser enhances the precision multi-fold by locking on the drill points and thus mitigating the guesswork.
The onboard chuck key storage helps you with the key, and at the same time, the 5/8-inch chuck with MT2 spindle taper gives you the flexibility to choose from a wide range of bits as per your project needs.
Lastly, the 89 pound 4214 comes with a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- 2-year warranty
- 12-inch variable speed drill press
- 3-1/8 Inches spindle travel
- Comprises of a table roller extension
- 5/8 Inch chuck capacity
Cons
- Well, if you’re looking for a very powerful drill press then WEN 4214 may not be the best choice
WEN 4225 | Best WEN Variable Speed Floor Standing Drill Press For Metal
Well, unlike the aforementioned models, the WEN 4225 is a variable speed floor standing drill press that comes with a 15-inches swing and 4-inch spindle travel.
The RPM between 280 and 1000 can be changed just by turning the lever.
On the other hand, to change the RPM in the range of 1000 and 3300, you’ll have to do quick belt adjustments.
The current speed would be displayed on the built-in digital readout.
The 12 x 12 Inches worktable can bevel both rights and be left up to 45 degrees so that you can expedite angled drilling without any hassle.
Needless to say, the laser light mitigates the guesswork and helps you in locating the exact drilling points so that you can expedite the entire drilling process successfully.
On top of it, problems such as walking and wobbling of the drill press are mitigated to a great extent as the machine comes with a sturdy cast iron base.
It would be unfair if I skip talking about the depth adjustment gauge as it plays a significant role in enhancing the accuracy by helping you in limiting the spindle travel to the exact location.
It also has a built-in flexible work lamp to help you with sufficient light in dim light conditions.
On the downside, the WEN 4225 is bulky and would be difficult for you to move from one place to another.
Lastly, the 171.6 pounds 15-inch variable speed floor drill press comes with a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- 2-year warranty
- 15-inch variable speed
- 12 x 12 Inches table size
- 5/8 Inch chuck capacity
- 4-inches spindle travel
Cons
- The instruction manual has a limited information
Buying Guide
Well, this is a very important section wherein we discuss all the parameters that you should consider while buying a WEN drill press.
Whether you’re a newbie or a professional, this section is gonna benefit you in more than one way.
Motor Power
It goes without saying that a drill press is a powerful tool so you need to be well aware of the power you need for your drilling projects.
For example, if you’re a woodworker and mostly deal in the woods then a less powerful drill press may do the job for you.
On the other hand, if the deal with dense materials such as steel then you need a powerful motor that would be able to generate ample power to drill successfully through the steel.
Drill Speed
Well, don’t confuse power with speed. In the context of drilling machines, both are different.
Here, I’m talking about the speed of the drill bit.
If you’re mostly drilling only one type of material such as wood then definitely a single speed would do the trick for you.
However, if you use the same drill press for drilling different types of materials then I would say look for the one with the variable speed so that you can select the speed as per your drilling requirements.
Drill Press Size
Another important thing to look for is the size of the drill press that you’re planning to buy.
While going through the WEN drill press review you would’ve seen that some models are extremely compact and portable while the rest are bulky.
Before buying the drill press ensure that it fits well in your workshop or garage.
At the same time, don’t overlook the throat depth.
Well, if you don’t know what throat depth is then let me tell you, it is the area between the drill bit and drill press post.
In layman’s terms, the wider the throat depth the larger the material with which you can work.
For example, drilling a thin metal sheet wouldn’t require a wider throat depth.
On the other hand, drilling a larger piece of lumber would definitely need your drill press to have the throat depth wider.
Drill Press Depth
Always look for drill presses that are capable of drilling deep holes because you never know when your project could demand the same.
The best way is to compare all the models on parameters such as drilling a deep hole and select the one that suits your project requirements.
Accessories
When it comes to buying a WEN drill press, don’t overlook the accessories that come with the machine.
For example, some of the important accessories that your WEN drilling machine should’ve are a digital speed readout, work light, table roller extension, laser, key storage, etc.
Needless to say, these add-ons enhance the users’ experience multifold.
Warranty
I always suggest my clientele look for products that come with a longer duration of the warranty.
In other words, the more the warranty the better the confidence level of the manufacturer on its product.
Try not to buy a product that doesn’t come with a warranty.
Price
To be honest, for me, price is an important parameter when it comes to buying a drill press.
The costlier the product the better it would be may not be the case always.
Always, do your product research to the best of your capabilities, and jot down the features that you’re looking for in the product.
Finally, compare the products that fall into your budget, and choose the one that suffices all your requirement.
Who Makes WEN Drill Presses
WEN is one of the well-known brands in the power tool industry.
The company was founded in 1951 by Nick Anton.
Well, you would be astonished to know that in the first fifty years the company sold more than 50 million consumer units which is definitely something to brag about, isn’t it?
Headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, the company says that it wants to empower woodworkers and artisans across the world to expedite their dreams.
The company wholeheartedly believes in the quality of its products, and thus, provides a 90-days warranty for commercial or professional use.
And, all the WEN drill presses that we’ve reviewed so far come with a 2-year warranty.
So, what are you waiting for?
WEN Vs. Harbor Freight Drill Press
In this section, I would be comparing the WEN 8-inch, 5-speed drill press with the Harbor Freight 8-inch, 5-speed bench drill press to help you make an informed buying decision.
Color Combination
In the context of color combination, definitely, the WEN drill press has an upper edge as it comprises orange and black color which makes it really appealing.
On the other hand, the Harbor Freight drill press has a color combination of black and grey.
Finishing
Again, the finishing of WEN is far better as compared to the Harbor Freight drill press.
On the very first look, you can notice this difference.
Power Switch
The metal sheet used in the WEN drill press is thicker as compared to the Harbor Freight counterpart.
Similarly, the power switch in the Harbor Freight drill press will give you a feel of an old and cheap switch which isn’t the case in WEN.
The WEN comprises of the sturdy and compact power switch.
Tubing Gauge
As compared to WEN, the Harbor Freight comprises a thinner tubing gauge.
Motor Fan
The motor fan covering of Harbor Freight is made of plastic whereas the WEN motor fan covering comprised metal.
Gear System
Both the drill presses come with a belt-drive gear system.
The gears of Harbor Freight are made of aluminum, and the WEN gears are of metal.
Weight
The WEN drill presses are heavier and bulkier as compared to their Harbor Freight counterparts.
Lid
Well, in the Harbor Freight drill press, the lid is nothing but the covering of the belt-drive gear system that may rattle when drilling at a high speed.
On the other hand, the WEN drill press comes with rubber caps on the covering of the belt drive resulting in a reduction in the rattling sound.
Revolution Per Minute
Both WEN and Harbor come with a series of RPMs.
The RPM of WEN falls in the range of 740 and 3140.
On the other hand, the RPM of Harbor Freight falls in the range of 760 and 3070.
Hydraulic Mechanism
The hydraulic mechanism of Harbor Freight is rough and comes with significant handles.
On the contrary, the hydraulic mechanism of the WEN drill press is smooth and comes with small handles.
Moreover, the hydraulic mechanism finishing of the WEN drill press is better than its Harbor counterpart.
Light Stand
The good thing about the Harbor Freight drill press is that it has a light stand attached to it which is available in every model.
On the other hand, a light stand is only possible with certain models of WEN drill presses such as a 13-inch and a 17-inch model.
Key Holder
The good thing about the WEN drill press is that it comes with a key holder to chuck in it.
On the other hand, this feature isn’t available with the Harbor Freight drill press.
Price
To be honest, it is difficult to say the exact price of both WEN and Harbor Freight because the price may vary due time of sales and Christmas.
However, as per my experience, the price of WEN is on a bit higher side as compared to Harbor Freight but I may or may not be RIGHT seeing the demand and supply of a particular brand.
WEN 4210 Vs. SKIL 3320 Drill Press
| Features/Specifications | WEN 4210 | SKIL 3320 |
| Motor VAC, A, HP | 120 VAC, 3.2 A, 1/3 | 120 VAC, 3.2 A, not specified |
| Speeds, (RPM), Drive | 5, (570, 900, 1390, 2050, 3050), belt | 5, (570, 900, 1390, 2050, 3050), belt |
| Chuck capacity | 1/2” | 1/2” |
| Swing and Drilling capacity | 10” & 2-1/4” | 10” & 2-3/8” |
| Table size, material | 7-5/8” x 7-5/8”, cast iron | 7-5/8” x 7-5/8”, cast iron |
| Table bevel | Yes, 45o L/R | Yes, 45o L/R |
| Table vertical adjustment | Rack & pinion | Rack & pinion |
| Laser-targeting | Yes | Yes |
| Height & Weight | 28-1/4” & 58 pounds | 21-1/8” & 52.2 pounds |
FAQs
Well, as promised to my clientele, I would be taking a question on the WEN drill press in order to help you guys buy the model that suffices your drilling needs.
Are WEN drill presses any good?
Needless to say, WEN is a well-known and well-established brand in the tool domain.
Despite being a budget drill press, it doesn’t compromise the quality of the drill press.
The WEN drill press could be of great help to you in case you’re a woodworker or drill soft metal less than 1/2 inch.
Where are WEN tools made?
WEN tools are made in China, but parts and stocks are in Illinois and California.
Who makes WEN tools?
WEN tools are made by WEN, which is headquartered in Elgin, Illinois.
The company has been creating and distributing power tools for decades.
It’s A Wrap
Well, I hope you would’ve thoroughly enjoyed this comprehensive buying guide on the best WEN drill press.
So, which is your favorite WEN drill press?
How much are you willing to spend on the WEN drill press?
To be honest, all the models of the WEN drill press that we’ve reviewed in this post are worth buying.
Moreover, the best drill press is a relative term and the drill press that may be best for me may not be for you as your and mine requirement and budget may vary.
Correct me, if I’m wrong.
Lastly, share this piece of information with the ones who are looking for the best WEN drill press buying guide.
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