Buying yourself a drill press that you can rely on is a big investment. From drilling to reaming to counterboring, owning the best drill press is essential for the average handyman or a full-time professional.
Unfortunately, not all drill presses are created equally. They come in all different shapes and sizes and some are better for specific uses while others may be better for another. This means that finding the right drill press for you can be a bit tricky.
So, what is the best drill press? This article was created to help you understand all the ins and outs of the best drill presses on the market. Keep reading for an in-depth breakdown followed by an insightful buying guide to help you make your purchase.
Table of Contents
A quick glance of Best Drill Press
The Best Best Drill Press on the Market of 2020
1. WEN 4208 8 inch 5-Speed Drill Press (Our Top Recommended)
The Wen 4208 is a great drill press for those who are looking or a lot of versatility within their drill press. It can operate at five different RPM speeds: 740, 100, 1530, 2100, and 3140.
The motor is a ⅓ horsepower induction motor and can develop plenty of torque and power for even the toughest projects. The motor comes in at 120 volts and 60 Hz.
The worktable's height is also adjustable to be suitable for whatever project or work that you're dealing with. It can be raised to 6 ½ inches and can be tilted 45 degrees to the left or right as well. Whatever angle or height is needed for what you're working on, the WEN 4208 will be able to handle it.
On the downside, this drill is known to have a bit of an issue with the springs that it comes with. Sometimes, they're known to break and you'll need to replace them to keep your drill press in tip-top shape.
- Adjustable worktable almost any needs
- Five different RPM speeds
- Powerful motor with enough torque to get even the toughest of jobs done
- Is known to have some issues with springs breaking over time
2. SKIL 3320-01 32 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press (Best for the Money)
The KSIL 3320-01 is a relatively simple drill press but comes with everything you need to get work done. No, it doesn't come with the latest frills and attachments. However, it comes with everything you need to get the job done well.
You'll find that it has five RPM speeds that range from 570 to 3,050 so you can tackle a variety of projects. The worktable is also adjustable and can be raised up or down and tilted from the left or right.
If you're someone who needs a solid drill press or amateur use or periodic use, this can be an ideal drill press. You won't break the bank and you'll be pleased with the results.
On the downside, the overall weight of the drill press comes in at a little bit more than 50 pounds. This can make transporting or moving the drill press a bit cumbersome as the shape of drill presses aren't the easiest to manage.
- Adjustable worktable that tilts as well as lifts
- It can be great for amateurs or professionals who don't need extra features or equipment
- Five RPM speeds to match a variety of needs
- It can be a bit cumbersome to transport so make sure you place it in the most convenient spot right away
3. WEN 4210T 10 Inch Dill Press with Laser
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The WEN 4210T is great for those who are seeking industrial power with a bit of added flexibility. RPM speeds available with this drill include 600, 1100, 1700, 2400, and 3100.
The frame is constructed from cast iron, so don't worry about scratching or denting this beast – it's durable enough to last the ages. However, you'll need to make sure you're consistently cleaning the cast iron parts to avoid rust build-up.
The ½-inch chuck combined with the JT33 spindle taper helps with the versatility of the drill press as well. You can work with a variety of bits to match whatever your needs are at the time.
To top it off, an X pattern is used on the worktable to help the laser be extremely precise with whatever drilling you're doing. This helps you lock on to whatever you're targeting and reduce the human error behind a project to almost zero.
- Extremely precise because of the laser technology included
- The frame is made from cast iron to increase its reliability and durability
- You can use a variety of bits to match your project's needs
- You'll need to keep constant maintenance with this drill to prevent rust build-up from occurring on the cast iron frame
4. Shop Fox w1848 Oscillating Floor Drill Press
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The Shop Fox w1848 is a great floor drill press for those looking for a lot of range in their RPM and want versatility in their professional lives through a drill press. The RPM comes in five speeds from 250 to 3050.
This model is the big brother to the W1667 and W1668 oscillating drill presses. The oscillating spindle provides efficient contour sanding. You'll be able to convert from drilling to sanding with relative ease. The whole process of switching back and forth will only take a few seconds. You won't even need any tools.
The worktable can tilt quite a ways. Most drill presses allow for a 45-degree tilt. However, the Shop Fox W1848 offers 90-degree tilting to the lift or right.
If you're a professional or amateur who works on all sorts of projects – from drilling to sanding – this drill press will help you achieve both with little hassle.
On the downside, this drill press isn't made for amateur use. It's geared toward professionals and, at the bare minimum, skilled amateurs who understand the ins and outs of what they're doing.
- Comes with the option to switch to sand drilling
- Allows you to tilt the worktable up to 90 degrees to either the left or right
- A wide range of RPM speeds that start at 250
- Geared toward professionals and those who have in-depth knowledge of drill presses and how they function
5. SE 3-Speed Mini Drill Press Bench – 97511MDP
This mini drill press bench is ideal for those who work with smaller projects and sizes. The base dimensions come in at 6 ⅝ inches x 6 ⅝ inches. This helps you make more precise drills on objects that are quite small.
Bit sizes can vary and the product comes with a six mm chuck key.
Having a small, portable drill press does come with a negative. You'll lose some of the power that you'd have with a full-size drill press and you'll only have a few options in terms of RPM speed.
- Portable and fairly lightweight for those who want to be able to work on their projects wherever they are
- Great if you're frequently needing a drill press for relatively small objects
- Works with a variety of bit sizes
- You lose out on the power and range of RPM speeds that you'd have with a full-size drill press
6. Delta 18-900L 18-Inch Laser Drill Press
The Delta 18-900L is made for precision and efficiency. It's ideal for both amateur and professional use. However, you should have a firm grasp on the workings of a drill press before purchasing this product as it comes with some features that may go over the head of someone not familiar with the equipment.
For example, this drill press comes with an auto-tensioning belt drive system. This will help you to change the speed of your drill press easily and quickly while still keeping the maximum transmission efficiency. This helps you do your work faster while keeping the machinery intact and without any damage.
If you need to do repetitive drilling, this can be a great drill press for you. It has micro-adjustable depth stops with an independent depth scale that allows you to set up repetitive drilling relatively easily and fast.
The laser works by projecting a red crosshair on the work that you have set up. This helps you make precise drills with little to no human error whatsoever.
- Comes with a red crosshair laser for extremely precise drills
- Ideal for those who need to do repetitive drilling
- Designed to last longer and be more efficient by using the auto-tensioning belt
- It requires a fairly large amount of knowledge on how drill presses function to be able to effectively use all of the features. In other words, it's not made for beginners.
7. JET 354170/JDP-20MF 2-Inch Floor Drill Press
The JET 354170 is extremely powerful and is meant to handle the toughest projects that require drilling. It comes with a 20-inch floor drill press with a 1.5 horsepower motor. A horsepower and a half of drilling? That's reliable high power that you simply won't find in most other drill presses.
It also comes with a traveling table that raises and lowers at the turn of a crank. There's no awkward tinkering required to adjust the height. It's simple and easy and requires only a couple of cranks.
The RPM speeds available on this bad boy are extremely varied. You'll have 12 different spindle speeds that range from 150 RPM to 4200. Whatever you need, this drill press is almost guaranteed to be able to handle it.
Of course, it includes the drill chuck and key as well.
The only downside on this drill press comes in its weight. It's a total of 288 pounds. The heavy-duty metals that are made to use the frame and its inner components are well made and you can expect them to last for years upon years. However, they're durable and tough becomes of how tough and heavy the metal is.
This will make transporting the drill press or moving it around your garage or shop quite a pain. You'll need to make sure that you're placing it in the best spot the first time to avoid future headaches
- The ideal drill press for someone who needs a lot of power behind their drilling
- It comes with 12 different spindle speeds to handle a wide variety of project needs
- It's made from high quality, durable metal to keep it working and lasting through the ages
- It's extremely heavy, even compared to other durable drill presses. Total weight of 288 pounds means moving this thing at all will be a pain in the butt
8. SHOP Fox W1670 ½ -Horsepower Floor Radial Drill Press
The SHOP Fox is an all-around universal drill press that can be great for amateur handymen as well as professionals.
The motor is half a horsepower strong, so a bit weaker than others. However, it's more than enough power to get most jobs done. The spindle has five different RPM speeds to handle a variety of projects.
You'll be able to tilt the drill to almost any angle necessary, which is a large bonus compared to the standard 45 degree tilts that most drill presses allow. If you have awkward drills you need to make, the Shop Fox W1670 can be essential to getting perfect drills every time.
Not only does the worktable tilt, but so does the headstock. This is what allows you to drill at almost any angle. You can come up with hundreds of different crazy positions to get the job done no matter how awkward it may seem. This is what's going to sell this drill press over all the others.
On top of all this, the item only weighs approximately one pound. Pick it up, throw it in the car, and head off to your buddies house to get some work done. Whatever you need to do with the drill press, you can bring it along with you almost anywhere.
- Extremely lightweight to the point that it's portable
- Able to tilt both the worktable as well as the headstock to drill at almost any angle
- Five different RPM speeds to tackle different jobs
- Not as powerful as other drills you may see for a similar price point
9. Genesis GDP1005A 10-Inch 5-Speed 4.1 Amp Drill Press
The Genesis is an ideal drill for those who may beginner but can be suitable for professionals as well.
It comes with all the standard features that you'd find with other drill presses. You'll be able to choose from five different RPM speeds, rotate the table around, and tilt it to a maximum of 45 degrees. It's all standard stuff in the world of drill presses.
So, what makes it different?
It's extremely user friendly. In other words, even if you've never used a drill press before, you can pilot this piece of machinery with ease. It has a rack-and-pinion table height adjustment and you'll simply need to crank the lever a few times for adjustment.
It also has a ⅝" chuck to handle larger bits. This is a large bonus over other drill presses as it's a common problem to not be able to use larger drill bits in some pieces of machinery.
It's powered by a 4.1 amp induction motor, which can be a bit disappointing in terms of power. However, it's extremely quiet. If you're a garageman like many of us average Joes out there, this can be perfect. You won't have your wife screaming from the living room that your drill press is too noisy. Instead, this motor works to remain as quiet as possible to keep the peace in whatever scenario you're in.
- The 4.1 amp induction motor helps keep the noise down without losing too much power
- It's able to handle a wide variety of bits – including larger ones
- Comes with all the standard features of a drill press for a fair price point
- Extremely user friendly to the point that a beginner could operate it with ease
- It doesn't come with the extra features that a more robust drill press could offer
10. Jet JDP-17 ¾ hp Drill Press
The Jet JDP-17 is a relatively powerful drill that comes with the features you've grown to expect from most drill presses. It comes with a variety of RPM speeds and you can tilt the worktable to your needs.
However, it also comes with several features that aren't the most common. These extra features help it stand out from amongst its competitors.
First, the worktable that comes with this drill press is huge. Comparatively, it can even be considered beyond huge. It's 14 x 9 inches large – that's more than any other worktable on this list. Whatever you're drilling, you can rest assured that it will more than likely fit on this worktable. Incorporated into this table includes twin T-slot grooves and four table slots to add versatility to the different projects you could work on.
If you need to constantly change speeds while drilling, the Jet JDP has got your back It has a one-handed belt tensioning system. This will allow you to switch speeds quickly and easily without damaging the drill at all.
In terms of safety, the Jet JDP is robust. It has a power switch with a safety key and a padded-style off button to avoid any mistakes that could harm you.
Finally, it features a depth stop that makes repetitive drilling a breeze when it's usually a pain.
- A giant worktable that can handle almost any sized object that you need to drill
- The one-handed belt tensioning system allows you to quickly change speeds without damaging your equipment
- It comes with robust safety features
- Repetitive drilling is easy because of the depth stop that comes with the product
- It's made for pros and only pros should use it. This is a relatively high-end drill press and isn't made for a beginner or amateur to use.
Buying Guide
Knowing what the best drill presses are and the features they provide is great. But, it won't tell you which drill press is best for you and your situation. In reality, the best drill press is the drill press that fits your specific needs best.
Are you an amateur handyman and need a drill press for some DIY home projects? That's awesome, but you don't need the latest drill press that weighs 300 pounds and comes with ten different extra features.
In the same vein, if you're a professional, you need a drill press that is reliable, tough, and can get all the work done that you need it to.
It comes down to knowing what you should be looking for when purchasing a drill press. With that in mind, keep reading to see some of the most important aspects of a drill press that you should consider when making your purchase.
The Motor's Power
The power behind the motor of your drill press is going to matter a lot. It matters more than almost any other feature of a drill press.
That's because the power behind the motor will translate into how quickly you can drill through objects. Not having enough power behind your motor may also limit the kind of material that you'll be effectively able to drill into.
Consider the material you'll be drilling most often and how frequently you'll need to power through it. In general, anything more than half a horsepower is considered to be fairly strong.
The Angle You Can Drill At
If you're working with awkwardly shaped items, you're going to need a drill that can work at a variety of angles.
Often, a drill press will only tilt its worktable up to 45 degrees. Normally, this is more than enough elbow room. However, if you're working with objects that have an abnormal shape, you may need something more robust.
Look for worktables that can be tilted up to 90 degrees. If that's still not enough, consider looking for a drill press that allows the headstock to be tilted as well. Between a tilting worktable and a tilting headstock, there's almost no angle that you won't be able to effectively drill.
Conclusion – The Best Drill Press, Our Choice
Choosing the best drill press for you isn’t an easy decision. Take into consideration what you need for your specific circumstance before making your decision. Whether you need a universal drill press, one intended for amateurs, or the best drill press for a professional, this article is meant to guide you through the ins and outs of all the best drill presses available on the market.
Remember to always consider the power of the motor, the angles you can drill at, and other features that you may need for your specific projects.
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