If you are looking to bore perfect holes in a variety of materials, you cannot always do it by hand. This is because drilling holes manually can lead to many mistakes. If you want a professional looking job, you are going to have to use the best drill press. You can create numerous, repeating holes that are of equal depth and size, and all will be straight and neat.
This makes this task a lot more accurate as well as a lot faster. Of course not all drill presses are the same. There are different types of drill presses and they have their own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at what each of these machines are capable of:
Types of Drill Presses – Floor/Laser, Benchtop and Magnetic
The best Drill presses can be distinguished by their portability as well as the methodology used for boring holes in a variety of materials. This means that drill presses can be divided in to floor drill presses, benchtop drill presses, magnetic drill presses, and laser drill presses. Here is how they work:
Floor/Laser Drill Press
The larger and best Floor drill presses are also referred to as stationary drill presses. These best drill presses remain fixed to one place and cannot be moved easily. They are typically used for professional tasks as they tend to be more powerful than other types of drill presses. This means that they are capable of drilling through may different types of materials, no matter how hard the material, or how difficult the job is.
A laser drill press is a type of floor drill press. In this instance, however, the drill is guided by a laser. This allows for a more precise drilling experience, resulting in more accurately placed holes.
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Can handle more materials
- Can be used for industrial purposes
- Has multiple attachments such as lasers for guided drilling
Cons
- Not portable
- More expensive
Benchtop Drill Press
Much like the name suggests, these the best benchtop drill press can be fixed to the top of a work bench or other form of counter. They can also be mounted on their own stand. These machines are quite easy to store and much more affordable than a floor drill press. Nonetheless, they are typically more suited to household tasks and smaller drilling jobs. Read on further and we have prepared a thorough list of the top 7 best drill press reviews.
Pros
- Cheaper
- Can be easily stored
- Moderately powered
Cons
- Can bore through limited materials
- Not as powerful as floor drill press
Magnetic Drill Press
A magnetic drill press utilizes an electromagnetic base that causes metal materials to adhere to it. This drill press is quite portable and can be moved from one work site to another with ease. These machines are also quite powerful as they can bore through thick slabs of steel.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Effective with thick metals
- Can drill in multiple positions
Cons
- More expensive than benchtop drills
Top 7 Best Drill Press Reviews
The WEN 4208 makes up for its small size with its powerful motor. This drill press has an eight inch swing and has up to five speeds to choose from. It is capable of drilling through plastic, wood, and even metal. It has a durable construction with a maximum drill capacity of ½ inch with one inch thick cast iron.
Powerful Motor
This mighty induction motor is capable of an output of 1/3 horsepower. In addition to being a durable component, it is also capable of producing more than enough of power and torque to get the job done.
Wide Range
The motor provides the option of five different pace levels. This ranges from 620 to 3100 RPM. This means the best drill press can be adjusted to be utilized for a variety of tasks.
Quiet
Despite the power of the motor, the WEN 4208 is a quiet drill press. You will be able to keep it in your workshop as it barely makes a hum while working.
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Variety of pace levels
- Works with different material types
- Quiet
Cons
- Cannot be used for more demanding tasks
For a floor drill press, the JET JDP-17 has quite the compact design. One of its best features, however, remains the higher than average 5 inch spindle travel. This drill press also comes equipped with a powerful motor. In addition, there is a large precision ground table, which adds to the overall versatility of this machine. No wonder it is on the list of the top 7 best drill press reviews.
High Spindle Travel
The 5 inch spindle travel is not only better than most other types of drill presses, it also allows for many advantages. For instance, it allows for complete and precise penetration without the need for templates. This will help to save time on tasks.
Exceptional Motor
The icing on the top, the JET JDP-17 boasts a motor with ¾ horsepower. This makes it easier to drill through different materials, making the press more efficient.
Variable Speeds
The motor permits the presence of sixteen spindle speeds, which places this machine high on the list of variable speed drill presses. They range from 210 to 3500 RPM. It is very easy to switch from one speed to another due to one-handed belt tensioning.
Pros
- 5 inch spindle travel
- Powerful motor
- 16 variable speeds
Cons
- Advanced vibration
The great thing about the JET 354170 drill press is that it can be used by experts as well as for household purposes. The variety of features including the motor, spindle speeds, and drilling capacity makes this one of the best drill presses to suit your needs.
The Motor
This motor is considerably more impressive than most other drill presses at 1.5 horsepower. This means that more demanding tasks can easily be tackled.
Spindle Speeds
The JET 354170 is also quite generous with the many speed options. As a user you can choose between 12 speeds between 150 to 4200 RPM. This means that the considerable motor can be wrangled to handle a wide range of tasks.
Drilling Capacity
Yet another notable feature is the drill capacity of the JET 354170. It is one inch with cast iron and third-fourth of an inch with mild steel.
Pros
- Potent motor
- Variable spindle speeds
- Considerable drilling capacity
- Large dimensions
Cons
- Assembly can be complicated
The advantage of the Shop Fox W1668 is that is truly a versatile drill press with many different functions. It has a good motor and variable spindle speeds of up to 3050 RPM. It can be easily fitted onto a variety of counters.
More Accommodating
Due to the power and variety of speeds, this drill press can be used for a variety of tasks. It is capable of being used for mild as well as more considerable drilling activities. This gives it a wide range of capabilities.
Tilting Table
The table can tilt 90 degrees either to the left or the right. The height and angle can be adjusted according to the task at hand, allowing for more creative options.
Sanding Capability
Unlike most drill presses, the Shop Fox W1668 has a sanding ability. The oscillating features on this drill press allows it precisely sand in addition to drill. This function can be activated without the need for any tools.
Pros
- Can be used for multiple tasks
- Flexible tilting table
- Additional sanding capability
Cons
- Requires assembly which may be a little complicated for beginners
The SKIL 3320-01 laser boring machine is the perfect tool for those in-between jobs that require a little more power than even the best drill presses. Its multiple speeds and additional laser beam features allows the SKIL drill press to be precise in multiple situations. High speed and accuracy is definitely in the top 7 best drill press reviews.
Laser X2
This makes the drilling procedure a lot more precise, allowing you to drill holes exactly where you want them. This feature is aided by the depth adjustment system which allows holes of the same depth to be reached every time.
Multiple Speed System
This drill press offers five different speeds. This allows it to drill through metal, wood, and a variety of other materials.
Accepts Larger Materials
Due to the different speeds offered as well as the half-inch keyed chuck, larger pieces of material can be cut through. These features permit higher diameters to fit in the drill press.
Pros
- Laser boring machine for precision
- Can drill through many different materials
- Larger objects can be drilled
Cons
- The range of the tilting table is a little limited
The DEWALT DWE1622K drilling machine is definitely a tool that you would want on a work site if you were looking for a reliable and precise drill press. The sheer power of this drill press allows it to easily drill through most materials. To balance out this incredible capacity, there are also plenty of safety features installed.
Heavy Duty
The DEWALT DWE1622K drilling machine produces 10 amps of power, with two settings to control it. The settings are at 350 RPM and 450 RPM. This means that it is capable of cutting through most materials found on a work site. Best of all, it does not compromise the accuracy of the drilling.
Safety
There is an overload component that is in place to offset the power. When the motor begins to overheat, the drill press will automatically shut down. In addition to providing safety, it is also prolongs the DEWALT DWE1622K lifespan.
Ease of Use
The coolant can be easily attached to multiple surfaces. This increases the amount of control that you can exert over the DEWALT DWE1622K orientation. The quick-change chuck system ensures that you do not need any tools to change from the 3/4-inch Wheldon Shank to the 1/2-inch keyed chuck.
Pros
- Powerful enough for heavy duty tasks
- Easy to use for drilling
- Easy to use for boring
- Comprehensive safety features
Cons
- At over 47 pounds, it can be a little heavy to handle for most
If you are looking for precision, then look no further than the Delta 18-900L drill press. The presence of the TWINLASER means that you will get the most accurate drill position possible. The myriad of features on this drill press ensures that it is ideal for industrial jobs that need to be done quickly.
Adjustable Speeds
There are sixteen different speeds, meaning that the Delta 18-900L drill press can be used with many different type of materials. You have options ranging from 170 RPM to 3000 RPM.
Efficiency
The presence of an auto tensioning belt drive system in the Delta 18-900L best drill press makes it a unique tool. Transmission efficiency and consistent belt tension means that the work is done much faster than with other tools.
Precision
This best drill press is also one of the more precise tools on the market. The TWINLASER, micro adjustable depth stop, and independent depth scale means that repetitive drilling can take place quickly and easily.
Pros
- 16 variable speeds
- Auto tensioning belt drive system for efficiency
- Precise controls
Cons
- Can be a little complicated to assemble.
Conclusion
If you want to buy the best drill press on the market, you should carefully go through this list. Look at all of the benefits as well as advantages that are afforded by each option from our list of the top 7 best drill press reviews. Carefully consider your needs and see which tool matches it perfectly. This way, you will be able to find the best drill press that is worth your time and investment.
We have also conducted a review of the Best Pillar Drills, click here to read our review.
So insightful, I am definitely passing this on to my father. He is mad about anything relating to DIY and home-improvements.
“Transmission efficiency and consistent belt tension means that the work is done much faster than with other tools.”
What I think that, some job posting needs people to work multi-tasks. Then, in order to meet this, efficient is one of criteria to finish tasks.
Wow! I did not see any machine from Bosch, Makita, or Black and Decker. Perhaps they all fell off the list for some reason. Even so, the roster herein does deserve some attention. This is a good reference.
I will go to DEWALT DWE1622K. It is powerful, easy to use, and have complete safety features. I don’t care how heavy it is. For me, it’s not an issue.
The DEWALT DWE1622K is the best driller for me because of its capability to drill through most materials found in construction sites.I also like its safety measures which enable it last longer.
I like to DIY at home sometimes, but there are just some tasks that I’d rather have my husband do. I saw him once using a drill press which he borrowed from our neighbor. I don’t think he borrowed it again. But, just in case, I’ll have him go over this list. I think it’s better to own one because we never know when he’s gonna need it again. Thank you.
Pretty neat list! I see DeWalt having the most number of stars. Not a surprise as they’re No. 1 in the industry. A brand you can truly depend on. Good job in coming up with this ranking!
My brother had the JET 354170 one. Yes, it was hard to assemble, and it wasn’t my brother’s first drill press.
DEWALT DWE1622K is still leading for heavy duty press drilling. It is practical to have it, since it could drill almost anything.
Some of the items reviewed seem to share the common trait of being complicated to assemble. If one would not need to move this machine after assembly, that should not be much of a problem. I mean, it is possible to request for assembly assistance from a manufacturer’s customer support, is it not?
A must-have in a man’s tool box. Really, technology has gone a long way. Human tools and implements have evolved according to man’s environment and needs. Homo sapiens, innovative as he is, has imagined and created a lot of tools to improve his life since the Stone Age.
Thanks for adding WEN-series drill press in your article. My favorite is WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press, in which i loved everything about it. Please add some review about it in your next post. Thanks in advanced!!
Thanks Carlton, you are correct, some of these Wen products are well worth checking out.
As a matter of fact, I just posted this article on the best nail gun reviews, and WEN also rate highly on that score also!
There are many appliances that we use in the garage or shed. The drill press needs electricity to run! It is a good feeling to know that you have your own energy supply to run your power tools.
This is a really good list ! My last drill press was a cheap dremel 220-01 drill press that broke down shortly after use. I really needed something better and after reading your review, I have decided that the Wen 4208 was the best suited for me. Thanks for writing these reviews, they were really helpful !