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You consider yourself an experienced DIYer. As an adult, you’ve owned a hand drill for as long as you can remember. You even have an impact driver at home. But a drill press? You’ve held off buying one for so long because your cordless drill seems powerful enough to drill holes in those thick pieces of wood you’ve been working on.

Until it wasn’t, and now you need a drill press. You don’t need the priciest or the most powerful one. You just need a nice and affordable portable benchtop drill press that will fit right in your workshop perfectly.

If you’re looking for a drill press, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve curated some of the best drill presses you can purchase online so you can choose which product is perfect for your workshop. You can also check out our benchtop drill press buying guide to help you get started. Let’s begin!

JET 15-Inch Benchtop Step Pulley Drill Press, 3/4 HP, 1Ph 115V (J-2530)

16-speed motor turns spindle 200 to 3,630 RPM
Large ground steel column for maximum head and table support
1-7/8" diameter quill travels 3-1/8" for deep hole applications
Telescoping safety spindle guard
Enclosed spindle assembly is supported by four permanently-lubricated ball bearings for greater precision and accuracy

WEN 4208T 2.3-Amp 8-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Drill Press

Includes a 1/2-inch keyed chuck and onboard key storage
Operates at 5 different speeds: 740, 1100, 1530, 2100, 3140 RPM
Spindle travels up to 2 inches with easy to read, locking linear depth stops for accurate and repeatable drilling operations.Cord Length (ft.):6
Durable 1/3 HP induction motor develops ample torque and power
6-1/2 x 6-1/2" worktable is height adjustable and bevels up to 45 degrees left & right

Genesis GDP1005A 10" 5-Speed 4.1 Amp Drill Press with 5/8" Chuck, Integrated LED Work Light, and Table that Rotates 360° and Tilts 0-45°

4.1 amp induction motor for quiet, smooth performance
5 speed gear box
5/8" chuck handles larger bits
Table rotates 360° and tilts 0-45°
Easy to use Rack-and-pinion table height adjustment

RIKON 30-120 13-Inch Drill Press

Powerful 1/2HP motor
16 Spindle Speeds (200-3,630)
Solid Steel and Cast Iron Construction
Rack and Pinion Table Height
Clutch Depth Stop

sale

SHOP FOX W1669 1/2-Horsepower Benchtop Radial Drill Press

Motor: 1/2 HP, 110V, 5A
Overall height: Bench model: 31-1/2"
Overall height: Bench model: 31-1/2"
Number of speeds: 5
Drill chuck: 5/8"

Grizzly Industrial G7945-34" Benchtop Radial Drill Press

This 5-speed bench-top radial drill press features variable swing up to 34-Inch and pivoting heads for drilling at just about any angle
Truly versatile! Specifications: Motor: 1/2 HP single-phase 110V Overall height: 31-1/2-Inch
160-Inch Drill chuck: 1/64-Inch-5/8-Inch Swing: 34-Inch maximum

1. JET J-2530 Bench Model Drill Press

Pros:

It has a maximum swing size of 15″.
This drill press’ spindle stroke can reach up to 3 1/8″.
It has a clear and telescoping chuck guard.
It is quite heavy, and its weight prevents it from walking or wobbling during operation.
It has a wide range of spindle speeds (16 in all).

Cons:

This is one of the priciest drill presses on the list.
Its motor delivers only 3/4 HP of power.

Sebring Tip:

Your cordless drill is always handy around the home, but whenever you need to work on a thicker piece of wood or if you need to bore holes with more precision, then you have to turn to your drill press. If you’re looking for a new drill press, then check out the JET J-2530 Bench Model Drill Press. The design and features are pretty basic, but it will do if you just want a reliable drill press for your workshop.

It features a good 3/4 HP motor that can take on some of the toughest materials. The motor hums during operation, but it doesn’t vibrate so much that it ruins the precision of your work. The build is quite sturdy. The body is made of heavy-duty steel, while the work table and the base are made of cast iron.

It features a clear plastic chuck guard, and its 15″ swing size is larger than the usual. It can be used not only to drill holes in wood but also tougher materials such as mild steel and cast iron.

2. WEN 4208 Drill Press

Pros:

This is a pretty affordable drill press.
It is easy to assemble and easy to use.
It has an 8″ swing size, making it ideal for home use.
It features a 5-speed operation.
This drill press is equipped with a powerful 1/3 HP motor.

Cons:

Wobbling can be an issue.
It only has a 2″ quill stroke.

Sebring Tip:

Drilling holes with precision is easier with the WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press. It features a powerful 1/3 HP induction motor that can take on the toughest pieces of wood or metal. You can switch anywhere between 750 RPM to 3140 RPM depending on the type of project you’re working on.

This drill press is ideal for light projects as it has an 8″ swing size and 2″ quill stroke. If you’re looking for something you can use for large projects or you’re working on particularly tough material, then this might not be the right drill press for you.

The wide table can be angled up to 45° on both sides, and the depth adjustment is easily accessible at the front. The base is made of a heavy and sturdy cast iron base.

3. Genesis GDP1005A Drill Press

Pros:

The table can be tilted up to 45° left and right, and it can be rotated 360°.
It comes with a built-in work light to illuminate your work area.
This is an affordable drill press for many DIYers.
This is one of the most affordable drill presses on the market.
It has a 10″ swing size which is good enough for most DIYers.

Cons:

Wobbling and vibration are common problems for some units.

Sebring Tip:

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, light-duty drill press, then check out the Genesis GDP1005A Drill Press. Its steel body is solidly built, while its cast-iron support ensures that the equipment has a stable base to stand on. Performance is fairly powerful and reliable thanks to its 4.1 amp motor.

It features a five-speed setting, giving you greater control of its speed and torque. It can also accommodate larger bits with its 5/8″ chuck. It does not come with a laser, but this is one of few drill presses with a built-in LED that ensures you can see your work surface even if your garage or workshop is poorly lit.

This is a serviceable drill press for some DIYers because of its fairly reliable performance and affordable price point. But if you’re looking for something that can take on the toughest pieces of wood and metal, then this might not be the right drill press for you.

4. RIKON 30-120 13-Inch Drill Press

Pros:

It has as much as 16 spindle speeds.
This is ideal for heavy-duty use thanks to its 1/2 HP motor.
The cast-iron base and head, and the steel body ensure durability.
Assembly is fairly easy.
Rikon’s customer service is more impressive than most brands’.
Its swing size is 13″.

Cons:

There’s not much space between the feed lever and the pulley safety guard for your hand.

Sebring Tip:

The RIKON 30-120 13-Inch Drill Press is a sensible choice if you’re a DIYer who wants something reliable to use at home. This power tool features a rugged 1/2 HP motor that can take on the toughest pieces of wood and metal. The swing size reaches up to 13″ which is longer than your usual light-duty drill press.

It has a variable speed setting, allowing you to switch anywhere between 200 and 3630 RPM. The column is made of solid stainless steel while the motor’s body and the base are made of cast iron. This solid construction ensures that vibration, walking, and wobbling won’t be a problem during operation.

This machine belongs in the mid-price range which makes it ideal for DIYers who want a quality yet affordable drill press at home.

5. SHOP FOX W1669 Benchtop Radial Drill Press

Pros:

It features an impressive 34″ swing size.
This drill press has a variable speed setting.
It has a universal sliding headstock that slides back and forth smoothly.
Assembling the machine is fairly hassle-free.
It comes with a clear plastic chuck guard.

Cons:

The machine vibrates so bad it affects drill hole precision.
It is quite expensive.

Sebring Tip:

Check out the SHOP FOX W1669 Benchtop Radial Drill Press. It has a distinct industrial design with its longer pulley safety guard to its sliding headstock to its base. It features a good 1/2 HP motor and 5-speed settings. The columns are made of solid steel, while the base is made of sturdy cast iron.

Adjusting its height and quill stroke is a breeze. It has a sliding headstock that is easy to adjust, and its maximum swing reaches up to 34″ in diameter. This allows you to work on wider pieces of materials in your workshop.

Despite its powerful motor, its performance is not as reliable as that of other brands. Vibration and stalling are primary issues the manufacturer should deal with.

6. Grizzly Industrial G7945 Radial Drill Press

Pros:

It features a heavy-duty 1/2 HP motor.
This is a versatile 5-speed drill press.
You can work on thicker pieces of wood as its quill travel reaches up to 3 1/4″.
Its swing size reaches up to 34″.
The base is made of heavy cast iron.

Cons:

This is one of the priciest drill presses on the list.

Sebring Tip:

Cheap yet small drill presses are nice, but your projects need something more heavy-duty than those machines. The Grizzly Industrial G7945 Radial Drill Press is the ideal tool whether you’re a professional or you’re a DIYer who frequently works on larger projects. You can see at first glance that it is made of thick and tough materials with its sturdy built and heavy cast-iron base.

It has a powerful 1/2 HP motor, making it ideal for small commercial or heavy-duty residential use. The head and the table can be tilted left and right, while the maximum swing size reaches up to 34″. What sets it apart is the presence of a clear plastic chuck guard.

Its weight and its sturdy cast-iron base prevent it from walking or wobbling. Keep in mind that this is a pricey tool, but it is worth the hefty price tag because of its performance and durability.

Choosing The Best Drill Press

There are two types of drill presses, and these are floor drill presses and benchtop drill presses. Floor drill presses feature full-length columns with heights that vary anywhere between 56″ to 68″. Their bases are wider than benchtop drill presses to ensure that they can hold the weight of the motor and the head. Their swing sizes are typically wider than that of benchtop drill presses, and they bore deeper holes, too. In general, floor drill presses are constructed for heavy-duty use, making them more suitable for professional use.

Benchtop drill presses are built for smaller and lighter projects. They are shorter than floor drill presses, allowing you to set them on top of a workbench. These portable drill presses are ideal for smaller projects, but there are small bench drill presses that are rugged enough that they can be used for professional settings.

In this article, we’re going to focus on benchtop drill presses. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the best benchtop drill presses on the market right now.

Motor Power

If you’re planning to drill holes on lighter materials or you’re planning to use the machine only occasionally, then it’s best to get a small drill press with a 3/4 HP motor. But if you’re looking for something that you can use for business or if you’re planning to use the power tool every day, then it is recommended for you to get a drill press equipped with a 1/2 HP motor or higher.

Variable Speed Setting

Some drill presses feature 5 speeds, while others have as much as 16 speeds. This feature allows you to choose which speed setting is ideal for the material you’re working on. If you’re boring holes on wood, for example, then it is recommended to choose a higher speed setting. But if you’re working on metal or other thicker materials, then it’s best to switch to a slower speed setting.

best benchtop drill press table

Swing size

13″. 10″. 20″. These measurements are frequently found in the titles and product descriptions of drill presses, but what do they mean? These are swing sizes and these numbers indicate the distance between the drill press column and the machine’s chuck.

So why is it important? Well, this measurement determines whether you can work on a wider piece of wood or not. Let’s say you have a 10″ drill press. To be able to drill a hole in your workpiece, the distance between the hole and the column should be no more than 5″. If you need to drill a hole in wider workpieces, then you’ll need a drill press with a larger swing size.

Maximum Quill Travel

If you frequently drill holes on thicker pieces of wood or metal, then quill travel will be a crucial factor in choosing the right drill press for you. Quill travel, also known as quill stroke, refers to how far down the chuck and bit can travel when you crank the machine’s handle.

The WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press, for example, is ideal for thinner pieces of wood as its maximum quill travel is set at 2″. The Grizzly Industrial G7945 Radial Drill Press, on the other hand, can bore up to 3 1/4″. Some heavy-duty drill presses can drill as much as 6″ holes in thicker pieces of wood or metal.

What a drill press can do is pretty basic, but did you know that there are other unique things you can do with it? Check out this interesting video to learn more.

best benchtop drill press table

Drill Press FAQs

What else may a drill press be used for besides drilling holes?

The primary use of a drill press is to drill holes, especially large-bore holes or holes that don’t go completely through the wood, although the equipment has other uses. With the proper bit or accessory, your drill press may also be used to drill square holes, deburr wood or metal, sand or clean wood and metal, and polish or buff wood or metal surfaces.

Can I utilize the same drill bits in my drill press and my portable power drill?

As a general rule, you can use the same bits with your drill press that you do with your corded or cordless power drill, as long as the shank size of the bit does not exceed the chuck size of your drill press (the most common chuck size for a conventional tabletop drill press is 1/2 inch). On the other hand, drill presses can take larger diameter bits than a typical power drill, which is one of their primary benefits.

Is it possible to replace the drill press with a regular drill?

If you only need the precision of a drill press for one project, you may not want to buy the entire tool. If you don’t want to drill huge holes or into tough materials, you can get comparable results by using a frame designed to hold a corded or cordless drill in place while you use it. These frames rotate, allowing you to precisely position the drill and keep it far more stable throughout operation than you could with your hand alone.

Conclusion:

If you’re a DIY enthusiast seeking a top-notch, all-in-one drill press with desirable features like a digital readout, adjustable speeds, and a premium worktable, the WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press is a perfect choice. However, if budget-consciousness is a priority, consider the WEN 8-Inch 5-Speed Drill Press—a compact, lightweight option that still delivers excellent performance for most drilling tasks.

6 Best Drill Press [2024 Reviews]

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1. JET J-2530 Bench Model Drill Press

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Cons:

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2. WEN 4208 Drill Press

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3. Genesis GDP1005A Drill Press

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4. RIKON 30-120 13-Inch Drill Press

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5. SHOP FOX W1669 Benchtop Radial Drill Press

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6. Grizzly Industrial G7945 Radial Drill Press

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