Best Benchtop Drill Press for Woodworking – Powertoolsguyd

One of the most common types of drill presses has to be the ever-popular, ever-handy, benchtop drill presses. We love them for how versatile, easy to use, and precise they are. If you’ve used benchtop drill presses before, then you know exactly what we are talking about. Benchtop drill presses make drilling accurate holes, which is otherwise risky and time-consuming, a piece of cake. And any professional carpenter or even a first-time user can vouch for that.

If this is your first time stepping into the world of drill presses, don’t fret because we will break down all the necessary information for you in this article. Have a look at our article to know all about our top choices for the best benchtop drill presses for woodworking. Not only do we have suggestions for the best drill presses, but we also have suggestions for drill recess at mind-blowing prices.

Our Top 4 Picks

• WEN 4214 Variable Speed Drill Press: This drill press is one of the best WEN drill presses on the market today because of how user-friendly it is for both beginners and pros to operate.
• WEN 4208T Benchtop Drill Press: This is an excellent drill press at an affordable price. The WEN 4208T has all the top-notch features that are available in other expensive drill presses. This is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best budget drill press.
• Shop Fox W1668 Bench-Top Drill Press: With its sturdy construction, and well-built structure, this drill press has been made to last. Even if it goes through hell, this drill press will walk right out, without a wobble or a scratch. This has to be the best drill press for your money.
• SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press: This drill press has literal laser precision because of its X2 2-Beam Laser which results in precise, accurate work with every single use, you can use it for thin and thick materials alike and get smooth results every time! This is the best 10-inch table-top drill press!

Since You now know exactly what drill presses we have in mind for our top choices, read further to know why each product made it into the top.

Top rated Benchtop Drill Press for Woodworking Reviews

WEN 4214 Variable Speed Drill Press

Top Specs

• Weight: 89.1 pounds
• Dimensions: 13.5 x 36.63 x 16.75 inches
• Voltage: 120 Volts
• Power Source: Corded Electric

Product Description

This is a power-packed drill press that can smoothly take the workload of drilling through tough material such as wood, metal, and even heavy cast iron. Its powerful 12-inch swing, and its induction motor of 5 amps aid its strength and durability.

Because of the WEN 4212’s innovative and exciting features, it makes drilling and boring holes a breeze. This drill has a centering precision laser, a bevelling work table that conveniently tilts 45 degrees left and right, and a work light that makes using this drill press an enjoyable experience for both professionals and amateurs alike. These features ensure that you can work even in dim light and get precise, accurate results every single time.

 

WEN 4208T Benchtop Drill Press

Top Specs

• Weight: 31 pounds
• Dimensions: 7.5 x 22.88 x 11 inches
• Voltage: 120 Volts
• Power Source: ‎AC

Product Description

This has to be one of the most versatile drill presses you will ever come across- because of its five-speed feature, this drill press can practically work with almost any and every material.

To aid the versatility and the durability of this drill press, it comes with interesting features such as its key storage and depth adjustment gauge. With the built-in key storage, you will never have to worry about losing your key again and with the adjustment gauge, your spindle travel will automatically be limited resulting in accurate and precise crafting.

Furthermore, the WEN 4208T’s 5-speed operation and its ½ inch keyed chuck allow for the drill press to be used for various projects of various needs.

 

Shop Fox W1668 Bench-Top Drill Press

Top Specs

• Weight: ‎63 pounds
• Dimensions: 23 x 14 x 38 inches
• Voltage: 110 Volts
• Power Source: Corded Electric

Product Description

This is one of the greatest drill presses we have come across! It is a SUPER flexible drill press with its drilling as well as its oscillating capabilities. Because of its 12 speed feature, it can turn into an oscillating drill press from a regular drill press in mere seconds almost effortlessly. Using only the Shop Fox W1668 will be enough to bore holes and smoothly sand your material fluently. Because of its duality, its strong construction, and its powerful 3/4HP motor, this can be used for all sorts of heavy work and projects.

Lastly, to make your cleanup process easier, this drill press also has a dust collection port, you will never have a messy workstation ever again.

 

SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press

Top Specs:

• Weight: 50.8 pounds
• Dimensions: 21.75 x 15.25 x 9.75 inches
• Voltage: 120 Volts

Product Description

The laser feature on this drill press is the most interesting since it allows you to stay on top of your work and consistently produce exact, equal holes. While the drill’s X2-2 Beam laser produces precise holes, the SKIL 3320-01 drill press also offers a depth adjustment that controls spindle travel and ensures you bore ideal holes every single time.

This drill press is also quite adaptable, since it has five distinct speed settings, allowing it to work with a variety of materials and depths. It also includes a beveling work table that bevels 45 degrees to the left and right, allowing you to work comfortably and efficiently.

Most significantly, this drill press is backed by a three-year warranty, ensuring that your tool will last for a long time.

 

BUYING GUIDE

That was all for our top picks. However, just by knowing about the pros and cons of your preferred drill press, it won’t be a sensible decision to make such a big purchase so we have put together a buying guide with all the necessary information you will need to make the best investment of your life.

One of the most commonly asked questions or one of the places where drill press users are often confused is when the question of which is better- a drill press or a hand-held drill- is brought up. Everyone will have different opinions regarding this because everyone has different thresholds of using a drill press. However, for us the answer would always be a drill press, here is why.

Because of its more powerful engine, a drill press may be useful for working with larger, more robust materials. A drill press is an ideal type of drill for heavy woodworking jobs or even larger household furniture. Its powerful motor is ideal for handling strong materials like metal, cast iron, and thicker wood.

Drill presses are also extremely stable due to their numerous unique features. A lock adjustment is one such function that many drill presses have; the lock adjustment can secure drill bits in place so that you can work uninterruptedly. Drill presses frequently include digital readouts, which adds to the reliability and precision of the machine.

Finally, while drilling and sanding can be hazardous, utilizing a drill press rather than a handheld drill mitigates many of the risks. A hand-held drill poses a significant risk of injury because it is held so near to your hands. Drill presses, on the other hand, feature a clamp that holds your material in place, so the odds of you hurting yourself while drilling is slim.

Even though this article is solely about benchtop drill presses, there is another kind of drill press that you may want to familiarise yourself with. It is the stationary drill press which is also often known as a floor standing drill press. From reading our contents above, you will know by now that a benchtop drill press is compact, portable, and more preferred by beginners. And on the other side of the coin, we have the stationary drill press. It is more compatible with a heavy workload, bigger projects and thicker material. This type of drill press is more powerful, sturdy, stable, and will have a better, longer life.

Now that you are familiar with the different types of drill presses and their characteristics, it is important to further know about the many terms you need to know and understand before you buy your dream drill press.

SWING

When drilling to the center of your workpiece, the swing is defined as the distance between the drill’s central column and the spindle multiplied by two, and it specifies the biggest breadth of material that may be fed into the drill.

HORSEPOWER

Simply said, the higher your drill press’s horsepower, the more powerful your drill will be. Invest in a high-horsepower drill press if you’ll be drilling through thick, heavy materials. So, if you want a more professional, powerful drill press, choose one with higher horsepower.

SPEED

Drilling at a slower speed allows for a smoother cut through tough materials like metal. A faster speed is also required for softer materials like wood and plastic. Drill presses almost universally include variable speed settings, allowing them to be employed in a variety of scenarios. Drill presses that are mounted on the floor are preferred because they have greater speed options. It’s critical to select a drill with the appropriate speed range, as incorrect speed settings will frequently ruin your material.

DEPTH STOP

The depth stop can be used to drill several holes of the same size and shape at the same time. When you need to replicate or copy your work, the depth stop ensures that your work is exceedingly accurate. If you require a drill press for jewelry, 80 lower, or other similar crafts, this feature is perfect.

TABLE

Although it may appear small, a good table is crucial for faultless products. You should get a beveling table that tilts far enough to allow you to work on all four corners of your project, preferably 45 degrees left and right. Some tables can even rotate 360 degrees, allowing you to work on all sides of your material, including the nooks and crannies, with ease.

QUILL TRAVEL

Depending on how professional or huge your projects are, your drill press’s quill should have a longer travel. The deeper the holes can be drilled, the further the quill travels.

VARIABLE SPEED

Another consideration is whether or not your drill press has a variable speed setting. You want to drill holes of various diameters and thicknesses without damaging your valuable material by using the variable speed capacity of your drill. A drill’s adaptability is proportional to its number of speeds.

Something else worth gaining knowledge about is the accessories your drill press will come with or the bits and pieces that you may want to invest in when you purchase your drill press. These small accessories may seem unnecessary but trust us, they will make your life much easier.

• Work support bench/table
• Vises
• Fences
• Mortising Chisels

Pro Tip: Look for drill presses that have a guarantee and good customer service. This equipment constantly requires servicing and care due to its frequent use, so knowing that you will receive professional services after your purchase ensures that your tool will last a long time and remain in good shape.

CONCLUSION

We hope you now have the magical wings to acquire your dream drill press! You’re all set to make an important transaction! This is where you’ll find all of the important information you’ll require to make your major purchase. If you’re still undecided, we propose the WEN 4214 Variable Speed Drill Press. It’s fantastic for novices, of course, and, more significantly, it’s created by a reputable company. You can rest assured that this will be an excellent purchase!

We’ve come to the conclusion of our drilling trip, but we hope you found this post useful and that any drill press you choose provides you with the most satisfaction. Wishing you the best of success with your drilling!