Finding the best benchtop drill press for woodworking is essential for effective and carefree working, as the ease with which you can use your tools often dictates how smooth the product comes out. Benchtop drills come in various models and numerous functions, and therefore buying one is not a walk in the park; you need to take many factors into account.
But which one is the best benchtop drill press for woodworking? That is why this review of 5 best benchtop drill presses will help you make an informed decision while buying your drill press. While all products have many features, the DEWALT DWE1622K 2-Speed Magnetic Drill Press, 2-Inch is highly recommended for its amazing quick chuck change system, and immediate release handles the features customers most enjoyed.
What Are The Best Benchtop Drill Press For Woodworking?
Here’s a list of the best benchtop drill press for woodworking we found on the market:
1. Best Benchtop Drill Press: WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press,Orange
2. Best Table Top Drill Press: DEWALT Drill Press, 2-Speed, Magnetic, 2-Inch (DWE1622K)
3. Best Drill Press For Woodworking: SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press
4. Best Value Drill Press: Shop Fox W1668 ¾-HP 13-Inch Bench-Top Drill Press/Spindle Sander
5. Best Drill Press For The Money: WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press
Top 05 Best Benchtop Drill Press for Woodworking Reviews and Buying Guide
[amazon box=”B00HQONFY6,B003LSSS0W,B0000DD1BE” grid=”3″]
1. Best Benchtop Drill Press: WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press,Orange
[amazon box=”B00HQONFY6″ template=”horizontal”]
Salient Features:
- Power: 5 Amp
- Speed: 580-3200 RPM
- Chuck Size: 5/8 inch
- Weight: 89 pounds
The WEN 4214 12-inch Variable Speed Drill Press comes with a tremendous 12-inch swing with variable speed settings that you can adjust according to your needs from 580 to 3200 RPM. Additionally, with the simple lever and speed adjustment, you don’t need to change any sort of pulleys or belts to adjust the speed.
This 5/8-inch chuck provides you ease and versatility for your projects, while an LED display efficiently tells you about the speed you are operating. This drill press boasts a 12 inches spindle with 3 1/8 inches of spindle travel and 36 ½ inches height. This drill press comes with 9-1/2 x 9-1/2 Inches table size with many add-ons like work light, table rollers, Laser, key storage, and many more.
With weighing just at 89 pounds, this drill press is sure to provide you with all of the functions of an industrial level press, but in less amount and lighter weight. It comes with 2 – year warranty which customers hardly ever have to use, given the excellent build quality of this drill press, with the design so efficient that it astonishes all its customers with how good it is.
Pros:
- Variable speeds ranging from 580 – 3200 RPM
- Efficient work light
- The most perfect keyed chuck
- Astonishing Laser precision
- Table roller extension
- Cast iron base
- Digital speed readout
Cons:
- No spindle locks
- Difficult in using the depth gauge
2. Best Table Top Drill Press: DEWALT Drill Press, 2-Speed, Magnetic, 2-Inch (DWE1622K)
[amazon box=”B00N3HSVXK” template=”horizontal”]
Salient Features:
- Power: 10 Amps
- Speed: 300-450 RPM
- Chuck Size: ½ inch
- Weight: 47.6 pounds
The DeWalt DWE1622K- Speed Magnetic Drill Press, 2-inch, is one of the most effective drill presses and comes with two-speed settings ranging from 300- 450 rpm. The quick-change chuck system boats a ½ inch keyed chuck and ¾ inch Weldon shank, while the 10-amp motor comes with the specific overload protection to keep the press from damaging.
The cooling tank comes with the magnetic self-feed properties, allowing the users of the ease with managing cooling fluid and allows for multiple orientations it can be adjusted. This drill press weighs as low as 47.6 pounds, which is its excellent feature; light and equally functional, a dream comes true.
The press comes with a 3-year warranty so that the customers have full support. The fantastic feature of quick release handle instantly amazes the users, while the fact that it doesn’t need an additional set of tools for this is a tremendous price saving. The customers were also happy with the power of the motor and how it can handle any sort of work that they needed to do.
All in all, the DeWalt DWE1622K- Speed Magnetic Drill Press, 2-inch is one of the best drills presses out there, not to mention, it is the Amazon’s Choice for the mag drill and a top seller in the field. With this product, you won’t have to worry about the features, which are more than enough for any task you need to do, as well as the price which is worth it, and not heavy on the pocket.
Pros:
- Value for money
- Powerful motor
- Tight, smooth travel
- Plastic cases to keep everything organized
- Quick-release handle
- Strong grips
Cons:
- A slight wobble in the chuck
3. Best Drill Press For Woodworking: SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press
[amazon box=”B003LSSS0W” template=”horizontal”]
Salient Features:
- Power: 3.2 Amps
- Speed: 570-3,050 RPM
- Chuck Size: ½ inch
- Weight: 50.8 pounds
SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press comes with a 5-speed system ranging from 570 to 3,050 RPM. The 0 to 45-degree tilt in the working surface ensures effectiveness and ease in operation. The ½ inch keyed chuck works seamlessly with large or small cuttings, while the Laser precision that comes with the press ensures that the users can work exactly the way they want.
The drill boasts a table size of 7- 5/8 inches, a size reasonably right for any sort of work, while the weight that is marked at only 50.8 pounds makes sure that the machines are easy to handle for the customers. The depth adjustment in this drill press is both practical and easy to use, while the off switch with the bump off feature adds more safety to the press.
Customers were delighted with the size and effectiveness of the ½ inch keyed chuck that works excellent for any sort of cuttings. Besides, this drill press comes with a 3-year warranty from SKIL, so that the customers need not be worried about customer support with this drill press.
Pros:
- Excellent Laser precision
- 5-speed system
- Excellent keyed chuck
- Excellent finish
- Value for money
Cons:
- Low-quality belt
- Laser hard to use in bright light
4. Best Value Drill Press: Shop Fox W1668 ¾-HP 13-Inch Bench-Top Drill Press/Spindle Sander
[amazon box=”B0000DD1BE” template=”horizontal”]
Salient Features:
- Power: ¾ HP
- Speed: 250 – 3,050 RPM
- Chuck Size: 5/8 inch
- Weight: 63 pounds
The Shop Fox W1668 ¾-HP 13-Inch Bench-Top Drill Press/Spindle Sander comes with ¾ HP motor that is more than enough for any sort of uses and cuttings. This press holds a 13 ¼ inches swing while the spindle travel is essentially 3 ¼ inches. The table for the press comes with a 90-degree tilt, which makes for ease, as well as efficiency.
One of the most amazing features of this drill press is its speed; this drill press comes with 12 speeds ranging from 250 to 3050 RPM, making it very versatile to use for the customers and easy to adjust according to your needs. In continuance of maintaining its unique features, this drill press comes with a 12 3/8-inch diameter amazing round table, with a table swing of 360 degrees and a 2-inch table dust port.
The tilting feature of the table allows the users to work in any position they want and deem effective, given the versatility the table offers. Another excellent feature of this drill press is its sanding property and how easily it can be shifted to sanding operation from its normal oscillation function.
In this way, with its 12-speed system, and fantastic round table, the dust collection port that significantly reduces the mess that is made during the operation, the Shop Fox W1668 ¾-HP 13-Inch Bench-Top Drill Press/Spindle Sander is an excellent buy. The customers were exceedingly happy with how seamlessly easy it worked and were impressed by its superb design.
Pros:
- 12 -3/8-inch amazing round table
- Special 2 ¼ inch dust port for cleanliness
- A 360-degree table swing
- 45-degree table tilt
- 12 speeds ranging from 250 to 3,050 RPM
Cons:
- Difficulty tightening the table
- Flimsy drilling handles
5. Best Drill Press For The Money: WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press
[amazon box=”B00HQONFVE” template=”horizontal”]
Features:
- Power: 1/3 HP
- Speed: 740 – 3140 RPM
- Chuck Size: ½ inch
- Weight: 31 pounds
The WEN 4208 8 in, 5-Speed Drill Press comes with a 5-speed system ranging from 740 to 3,140 rpm and a ½ inch chuck that is both easy to work with and effective in function. As for the motor, this drill press comes with a 1/3 HP motor that gets the job done seamlessly. One of the fantastic features of this drill is the beveling worktable, which comes with the ability to bevel up to an exciting level of 45 degrees, both right and left.
The spindle travel for this drill press is 2 inches, while the swing is 8 inches. The table size is a well-balanced 6 ½ x 6 ½ inches with the height coming up to 23- 1/8 inches. These design features ensure that the drill press works effortlessly, and gives out smooth cuttings and perfect finish for the products.
Another great function is the locking depth adjustment. This excellent feature enables you to set the depth of the spindles according to your needs so that it is both easier and smoother to do your cuttings. This ravishing drill also comes with critical storage onboard that enables you to keep your chuck key stored insight and never have to look around disheveled, finding your key. The customers found this much convenient.
Lastly, the WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press comes with a cast iron base and is astonishingly weighed at 31 pounds, an essential aspect of why this drill impressed the customers, providing all the functions they need, in such a lightweight and value for money. Hence, as most of the customers were, you will also be much satisfied with the amount of money on this drill press.
Pros:
- Locking depth adjustment
- Beveling table up to 45 degrees left and right]
- Key storage
- Powerful motor
- Simple and effective design
Cons:
- A slight wobble in the chuck
- Belt needs loosening
How to Choose the Best Benchtop Drill Press for Woodworking?
In this age of digital marketing and new businesses growing up every day, it is challenging to find a suitable product online, one which you can trust to come out right and have value for its money. The same goes for drill presses, these days, there are so many different brands and new technologies, not to mention the numerous websites that are selling them, that it becomes difficult to find a perfect and functional drill press.
That is why here is a buying guide for you to assist you in finding the perfect drill press that works great for you and suits you not only in its functions but also in its design, features, and pricing. It greatly matters what sort of work you are looking to do with your drill, how much you are going to use it, and how much functions are you previously able to use. To ensure that all these things are well met to your requirements, the following are some of the things that you need to tick off the list before buying your new drill press.
- Power:
The main thing that drives any of these drill presses is the power that it is capable of using and needs for its operation. The power may be mentioned in HP or horsepower or Amps or amperes. Generally, power up to 0.3 HP is enough for normal functioning, but if you are looking for some heavy work drill press, you can find a drill press with more power.
- Variable Speed and Torque:
The basis behind any rotary piece of equipment like these drill presses is the motor that does the work. For that motor to be capable, there are two things to take into account; the speed and the torque. Both of these things are inter-related too, the higher the speed, the lower the torque, and vice versa.
What you have to do while buying any of these drill presses is to make sure that the speed and torque it provides works for the sort of work you do. Generally, there are different speed systems in these drill presses, ranging from 2 to 16, and it is for you to choose what sort of versatility you need for your work. So, select your drill presses carefully regarding this aspect.
- Large Worktables and Tilt:
The main space of a drill press where the primary function is carried out is the worktable. The worktable of a drill is the most essential part to check while buying a drill press. The first thing to notice is the design of the worktable; is it spacious enough, circular or rectangular, and whether it will able to handle the chuck easily.
The second thing to ensure is the additional functions that come in worktables these days. One of them is the tilt; make a point of noting if the worktable of the drill press you are buying has the tilt feature, it can be either up to 45 degrees or the full 90 degrees. The second thing to note is how far it can go from the chuck; this gives you an idea about both its spaciousness and ease of use.
- Laser Light for Fine Targeting:
Sometimes, people have to do excellent cuttings, and for that, they require some sort of targeting so that they make the perfect cut and the ideal product. Therefore, if you are one of these people, and need precise cuttings for your work, make sure that you buy a drill press having a laser light for excellent targeting.
The drill presses that come with a laser light help the users in cutting at exactly the point that they want to, so that there are no chances of mistakes, even very little, as precision is key for them. While mostly drill presses don’t have this function, but when one searches, one can easily find many drill presses that provide the laser light for fine targeting.
- Keyed vs. Keyless Chuck:
While this function may seem unimportant to some of the users, it is essential to check if the drill press you are buying has a keyed or a keyless check. Most of the regular users, who use these drills every day won’t be bothered much, but make sure that you go for a drill press with a keyed chuck that will just be easier and handier for you.
- Safety Features:
Safety is the key when operating any sort of electrical and mainly rotary machines that are delicate to handle, and one wrong move could pose severe damage. That is why, whenever you are buying a drill press, look at its safety features. For a drill press, the safety features may include overload protection, or strategically placed on/off switch that doesn’t hinder function or poses a danger while operating.
Also, not all products and therefore, drill presses are always well-engineered, the chuck may be loose or wobbling, or the spindle might be sloppy, and these things can make a lot of difference. Therefore, make sure that you are aware of the safety features of the drill press that you are planning to buy.
- Versatility:
Another thing to take note of while buying a drill press is the versatility of the product. These days, there are many versatile drill presses available in the market. These range from tilting worktables to laser light for exceptional tracking, factors like the speeds available for the drill press, and the chuck efficiency. All of these factors greatly affect the versatility of the drill press and therefore provide you with more options.
That is why you need to make sure that the drill press that you are going to buy has the most versatile features listed here, with the maximum number of speeds available. At the same time, the worktable is both spacious and tilting, ensuring the chuck efficiency or the laser light and work light for absolute precision in your work. This will significantly affect the value for money that you get from your drill press.
- Warranty:
Ensuring that the product you choose has some period of warranty is very important. It not only provides you with the satisfaction of having some sort of support, but also helps you greatly in case you mess something up, or the functions or parts of the machine don’t work.
Machines are bound to have many different functions and, therefore, equally numerous parts and tools, and therefore, chances are there that some parts of these drill presses may get damaged or broken, etc. That is why buying any sort of drill press, make sure the seller is providing at least a 1-year warranty, which usually goes up to 3 years by some sellers too.
Conclusion:
Finding the best benchtop drill press for woodworking is something that requires a lot of attention to detail and knowledge about them. However, with this review about the 5 Best Benchtop Drill Press for Woodworking and the Buying Guide written in it, you are fully equipped with all the information you may need to buy the best drill press for you. You just have to make sure that you take into account all of these guidelines, features, and pricing so that you make the right decision. Happy buying!
FAQ’S
[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”What is the best drill press for woodworking?” answer-0=”The best drill press for woodworking is the DEWALT DWE1622K 2-Speed Magnetic Drill Press, 2-Inch as it comes with efficient speed settings ranging all the from 300-450 rpm, keeping it simple and effective, and a 10 amp motor that is equipped with enough power to carry out any task you need. Also, it comes with a 3-year warranty, so that you are well taken care of in any sort of problem.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”Who makes the best benchtop drill press?” answer-1=”All of the products mentioned in this review come from reliable companies; however, the DEWALT and WEN drill presses are more famous in the industry. While the DeWalt DWE1622K 2-Speed Magnetic Drill Press, 2-Inch is the Amazon’s Choice for the perfect mag drill and is also the best-seller, the WEN products are both versatile and easy to use, with efficient designs and unique functions. ” image-1=”” headline-2=”h3″ question-2=”Do I need a drill press for woodworking?” answer-2=”It depends entirely on your personal needs and the sort of work that you do. If you are a constant user, who needs drilling every day and requires efficient and smooth drilling for most of his works, you should buy a drill press for woodworking. However, if you are not that much of a professional and need it for some random projects, you might not be needing it that much; nevertheless, buying a drill press will surely help you a great deal in your woodworking.” image-2=”” headline-3=”h3″ question-3=”What is the best drill press for the money?” answer-3=”The WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press is the best drill press for the money as it is priced at $83.62 at Amazon and is Amazon’s choice for drill press too. It provides cognitive functions for this price and can be easily used to carry out normal functions and even some heavy-duty random tasks. While there are more drill presses too, that are more expensive but provide the value for money, this drill press from WEN is amazingly suitable for every user.” image-3=”” headline-4=”h3″ question-4=”How big of a drill press do I need?” answer-4=”The size of the drill press that you need for your work is fully dependent on the sort of work it’s required for. If you need a drill press for industrial use of very professionally use, where you need larger cuttings and larger pieces, consider buying a larger drill press. On the other hand, if you are more of a person who uses drill presses for home or smaller projects, consider buying a smaller drill press.” image-4=”” headline-5=”h3″ question-5=”How do I slow down my drill speed?” answer-5=”To slow down the drill speed, you just have to put the belt in the specified pulley according to the drill speed you want. The instructions are mentioned at the back of the drill; all you have to do is loosen the clamps, and then adjust the speed by adjusting the belt to the specific speed choice you want.” image-5=”” headline-6=”h3″ question-6=”How do you drill an angle with a drill press?” answer-6=”To drill an angle with a drill press, all you need to do is to drill some pilot holes in the wood, only going as far as 0.5 inches. Once you have drilled the pilot holes in place, just use the drill press to drill at an angle in the pilot holes, and you can drill an angle with a drill press easily.” image-6=”” count=”7″ html=”true” css_class=””]
More Related Post: