Today, you will find out the best drill presses of 2020. You will also be aware of the various factors that determine the shopping process.
Spoiler Alert: Although all the recommended drill presses are equally good, the DeWalt DWE1622K 2-Speed Magnetic Drill Press is more powerful than the rest.
A Spotlight On Some of The Best Drill Presses 2020:
WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press
The WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press has the best features for its asking price, which should explain why this product made it to this best drill presses list. As advertised, it arrives quickly, it assembles quickly, and it works beautifully.
You will truly enjoy the buttery smooth performance of this device. In fact, you will get so accustomed to it that you will use it extensively, whenever the opportunity presents itself. Of course, it doesn’t vibrate like crazy.
The noise level of this drill press is acceptable too. If orange is one of your favorite colors, you will also fall in love with the looks of this device. If you set realistic expectations, there’s no way this drill press will fail you.
Product Features:
Construction-wise, it looks rock-solid. It houses a powerful induction motor that has ball bearings in it for improved product performance and product longevity. As marketed by the company, you will be able to power this device through wood, plastic, steel, and other materials without any fuss.
It features a laser light too, which works almost like a night lamp, allowing you to work in brightness, even in low-light conditions. The variable speed adjustment is the icing on the cake. Yes, this drill can achieve different speeds, ranging from 580 to 3200 RPM.
The best part is that it hardly takes any effort to adjust the speed. You will also like the included swivel table, which is easy to move up or down. Better still, the table stays in its position each time it’s locked.
Advantages:
-Credit to the solid packaging, this drill press will arrive at your place with no damages or missing parts.
-This drill press is shipped in a partially assembled state. Frankly speaking, you will have to do very little to complete the full assembly.
-The WEN 4214 12-Inch Speed Drill Press comes with a speed (RPM) indicator, which is a nice little bonus feature on a product of this nature.
Disadvantages:
-Like other similar products in the market, this speed drill press runs a bit hot if it’s used extensively without
SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press
This drill press is well-built, accurate, and powerful, all at the same time, which is to say that it will please most drill press purchasers out there. Seriously, you will be able to drill through different types of soft and tough woods, including high carbon metal, without any difficulty.
It’s also quite affordable, which is another solid reason to fall in love with this product over other best drill presses out there. Not to mention that the reviews for this drill press are encouraging enough to consider it in a blink of an eye.
Seriously, it has received enough positive reviews to grab a lot of eyeballs for all the right reasons. It’s, obviously, not the most powerful drill press machine out there. But then, it’s powerful enough for a weekend warrior’s needs.
Product Features:
The construction quality of this drill press is unquestionable. The table, base, and the main body are either made from steel or cast iron, which should tell you that this drill press is built to last long. Moreover, it doesn’t take much time or effort to learn how to operate this device.
The factory adjustments are spot on too. Right from the table, laser light, and belts, everything comes in proper alignment. You will also be pleased to know that this device stays relatively quiet during operation.
Given its sturdy built and powerful motor, it doesn’t rock like other similar drill press machines out there. The maintenance part is a walk in the park too. You can easily take this drill press apart to clean and grease everything.
Advantages:
-The integrated laser light is very helpful. It makes it easy to see in the dark. Of course, it also comes handy when you are working in tight spaces.
-The drill press assembly is very easy. The accompanying product manual carries helpful texts and images.
-The SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press comes with a limited three-year product warranty, which is totally worth the paper it’s printed on.
Disadvantages:
-There’s an issue in the way it’s packaged. The company needs to pay more attention to product packaging.
DeWalt DWE1622K 2-Speed Magnetic Drill Press
If you need a powerful drill press, it can’t get any better than the DeWalt DWE1622K 2-Speed Magnetic Drill Press.
This thing will get the job done several times faster than other comparable units, without any degradation in performance, even after many years of use. It also has a clever safety mechanism to it, which prevents the motor from overheating. It’s about as loud as a device of this nature should sound.
So, you don’t have to worry about the noise level of this drill press. Plus, it’s not overly heavy. Without the case, it weighs around 35lbs, which is along the lines of other best drill presses out there.
Size-wise, it’s pretty compact too. Therefore, you will be able to use it easily in tight spaces as well. Furthermore, the device comes with a nice plastic case to keep all the included parts organized.
Product Features:
This drill press features a 10-amp motor. It also comes with two different speed settings, i.e., 300 or 450 RPM. Not to discount the fact that it can get to the top speed pretty quickly.
It’s truly capable of delivering professional results, which should explain why it costs more than other magnetic drill presses out there. It makes straight holes without any issues. It almost feels as if the device has no limits to it.
You are probably going to use it for every other project at hand. Another nice thing about this drill press is that it makes it remarkably easy to change the bit. Morever, this device won’t go down soon. It’s built to last for years to come.
Advantages:
-It’s quieter, it wobbles very little, and it’s a pleasure to use. Of course, it has plenty of power to get the intended job done sooner than expected.
-The assembly, use, and care instructions that come with the product are easy to read and understand.
-As hinted earlier, the DeWalt DWE1622K 2-Speed Magnetic Drill Press is good enough for heavy-duty use.
-This drill press has received high ratings and customer satisfaction reviews than other similarly priced products out there.
Disadvantages:
-For the electromagnetic base to work, the device needs to be plugged in. As you can tell, this isn’t a deal-breaking flaw.
Shop Fox W1667 1/2 HP 8-1/2-Inch Bench-Top Oscillating Drill Press
If you need a decent drill press at a decent price, feel free to pull the trigger on the Shop Fox W1667 1/2 HP 8-1/2-Inch Bench-Top Oscillating Drill Press. What sets this drill press apart from the crowd is its dual-mode operation. Yes, this device can conveniently serve two functions.
You can use it as a drill press or an oscillating sander, which is to say that you are getting two power tools at the cost of one. Other striking product features include a solid ½ horsepower motor and a ½-inch drill chuck.
This device also comes with a removable safety key to prevent accidental starts. Furthermore, the Shop Fox W1667 is fitted with a dust port, which does a wonderful job of keeping the work area clean. As you can tell by now, this drill press is well-made enough to give other leading brands a stiff competition.
Product Features:
The product comes with great documentation, allowing you to get this drill press use-ready quickly and easily, without roasting your brain in the process. Once assembled and put to use, you will realize that it has sufficient power for the materials it’s advertised for. It will also come to your notice that it’s not cheaply manufactured or assembled.
Of course, this product has more usable features than the competition. For user convenience, it comes with a depth-stop that will enable you to drill at a preset depth without any fuss. Another fine thing is that the included table tilts 90-degrees, allowing you to perform sanding operations at different angles. As marketed, it works totally fine for light and medium-duty activities.
Advantages:
-Unlike other best drill presses out there, Shop Fox W1667 Drill Press can be used for both drilling and sanding activities.
-Also, it’s easy to switch from a sander to a drill press and vice-versa. You will also love the compact built of this equipment.
-Product assembly doesn’t take more than fifteen to twenty minutes. The included instructions and diagrams are pretty helpful and easy to follow.
-Given the solid construction quality, this device will hold up well to years of drilling and sanding operations without any issues.
Disadvantages:
-The product packaging is sub-par. So, don’t be surprised if the item is delivered in a semi-busted box.
-The fact that this drill press is built for a home environment, you won’t be able to push it to its limits as you would normally do with a professional drill press.
WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press
For budget drill press shoppers, the WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press should be a no-brainer choice. Truthfully speaking, very few drill presses out there are as compact and affordable as this device.
So, it’s not just the least expensive product, but it’s also a space saver. Therefore, it can prove to be a fine bet for anyone who doesn’t have a lot of money or space for a drill press. Of course, the makers haven’t compromised a lot on the product specs to make this equipment both compact and affordable.
The 120V motor on this thing provides an RPM of anywhere between 740 to 3140. Yes, you can actually operate this device at five different speeds to tackle different jobs. It can even drill through steel. Everything considered, your overall happiness will be high because of the phenomenal value for money this drill press offers.
Product Features:
The WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press has more cast iron on it than plastic. Of course, this makes this device a bit heavier than usual. However, the product ends up lasting long because of the solid-construction quality.
Another fine aspect is that this device doesn’t vibrate a lot like other low-priced drill presses out there. It’s also accurate enough, enabling you to use it for tasks that require attention to detail.
This thing can really accommodate the needs of a novice or intermediate woodworker without any problems. As long as you don’t test this drill press to its limits, you will never have any problems with it.
It will come really handy when the need arises. So, the reason to purchase this well-made drill press shouldn’t be limited to the low asking price. As described earlier, it can get a lot of jobs done around the house without any fuss.
Advantages:
-Given how well this equipment performs, even first-timers wouldn’t struggle to drill straight holes through tough materials.
-Changing the speed of the drill doesn’t involve a lot of learning curve. In other words, it doesn’t take a lot of time to get the good hang of this drill press.
-Considering the low price, it won’t be an understatement to claim that there is nothing seriously wrong about this drill press.
Disadvantages:
-The WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press is not as durable as other best drill presses discussed so far.
Best Drill Presses: Buying Guide
In this section of the article, we have made a humble attempt to show you the ins and outs of the drill press shopping process. After all, most of us don’t really know what goes behind the scenes. So, let’s get started with this drill press buying guide to know what to look in a drill press.
Power
The motor power is an important consideration when shopping for the best drill presses. Usually, a drill press motor will be capable of producing an RPM of 3000, 4000, or more. Needless to say, a 5000 RPM motor will be more powerful than a 4000 RPM motor. Of course, a high-powered motor will cost more as well.
That said, not everyone needs a 5000 RPM motor. For light-duty projects, 3000 RPM motor will also work fine. But, don’t get a 3000 RPM motor if you intend to use the drill press for heavy-duty activities. In other words, avoid underpowered drill presses because they won’t be able to stand the test of time.
Speed
Assuming that you don’t have all the time in the world to make drill holes, you should invest in a drill press that can get the intended job done quickly, and of course, easily too. Generally, the speed of the drill press is adjusted by shifting the drive belt from one pulley to another.
The fast speed comes handy when drilling wood, and the slower speed is used for drilling metal. Obviously, high speed should not be at the cost of accuracy. The product should allow you to drill holes with utmost accuracy and precision.
Durability
A product of this nature goes through a lot of wear and tear. Therefore, it’s of paramount importance to get a durable drill press that will last long.
Frankly speaking, there’s no easy way to get a dependable product. You might have to read a ton of reviews of the shortlisted product to know whether or not the shortlisted drill press is reliable. Of course, make sure that the drill press carries a warranty too so that you can return it upon premature failure. Usually, well-known drill press brands don’t shy away from offering a solid warranty.
Safety
Finally, make sure that the shortlisted drill press is safe for use. After all, there is some element of risk involved when you are using a powerful drilling tool of this nature. The good news is that some of the well-made drill presses come equipped with handy safety features, which will protect not only your limbs but also the material in use.
That said, you shouldn’t worry about the safety issue if you are picking a drill press from the products recommended by us. Seriously, these best drill presses are as safe as they can get. So, you will remain injury free upon careful use.
Conclusion
If you don’t want to risk a bad deal, we suggest that you pick one of the best drill presses recommended by us. If you have already chosen a product, do share it with all the future buyers out there by posting a comment below.
Like this guide? Then you’d definitely love our other guides on the best welding helmets.
Leave a Reply