8 Best Drill Presses (Review) In 2020

The motor is also powerful, but not so powerful that you don’t feel in total control, and the adjustable work table – while not the largest – is sufficient. You can also adjust this table to 45-degrees in both directions for working with uniquely shaped materials. However, you may need to adjust the table before using it, as it may not be on track.

Besides this tiny and easily fixed issue, its design and reliability make it our choice for the best bench-top drill press around. It provides the performance needed for professional applications but is also intuitive enough for hobbyists, especially those looking for their first drill press. Make sure you also check our guide to the best hammer drills.

The 1/2-inch chuck is perfect for large woodworking and cutting jobs, while the tiltable work surface gives you a range of positions to operate in. should you get carried away, the bump-off safety switch keeps your fingers and any other extremities safe from harm. Also take care not to drill too hard, as it shows signs of overheating after around 15 minutes, depending on the demands of the job.

So as long as you don’t overdo it too often, this is a drill press which is both a fantastic option for first-timers, but also one that performs admirably for anyone who wants to make a small but necessary step up to something with a little more bite than cheaper models. Our handy guide to the best jigsaws features more great products like this.

The drill is both powerful and heavy, so you can feel assured it’s built to last, so much so, that we’re happy to look past a few issues with the finishing, but you’re likely to only notice these if you put the whole thing under the microscope, and you’d need a very large one for that to be possible.

Its price means it’s something that may only appeal to anyone who needs an oscillating drill press all day, every day, so hobbyists may find better value for money elsewhere. If you’re a professional on the hunt for a new drill press, though, this is one of the best ones you can find. It’s pricier than others (though not the most expensive) and the additional features make up for this, anyway. Love this product? Check out our review of the best screw guns for our top picks.

The drill handle gives 200 pounds of torque to ensure it can drill effortlessly through any material you place on the tabletop. However, this tabletop may be too small for large projects, which makes it less-than-ideal for professionals, but this may be the reason it can work all day long. If you’ve got large jobs in mind, or are thinking about gifting this to one of your professional woodworking buddies, you may want to look elsewhere.

If you’re just after quality at an affordable price, though, there’s still a lot to love about this drill press. The keyed safety switch eliminates the risk of accidental starting (always important when you’ve got kids in the house), and even though you must assemble it yourself, you’ll at least learn everything you need to know about the unit as you put it together. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best reciprocating saws.

At 167 pounds, it’s also massive and incredibly heavy, so unless you’ve been hitting the gym like a machine recently, it may be a little difficult to move around the workshop or garage if needed. There’s a bright side, though, as the weight further guarantees longevity, ensuring robust design and construction that’s built to handle intensive and demanding projects.

The transmission design doesn’t do much to reduce vibration, though, and this can affect comfort if using it all day long, so be sure to take breaks as you work to reduce the risk of fatigue and potential accidents. It takes just 30 minutes to assemble, and you won’t waste time deciphering instructions. While it may be too much for the casual hobbyist, for anyone who needs a robust, versatile drill press for their workshop – whatever they do – this is the best you’re likely to find. Don’t forget to also check our guide to the best angle grinders.

To guarantee safety, the large paddle switch is easy to identify and reach in case of emergency. Although we hope it never comes to that. The laser guide enhances accuracy and also quality, especially when working on delicate projects that allow no room for error. The variable speed settings also give you control over what you’re working on, ranging from 500 to 3,000 RPM, so you’ll always find the correct speed for the correct material.

Still, we have to come back to the price, and while it performs well, we could argue it doesn’t perform much better than a drill press that is half or even a quarter of the price. Unless you’ve got a loyalty to JET, or just prefer how it looks over other drill presses, you’ll find similar results without spending as much elsewhere. If you are looking to upgrade your tools check out our guide to the best electric hand planers.

The flip upchuck guard keeps the bits safe, especially when on the brink of overworking, and in the even of a power failure, there is an interrupter switch to deliver an easy restart. This gives you efficiency and reduces downtime between work, particularly if it comes at the worst moments.

While it’s not likely to win any awards for The Greatest Drill Press of All Time™, it’s good enough to give you the results you need and help you make that step from novice to intermediate, and perhaps beyond. As for professional applications, it may not be your go-to option, but it’s certain to perform as an excellent backup if needed. If you are a passionate DIYer, check out our guide to the best stud finders.

At the price, it’s ideal for personal projects, and may also have a home in a professional workshop, especially for smaller projects. Another thing to love about it is its small footprint, which ensures your workstation remains as clutter-free as possible. However, it’s not too small your projects are limited to mini-jobs, and you can still complete a range of large jobs.

While we wish there was a properly variable speed capability instead of you needing to set the speed before drilling with no way to change it as you drill, this is to be expected of a compact, 30-pound drill press. Even if you do forget to set to before starting, it’s not too difficult to make the change, and you won’t lose much time in between. You may also be interested in our guide to the best best crowbars so check it out.