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The vertical drill bit provides drilling performance and accuracy that cannot be achieved by hand drilling.

Available with a wide range of bits, these heavy-duty tools, most often used in workshops, are a useful tool for home use, especially if you need an accurate and light cutting tool.

If the project you’re working on requires precision, you’ll be very happy to have a powerful tool like this in your home workshop.

The Best Professional Benchtop Drill Press

WEN 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press

 4,9 Rating

Features:

  • Variable Speed.
  • 5 Amp Induction Motor.
  • 5/8-inch Keyed Chuck.
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The WEN 12-inch Variable Speed Drill Press powers through metal, wood, plastic, and other materials. Drill a 5/8-inch hole through heavy-duty cast iron. The mechanical variable speed allows you to target the exact RPM (from 580 to 3200) for your project with the simple turn of a lever while the digital LED readout displays the current speed.

Powerful Drilling Press WEN 4214

Buyer’s guide for benchtop drill press

This review and guide provide information on some best benchtop drill press for the home workshop you can find.

There are quite a few manufacturers of a benchtop drill press in the home improvement market today, and prices vary greatly depending on the model and design. From a pure price standpoint, there is a benchtop drill press in models that can be had for just under $160 each. At the other end of the scale, however, there is a drill press that can cost interested hobbyists nearly $759.

The best benchtop drill press

The Benchtop Drill Press for Home Workshop

All our reviews are based exclusively on expert judgments or practical experience with most of the benchtop drill press we have tested. We strive to make our guide as independent and as detailed as possible.

Reviews of benchtop drills for the home workshop

DEWALT 2-Speed Magnetic Drill Press

  • 10 amp motor.
  • No Load Speed: 300/450 rpm.
  • 4-3/8 inch drill.

 4,8 Rating

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Convenient Placement Of The Benchtop Drill Press

This press has overload protection electronics that prevent motor damage and excess accessory wear designed for long life. A Quick Change chuck system allows for tool-free change between 3/4″ Weldon Shank and 1/2″ keyed chuck, and the Quick Release feed handles provide a tool-free change of handles to either side of the tool. The magnetic self-feed cooling tank allows the user to regulate the flow of cooling fluid and can be placed on either side of the tool or on a work surface to allow for a variety of tool orientations.

SKIL 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press

  • Amperage: 3.2.
  • Rating: 120V.
  • No Load RPM: 5 Speed; 750-3,050.

 4,9 Rating

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Depth Regulation System Drilling

The X2 2-Beam Laser helps ensure precise hole alignment, while the depth adjustment system lets you drill down consistently every time. Five speeds cut holes cleanly through the wood, metal, and other materials with the 3320 Drill Press, which accepts larger diameter bits for woodworking and cutting. The working surface tilts from zero to 45 degrees, another plus.

Jet 15-Inch 3/4-Horsepower 115-Volt Bench Model Drill Press

  • Constructed to provide a solid base for drilling.
  • 3-1/8″ stroke for deep hole applications.
  • 5/8″ drill chuck and arbor.

 4,8 Rating

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High measurement accuracy

Accuracy, stability, and versatility are the benchmark features of the JET 15″ and 20″ Drill Presses. This high-quality line of JET Drill Presses offers a greater range in spindle speeds than other machines of this class. JET backs its machines with the industry-leading Two-Year Warranty.

What is a benchtop drill press?

The bench drill press has many names. So if you search for a pillar drill machine, table drill machine, and pillar drill machine, you will come across similar products and equipment because they are identical in construction. Only their size is slightly different.

These are stationary drilling machines that consist of a base, a column, and a drilling spindle and have a lever for lowering. The basic structure of a bench drill, a drill stand, a pedestal drill, and a pillar drill is the same. There are only a few subtleties that differ, but they don’t matter in DIY.

A bench drill is usually a single-spindle vertical drill that is permanently mounted on workbenches. In most cases, bench drills are suitable for small to medium-sized workpieces. Pillar drills and column drills are operated in this range. They can also be used for machining heavy workpieces. Unlike bench drills, the pillar and column drills have a very large drill stand that stands on the floor with its own substructure. The work table can then be individually adjusted via the spindle.

 

What should you look for when buying a benchtop drill press?

Drilling holes or woodworking requires extreme care and precision. Sometimes carving wood requires a fine drill and sometimes brute force is used. In any case, a double-acting drill table machine is needed for this work.

When buying should pay attention to the following:

  • Power and idle speed.
    For power tools, the power rating and idle speed are always important. The power rating indicates how much current the motor can draw. The speed of most bench drills is infinitely variable. If the speed of the drill is infinitely variable, it can be individually adjusted to the material. The drilling power is then matched to your project. In this range, 350 to 700 watts are normal. For model work, bench drills with 200 to 230 watts are sufficient. If you run your own business, it is better to choose models with a power of 350 to 400 watts. Such models are affordable and sufficient for simple tasks. A 750-watt bench drill is something for real professionals.
  • Drill stroke and power output.
    The drill stroke indicates how far the precision bench drill can be lowered from the pillar drill comparison. Whether column drill or bench drill, the drill stroke varied from 5.9 to 6.3 inches. For this reason, only the hole thicknesses differed from 2.0 to 2.4 inches. Therefore, this criterion is insignificant when comparing pillar drills.
  • The span of the drill chuck.
    When comparing bench drills, more attention should be paid to the chuck width. It varies from 0.39 inch to 0.63 inches, for drill stands and bench drills. The larger the chuck to be drilled, the larger the drill bits that can be used. Consequently, the larger the holes that can be drilled. A bench drill with a 0.63-inch chuck should be adequate for all tasks.
  • Drilling Table.
    The table is certainly the heart of any bench drill comparison machine. Most models have a 7.9 x 7.9-inch work table. Only some drills have a slightly larger base. Machining small and medium-sized workpieces is made possible by comparing all models with column drills.
  • Accessories for bench drills.
    Accessories for bench drills can be quite extensive. While all machines in the pillar drill comparison have a drill chuck, only a few models have a quick-release drill chuck that can be released without a drill chuck key. However, if you need to change the drill chuck, the keyless drill chuck is more expensive. However, with good care and use, this should not happen. Some models have the laser built-in, so you know where you are drilling. However, the practice has shown that the laser does not always work correctly.

Benchtop Drill Press Price:

 

Under 200$

  • SKIL 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press

Under 400$

  • WEN 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press

Under 700$

  • Jet 15-Inch 3/4-Horsepower 115-Volt Bench Model Drill Press

Under 800$

  • DEWALT 2-Speed Magnetic Drill Press

How does a benchtop drill press work?

 

Bench drills consist of a drill chuck, an electric motor, a gearbox, and various switches. The 230V mains voltage drives the motor. The reducer is used to limit the power of the motor so that the drill bit, which is in the drill chuck and is driven by the motor, does not rotate too quickly. The shape of the drill bit allows it to slowly penetrate the material and expel excess dust and debris from the outside. The design of a bench drill is different, but in terms of functionality, it is virtually the same as an ordinary workshop drill with his own hands.

 

FAQ-  Benchtop Drills Press for Home Projects

 

How many watts do I need for my bench drill?

When you buy a used bench drill or buy a cheap bench drill, you should pay attention to the workmanship and function of the mini drill. Power also plays a big role in all machines. For simple work, a table drill with low power can be sufficient. For ambitious performers, we recommend a higher-quality bench drill with 350 to 500 watts of power. Some pillar drills have a power of 700 watts and are somewhat oversized for drilling edges in carpets and wood panels. Therefore, you should pay attention to the models and performance features when comparing bench drills.

What safety rules must be observed when handling the bench drill?

Whether it’s a used floor standing drill or a mini table-top drill, at some point you wonder what you need to be aware of when handling it. Here are a few rules for use:

  • No long clothes, chains, or scarves may be worn.
  • Gloves must not be worn when working on rotating machinery.
  • First, the machine must be inspected for defects.
  • The drill must be properly clamped.
  • Safety glasses should be worn.
  • A safety distance of 4ft radius from the drill chuck should be maintained.
  • The speed should be appropriate for the diameter of the drill bit. Most machines have a speed list on the unit.

What can you do with a drill press?

Use the drill to precisely drill holes in wood, metal, and other materials. Provides adjustable drilling speed, which allows the craftsman to adjust the number of drill revolutions per minute according to the requirements of the material. For example, table drills should be set to a low speed when drilling metal to avoid overheating and deformation of the drill.

What is a good height for a drill press?

The practical height for a bench drill is 39 inches, for a floor drill is about 33-25 inches high. Drilling machines are equipped with a side swivel and adjustable table.
If you are a person with an average height, a drill press with a height of 35 inches is suitable for you. The height of the table depends on the drill to be installed or drilled. It is best if the table height can change as the drilling materials change.

Conclusion about the benchtop drill press

Drilling machines are available as large floor models that you can place on your workbench to save space. Bench drills are powerful and fit perfectly on your workbench.
A good drill press ensures accurate drilling. It is much more accurate than a portable tool because of the accuracy of the crown wheel and the fixed position. The increased accuracy of this type of tool allows you to get consistent holes every time you use it.

Max Welder

Max Welder

Hi! I'm Max Welder (toolsproper.com). I always wanted to work with my own hands, repair something, do things. Now I combine my knowledge with computers and my own knowledge in the field of mechanics in order to understand which tools I like the most. I hope to convey some knowledge and experience.

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