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Our DIY expert calls this the ultimate professional drill press for the regular production of high-quality products.
Our DIY expert calls this the ultimate professional drill press for the regular production of high-quality products.
The "X" laser is precise and allows for easy-to-spot placement. It has a compact design which makes it easier to place on smaller work benches. The solid build quality allows it to be quite durable under heavy use.
Can be harder to use when drilling harder materials. Heavy; needs a solid mounting surface.
If you practice jewelry making or polish metal, you may already have a Dremel tool that fits this model.
If you practice jewelry making or polish metal, you may already have a Dremel tool that fits this model.
Easily secures a wide range of hand-held Dremel rotary tools and turns them into a drill press. Also a flex shaft. Convenient storage compartment for small parts. Sports metric and inch markings.
Best for lighter projects.
A worthwhile option for anyone wanting to learn the craft without investing a lot of money, according to our DIY expert.
A worthwhile option for anyone wanting to learn the craft without investing a lot of money, according to our DIY expert.
The small 1/3 horsepower motor provides plenty of torque to go through most soft substances like wood. Bits are easy to change out using the included key. Includes a half-inch keyed chuck and onboard key storage.
Prone to binding up in dense or thick materials like certain metals.
The 1/2 horsepower, 110V motor on this model keeps up well with most basic projects.
The 1/2 horsepower, 110V motor on this model keeps up well with most basic projects.
Buyers praise this well-made benchtop with a flattened table for your precise details. An oscillating sanding attachment is handy to have around your work table. It's an affordable benchtop drill for your first workshop, for most basic jobs and functions.
The exterior paint chips far too easily. Some may need more robust and powerful options.
The type of budget benchtop drill press to choose when you want a basic power tool.
The type of budget benchtop drill press to choose when you want a basic power tool.
Comes with 5 predefined speeds for drilling through different types of materials. The support table tilts up to 45 degrees for precise angled drilling. Accepts large drill bits in the half-inch chuck.
Motor lacks the necessary power to handle denser materials like steel without binding up.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
As a homeowner, it’s a given that sooner or later you’ll have to drill some holes somewhere. Many times, the task at hand is simple: you might need to drill a hole to hang a picture, for instance. Eventually, unless you’re paying someone to do all of your home maintenance projects for you, you’re going to need to drill more than just the odd hole or two.
For example, during the standard DIY kitchen upgrade, you may need to drill straight holes in cabinet doors to a specific depth. You may need to deburr those holes. Theoretically, you could do these tasks with a handheld drill, but it’s nearly impossible to achieve the kind of precision you’d need. A drill press can help you get the job done in a fraction of the time and with minimal effort.
Homeowners and hobbyists generally don’t need a floor model drill press. Those machines, laudable though they are, are both big and expensive. A benchtop drill press can give you the results you want without eating a hole in your budget.
The first thing you should consider when looking for a drill press is how much work you’re going to be doing with it. If you’re the type of person who is out in the shop or garage working on a dozen projects at once, you should get a top-of-the-line model. It’ll cost more, but the long-term durability will be worth it. If you just need a benchtop drill press for the occasional light-duty project, however, you might not need to invest in a top-shelf tool.
The type of work you’ll be doing — and the material with which you’ll be doing it — are major factors to keep in mind when choosing a benchtop drill. For example, if all you need to do is punch precision holes in some cabinet doors for the hinges, you probably don’t need to worry about beveling on an adjustable table. In that same vein, if you’re working with metal more than wood, you will need a benchtop drill press with greater horsepower (hp) in the motor. But if you’re only working with wood, hp isn’t as big of a concern.
There are plenty of drill speed charts available online, but as a general rule, you want higher RPMs with thinner drill bits and slower RPMs with wider drill bits. The type of material you’re drilling will factor into your choice as well. Let’s look at some examples when you’re using a 7/16-inch vs. a 1-inch drill bit on various types of material.
Think ahead to the type of material you’ll be drilling and the bit sizes you’ll be using. That will give you an indication of the range of drill speeds you’ll need when you choose a drill press.
The hp of the motor on your drill press determines the drill bit sizes you can use. The larger the bit, the more hp you need to cut through the material. For most home and hobby uses, 1/3 to 3/4 hp is sufficient. You can use a 1 hp drill if you like, but this would probably be overkill. It will also make your drill top-heavy and prone to tipping over unless it is securely bolted to your workbench.
If you need to drill a series of holes to a specified depth — for instance, for inserting dowel rods — you will need a drill press with good depth stops. This is an area where a handheld drill simply can’t compete. Be sure to check if the depth stops are infinitely adjustable or limited to set distances between each depth.
If you need to tilt your table to drill holes at an angle, be sure to get a drill press that has an adjustable table. The normal amount of tilt to the left and right is 45 degrees. If all you’re doing is punching straight holes, you can save money by choosing a drill press without an adjustable table.
Step drill bits: CO-Z Multiple Hole 50 Sizes Step Drill Bit Set
When you need multiple sizes of holes drilled in thin material, such as steel or aluminum, this five-piece set of step drill bits from CO-Z is just the thing.
Sanding drums: Hiltex 10342 Sanding Drum Kit
This 26-piece set from Hiltex has assorted sleeves and rubber drums. With these, you can quickly turn your drill press into a freestanding sander for putting the finishing touches on your woodworking. Smooth the rough edges for a professional look.
Forstner bits: Irwin Tools Wood Drilling Forstner Bit Set
When you need to drill precision flat-bottomed and pocket holes for your next project, this eight-piece set from Irwin Tools has ultra-sharp teeth for cutting both soft and hard wood.
Hole saw bits: ryker hardware 10-Piece Hole Saw Kit
This hole saw kit from ryker hardware has 10 bits from 1 inch to 2 1/2 inches in diameter. They’re perfect for drilling holes in wood, PVC, plastic, drywall, and plywood.
Under $70 is the low price range for benchtop drill presses. This is where semi-drill presses are often found, including models that convert hand-held rotary tools into benchtop drill presses for light-duty work.
For a little more, from $70 to $150, you will find yourself looking at the majority of benchtop drill presses for sale. These products tend to have cast iron bases and stainless steel columns and handles. Some may not have adjustable tables for beveling.
If you want a top-end benchtop drill press, expect to pay $150 to $300, though truly professional models can cost upwards of $600. These drill presses have powerful motors, a wide range of drill speeds, depth stops, and adjustable cast iron tables.
A. On small pieces where your hand would be close to the drill, yes. On larger pieces where your hands would be farther away, this is not necessary.
A. No. Once the material is on the table and the correct bit is in place, turn the power on and start the drill. Once the speed is stable, use the lever to lower the drill until it begins drilling through the material.
A. Stop depth refers to the depth of the hole you want to drill. The drill has to be stopped when it reaches that depth in the material. Once the stop depth has been set, each drill hole will be the same depth.
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