If you’ve been a woodworker long enough, chances are that you already own a drill. If so, then why do you need a drill press for woodworking projects?
First things first, a drill press is far more efficient and effective than a handheld drill. Ideal for all types of repetitive operations, a drill press has been identified to enable you to carry out various woodworking projects easily, with greater precision.
While these drill presses are way more efficient than your regular handheld drill, one of the problems most people have is picking the best one for them. Are you having this trouble? If you answered yes, then you have come to the right page!
In this piece, we’ll review some of the best drill press for woodworking projects as well as some of the factors to take into consideration when choosing one.
Best Drill Press for Woodworking
The best drill press options for all your woodwork projects are:
1. The RIKON 30-120 (13-inch Drill Press)
Albeit having a powerful motor, this drilling machine has been designed to be portable, thus, making your woodworking projects come out smoother than you might have envisaged.
This product is ideal for those advanced and serious woodworking experts that need an advanced and powerful machine to drill identical holes with. Its sturdy body design also helps you perform heavy-duty tasks easily.
Some of the core features of this heavy-duty machine are: clutch depth stop, adjustable height, and cast iron construction. The clutch depth stop feature allows you to deep-set this powerful machine. This feature also helps you carry out drilling operations as easily as possible.
The adjustable height feature, on the other hand, is an adjustable table that lets you adjust the height as you see fit. This adjustable table, unlike anything you’ve seen, offers you the unique privilege of drilling at any angle you deem convenient.
Its cast-iron construction makes it sturdy, thereby increasing the performance level of this machine.
Specifications
- Brand: RIKON
- Style: bench drill press
- Height: 39 inches
- Length: 13 inches
- Width: 24 inches
- Weight: 102 pounds
- Voltage: 120 Volts
Pros
- It is a powerful drill press with plenty of horsepower
- It is ideal for identical drilling
- Offers you a variety of spindle speed
- Offers quiet drilling operations
Cons
- The cast-iron handle position is quite uncomfortable
2. CS Unitec MABasic Portable Drill Press
It is currently one of the best drill presses for woodworking projects right now. Built specifically to allow users to carry out repetitive operations, this ideal drill press from the CS Unitec brand is super effective when it comes to drilling structural steel as well as other metal materials.
One of the core features of this product that I find impressive is its portability and lightweight nature. Generally, most drill presses are built to be heavy because of the type of operations they perform. This product happens to be different.
Its portability makes it super convenient to travel with. Regardless of where you find yourself, you can conveniently make use of this product.
Another feature that happens to be also impressive is its “two-speed versatility.” Unlike most of the drill press available for purchase in the market, this product enables you to select one of the two-speed options available.
Specifications
- Brand: Unitec
- Model: MABasic 450
- Height: 17 inches
- Length: 9.5 inches
- Width: 6.5 inches
- Speeds: 250/450 revolutions per minute (RPM)
- Voltage: 110 Volts
- Spindle: MT2
Pros
- It is a super portable drill press that lets you carry out various drilling operations
- It is ideal for all structural metal drilling operations
- Comes with a lubricant
Cons
- Compared to the others, it is not a durable machine
3. The Steel Dragon MD13 Magnetic Drill Press
Unlike your regular handheld drills, this drill from Steel Dragon offers a higher precision when it comes to drilling holes. If you’re keen on making amazing holes, this could be the best drill press for you at the moment.
In addition to this, the magnetic force also helps you drill upside down.
With a motor power of over 650 watts, the Steel Dragon Magnetic Drill has been designed to help you perform some of the toughest jobs you’ve ever had.
Not only is this a powerful and functional drill press, but it is also quite affordable. It is ideal for those seeking to get the best drill at the cheapest cost possible.
Specifications
- Brand: Steel Dragon
- Model: MD13
- Voltage: 110 volts
- Motor power: 650 watts
- Magnetic force: 1910 pounds
- Speed: 550 RPM
Pros
- It is an affordable power drill
- It is a powerful press drill with a motor power of 650 watts
- The presence of the magnetic force makes it a sturdy drill press
- It is quite suitable for tough drilling operations
Cons
- It is heavy and cannot be carried around from one place to another
4. Shop Fox W1680 (17-inch Flood Drill Press)
With 1 horsepower, this 17-inch drill press affords users the opportunity to perform a variety of drilling operations on plastics, wood, and even on metal.
To efficiently help you perform operations on spindle shaft bearings and mount directs, this drill press has been built with a Morse Taper. This feature allows the drill press to make better and more precise cuts.
One interesting feature that caught our attention is the cast iron table that can be tweaked from 90 to zero degrees. Like the RIKON 30-120, this iron cast design helps to make this product sturdy. Unlike any drill press reviewed here, the Shop Fox W1680 drill press has 12 different speed settings. Interesting right? Here’s the best part.
The RPM of these speeds ranges from as low as 150 RPM to over 3050 RPM, thus making this product one of the best drill presses for woodworking projects anyone can get their hands on right now.
Although having the same iron cast construction as the RIKON 30-120 reviewed above, this product comes with adjustable and comfortable handles. This sets it apart from all of the other products.
Specifications
- Brand: Shop Fox
- Model W1680
- Height: 17-inch
- Voltage: 110 volt
- Motor power: 1 horsepower
- Speed range: 150-3050 RPM
- Table type: Iron cast table
- Spindle taper: Morse taper
Pros
- It is a powerful drill press with 12 different speed settings
- It is super durable
- It is convenient for use and capable of performing various drilling activities
Cons
- It is quite expensive
5. The Jet 716000 12-inch Drill Press
Unlike most products, this drill press offers you a powerful and portable drill press that can be used anywhere you see fit. Since it’s a portable drill press, you would expect it not to be too sturdy right? You will be surprised to find out that this product is not only portable but capable of withstanding anything thrown at it.
Like most of the other drill presses reviewed here, there is an adjustable speed setting. In addition to this, an LED light is attached to this product, giving you an additional convenience level and accuracy than anything you’ve seen before.
While there are tons of features, one that really stands out for me is its iron cast base that affords you the opportunity to place this machine on any workbench. The cast iron base also adds to the sturdy nature of this drill press.
Specifications
- Brand: Jet
- Model: 716000
- Speed range: 530-3100 RPM
- Voltage: 115 volt
- Motor power: ½ horsepower
- Weight: 68 pounds
- Spindle taper: Morse taper
Pros
- Its cast-iron base gives it this rugged design, making it incredibly durable
- It offers you greater accuracy
- Work LED lights have been attached for higher convenience
- It is a versatile tool that can be used for various woodworking projects
Cons
- Most users have complained of the lack of certain core features present in other products
- Difficult to adjust
6. Jet J-2550 20-inch Drill Press
Not only is this product a powerful drill press, but the manufacturers also paid close attention to durability. Unlike the other Jet products, the J-2550 has been built to last you a lifetime. It has been built to be both durable and flexible.
The most fascinating part is that this drill press has been built with a permanently lubricated ball, increasing its overall lifespan. The twin table is another feature that cannot be overlooked.
It offers you stability and comfort as you carry out drilling operations for your various woodwork projects. In all, this is a powerful drill press that has been designed to offer you more.
Specifications
- Brand: Jet
- Model: J-2550
- Style: Belt drive
- Voltage: 115 volt
- Weight: 421 pounds
- Spindle taper: Morse taper 3
- Motor power: 1 horsepower
- Spindle speeds: 12
- Speed range: 150-4200 RPM
Pros
- It is a super durable drill press
- Offers you 12 different spindle speeds to choose from
- With an RPM range of 150 – 4200, this is a powerful machine
Cons
- It is quite expensive
Buying Guide
While we’ve reviewed some of the best drill press for woodworking projects, it is best that we take a look at some of the things you should take into consideration when shopping for any of these products.
Budget Friendly
Your budget basically refers to the amount of money you’ve kept aside for the purchase of this item. Regardless of your budget, there are a couple of drill presses you can get on a low budget. The Steel Dragon MD13 Drill Press is one of those products.
The CS Unitec MABasic Portable Drill Press is another budget friendly drill press you can get your hands on.
Power
This is another important factor that should be taken into consideration when shopping for a press drill. Generally, a higher Horsepower definitely means increased performance.
The Jet J-2550 is one of the most powerful drill presses at the moment. With 1 horsepower, the Shop Fox W1680 is another powerful power drill that has been designed to perform some of the toughest tasks.
RPMs
Otherwise referred to as revolution per minute, the higher RPM a press drill has, the faster it can make drills. There are a couple of press drills that stand out in this regard.
The Jet J-2550 is one of those drills. With an RPM range of 150 – 4200, you’re guaranteed faster drilling operations when you opt for this drill.
Jet 716000 is another honorable mention. With an RPM range of 150 – 3100, this is another fast drill press.
Conclusion
We hope this guide helps you find the best drill press for your needs. Happy hunting!