The Best Drill Press – Reviews and Recommendations

Never underestimate the value of a perfect 90 degree angle drill. Drill presses are useful not only for woodworking but also many applications with metals like steel and aluminum. Not to mention many hobbyist applications as well. A good drill press is a great addition to any garage or workshop.

In this post, we searched high and low for the best drill presses on the market and I think we’ve found them.

So without further delay, here’s our list of the best drill presses on the market:

WEN 4208 8-Inch 5 Speed Drill Press

This table-top drill press from WEN has just about everything you could want in a small, portable drill press. The spindle travels up to 2 inches with locking linear depth stops, so you will be able to keep everything consistent if you are working on several pieces at once.

The motor is 1/3 of a horsepower that will run on a standard 110 outlet, and the motor speed is adjustable from 740 to 3140 RPMs in five increments. The worktable is height adjustable, and it will bevel to 45 degrees in either direction, with a measurement near the post.

There’s even a clip on the side of the machine for your chuck key. The base is constructed for heavy cast iron to keep everything upright while you work, though bolting any table-top press down doesn’t hurt. And for the price, this is a fit addition to any workshop, whether you use it for gunsmithing, woodwork, or any other common drill work.

The price is also great for a drill press of this quality.

Craftsman 10 in Bench Drill Press w/ Laser Trac

Another table-top drill press with five working speeds from 620 to 3100 RPMs, the powerful six amp motor will power you through the toughest drilling jobs you could expect to do with a countertop drill.

The table includes a steel fence to help you align your jigs. This is a heavier press with a 2-1/2 inch depth of cut, and weighs in at over sixty pounds. Don’t expect to move it around a lot.

The Laser Trac system will keep you on course and the attached work light will make it easy to see how your project is coming along. Will accept half-inch shanks on sanders and bits. If you need something a bit larger or smaller, sizes vary for application, so you can narrow down what you really need versus the price you are willing to spend. Top quality drill at a good price.

Dremel 220-01 Rotary Tool Work Station

Do you already own a Dremel? Is the press mainly going to be used for smaller products?

If that’s the case, then this rotary work station will turn your humble Dremel drill into it’s own press, giving you plenty of versatility out of the already useful gadget. Polish, drill, sand, or whatever else with small pieces. It could even replace your scroll saw for general cutting and shaping (with the right bit, of course).

Includes mounting holes to bolt it down, since you will likely want something this light to have a little extra stability. It only weighs 5 pounds, but will add even more use to your Dremel, including boring straight holes, which can be tough to do if you are using it hand-held.

If you need a cheap drill press for smaller projects, this is definitely the right one.

Delta 18-900L 18-Inch Laser Drill Press

On the other side of the coin, if you are looking for a solid drill press for the shop, and you are willing to spend the extra cash for a permanent fixture, this laser guided press from Delta might be just what you’re looking for.

The auto-tensioning system keeps the belt engaged properly for fast transmission speed adjustments, and the TWINLASER system marks a red crosshair on your project piece, so you can align it perfectly.

The press comes with a five year warranty, and allows a full six inches of travel, for boring deep holes. The motor is thee quarters of a horsepower, which while not the most powerful, for the price, you have all the power you should need around the wood shop.

You have the option to select from 16 different drilling speeds ranging from 170 to 3000 RPMs.

This is a high quality machine, designed for machine work, but priced for anyone who wants top notch precision.