Top Drill Presses Perfect for Novice and Seasoned Woodworkers Alike
Woodworking is an art and a talent. You can’t be good at woodworking if you don’t have the skill and the best tools. And among the best tools to have in your arsenal is a good drill press. A drill press drills perfect holes, and with the right attachments, a drill press can also work as a sander or a finisher. This machine holds the workpiece or treats the material safely and as efficiently as possible. And if you’re looking for the best drill presses for woodworking, we’re glad to help you out with our top ten list as below.
Our Top Picks
List of the Best Drill Presses
Table of Contents
- List of the Best Drill Presses
- #1. WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press
- #2. Shop Fox W1668 13-Inch Bench-Top Drill Press
- #3. JET 354170/JDP-20MF 20-Inch Floor Drill Press
- #4. Grizzly G7943 12 Speed Heavy-Duty Bench-Top Drill Press
- #5. ShopSeries RK7033 6.2-Amp 10” Drill Press
- #6. WEN 4208 8 inch 5-Speed Drill Press
- #7. SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press
- #8. Delta 18-900L 18-Inch Laser Drill Press
- #9. Shop Fox W1680 1-HP 17-Inch Floor Model Drill Press
- #10. Rikon 30-100 8-Inch Drill Press
#1. WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press
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The WEN 4214 is a variable speed drill press with speeds ranging from 580 to 3200 RPM. You can fine-tune your drilling and sanding work for a particular type of material because of a variable speed drill. Mechanical variable speeds also provide equal torque; you can check the speed using a convenient LED display.
The spindle moves deeper as the locking linear depth stop will provide accurate and constant drilling performance. The 2/3 HP induction motor improves torque and power to allow you to work on different materials. The drill press height is fully adjustable using a rack and pinion height adjustment. Meanwhile, the table can bevel up from 0 to 45 degrees from the left and the right.
And your purchase comes with a table roller extension, a 5/8 inch keyed chuck and key plus tools for the machine assembly. It has a stable design and made of reliable materials.
Conclusion: The WEN 4214 is a variable speed drill press that has a strong motor that can offer power from 580 to 3200 RPM. It has updated components and easy to adjust, tool-less parts for the best drilling and sanding results. The laser tracking feature reduces mistakes, helps you prevent material wastage. It has impressive features and may have a few flaws but guaranteed this is a good drill press for woodworking that’s worthy of your attention. You can also check out our list of the best benchtop drill presses.
- Variable speeds
- With LED speed readout
- With laser marker
- Easy to adjust height and table
- Tool-less adjustment
- No working light
- Complaints that it is hard to install
#2. Shop Fox W1668 13-Inch Bench-Top Drill Press
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The Shop Fox W1668 is a bench-top drill press and spindle sander that comes with a ¾ HP motor. It has variable speeds, so you will be able to better enhance different projects and tasks in woodworking. It also comes with a drill chuck at 5/8 inch, which allows for more variety when drilling and sanding.
The drill press height is adjustable while the tilting table can be leveled from 0 to 45 degrees, which is important if you need to create complicated holes and cuts. The motor is serviceable from the top casing, while the stand is also made from very heavy and tough material. This drill press is easy to use and can be adjusted to whatever type of material or kind of project you want to be done.
Conclusion: The Shop Fox W1668 is a bench-top drill press that will allow you to work on all kinds of materials, especially wood. You can drill holes and sand or finish with the utmost accuracy and efficiency. It has updated components, effective design and is made from tough materials. And despite some flaws, the W1668 may be a good drill press to use for woodworking or projects. We also have a list of the best MIG welders that you might like to check.
- High-powered motor
- Adjustable tilting table and height
- Made from durable materials
- With dust port
- Bench-top design
- Complaints that the table is too small
- Complaints that it’s hard to assemble
#3. JET 354170/JDP-20MF 20-Inch Floor Drill Press
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The JET 354170 is a floor drill press that stands 20 inches from the floor. It has a strong 1.5 HP motor that provides smooth and quiet operation. Instead of a small, round tilting table, you can use a larger, smoother table for easy sanding or drilling.
You can choose from the 12 spindle speeds that range from 150 to 4200 RPM, the slowest being the most delicate while the fastest for tougher and thicker materials. You’ll also get a convenient work light, a drill chuck, and a key with your purchase.
Finally, this drill press is one of the heaviest of its kind at 288 pounds. This also gives you more value for your money with its 2-year warranty.
Conclusion: The JET 354170 is a floor drill press with a powerful motor, 12-spindle speeds, fully adjustable work tables, and drill press height for the best results. It comes with other convenient features like a built-in work light, a drill chuck and key plus an easy on/off switch in front of the machine. This floor drill press is heavy but stable and would make a good addition to your woodworking shop. Also, you can check out our guide for the best TIG Welders for work at home.
- Tall drill press
- Powerful 1.5 HP motor
- 12 spindle speeds
- Built-in work light
- Heavy and durable
- Complaints that it’s too hard to assemble
- Complaints that the table is too small
#4. Grizzly G7943 12 Speed Heavy-Duty Bench-Top Drill Press
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The Grizzly G7943 is a 12-speed heavy-duty drill press that’s designed to sit on a workbench. It’s built with a tough motor that offers 12 speeds so you can work on different materials without any worries and with the best results.
It is made from durable materials with cast iron top and base. The height of the drill is completely adjustable, while the tilting table can be positioned from 0 to 90 degrees. It has a work light for added safety when not in use, plus all adjustments may be made without the use of any tool.
Conclusion: The Grizzly G7943 is a heavy-duty bench-top drill press that is unbelievably tough with industrial-grade components. It has a durable body, easy to use controls, and a powerful ¾ HP motor for efficient use on different materials and various projects. It is versatile, fully-adjustable, and will help you drill, sand and finish projects in no time. We have also written a complete guide about the best Plasma Cutters for businesses and DIY users.
- Easy to use and adjust
- Tool-less adjustments
- With built-in light
- Powerful 12-speed motor
- Adjustable tilting table
- No laser guide
- Complaints that it is hard to assemble
#5. ShopSeries RK7033 6.2-Amp 10” Drill Press
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The ShopSeries RK7033 is a 10” drill press that’s made for efficient, repetitive, and precise cutting power. It can be used on wood as well as other materials including plastic, metal and more. It is designed for durable performance with its cast-iron work table, base, and top.
The tilting table may be adjusted according to the angle of the hole, so you’ll have accurate results all the time.
This machine has five operating speeds from 620 to 3100 RPM, enough to fine-tune your drilling and sanding skills.
The drill chuck lets you use woodworking and metal drill bits. The table is small but may be tilted 0 to 45 degrees for enhanced drilling and sanding work. And most of all, you’ll get more value for your money with this tool’s generous 2-year limited warranty.
Conclusion: The ShopSeries RK7033 Drill Press is a powerful machine that is made for efficient, repetitive, and precision cuts using all kinds of materials, not just wood. It has a durable cast iron base, table and top, and adjustable components to accommodate your work or project. This ShopSeries drill press may have some flaws but remains as a good bench-top drill press to check out this year. We also have a list of the best drill presses under 200 that you might like to check.
- Durable body, base, and table
- Adjustable components
- Powerful motor
- Enhanced operating speeds
- With 2-year limited warranty
- No laser guide
- No work lamp
- Complaints that the table is too small
#6. WEN 4208 8 inch 5-Speed Drill Press
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The WEN 4208 is a 5-speed drill press that won’t just sit prettily on your workbench. The variable-speed motor allows you to work on different materials. The spindle moves up to 2 inches with an easy to read linear depth stops for precise and repeatable performance.
You’ll get good torque and improved power with an induction motor. And of course, the worktable height may be adjusted, and this can bevel from 0 to 45 degrees to the right and left.
Conclusion: The WEN 4208 is a 5-speed drill press that will sit on top of a workbench. It is height adjustable, worktable adjustable, and with variable speeds for correct pressure on any project. It comes with a durable body, stand, base, and table. And despite some flaws, we think that this drill press can be a good level-entry drill press for woodworking.
- Durable induction motor
- Height adjustable
- Made of durable materials
- Very strong base
- Switch located in front
- 5 different speeds only
- No working light
- No laser
- Needs assembly
#7. SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press
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The SKILL 3320-01 will work nicely in a woodworking shop or garage to help you create holes and sand woodworking projects. It is a 5-speed drill press from 570 to 3050 RPM. It is capable of accurate measurements plus repetitive drilling on wood and different types of material.
The worktable has ample space to work but not as large as other drill presses. The table is completely adjustable when it comes to height and angle to let you make holes and to sand difficult angles as well.
This drill press comes with a laser beam to help you avoid mistakes and for added safety, a bump switch at the front.
Conclusion: The SKIL 3320-01 is a 10-inch drill press that has adjustable parts, efficient components, and durable body, base, and table. It is a 5-speed drill press that offers precise results thanks to its variable speeds, laser X2 beam, and a ½ -inch keyed chuck. It has safety features as well, making it a worthwhile addition to any woodworking shed.
- With bump switch for safety
- With laser light guide
- Adjustable table height and angle
- Stable base, body, and table
- Drills accurately and repetitively
- Only has 5 speeds
- No working light
- Small table
#8. Delta 18-900L 18-Inch Laser Drill Press
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The Delta 18-900L has some new features like an auto-tensioning belt drive system for quick and easy speed changes, full quill stroke for deeper applications, precise depth stops with scale, and fully adjustable table height and angle.
You’ll get precise results all the time with the adjustable twin laser that gives you a bright red crosshair on the material you want to work on. This laser drill press comes with a five-year generous warranty, which puts more value on your money.
Conclusion: The Delta 18-900L is an updated drill press with adjustable components, improved features, and a very durable body, base, and table. It comes with a twin laser system for better and more accurate results. It is not too intimidating like other laser drill presses too. And despite some flaws, we still think that it’s a tool worth checking out.
- With twin laser guides
- Updated components
- Adjustable, easy to use
- Full quill stroke
- Precise depth stops, with work light
- Complaints that the table is too small
#9. Shop Fox W1680 1-HP 17-Inch Floor Model Drill Press
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The Shop Fox W1680 is a 17-inch floor drill press with a 1 HP motor. It offers an adjustable work table that moves up or down, left or right according to the size of the workpiece. It has a durable base, table, and stand, which is why it can stand safely and won’t move unnecessary as well. It is also equipped with a 110V light to illuminate the workpiece for improved safety.
Conclusion: The Shop Fox W1680 is a drill press that stands on the floor. It is completely adjustable, will conform to the height and angle of your project. It has a durable body and is sturdy as a rock. This might be the woodworking drill press you’ve been looking for.
- Standalone drill press
- Completely adjustable
- Worktable may be adjusted accordingly
- With work light
- With shop vac attachment
- Complaints that the worktable is small
- Needs assembly
#10. Rikon 30-100 8-Inch Drill Press
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The Rikon 30-100 is a drill press with 5-spindle speeds from 620 to 3100 RPM, making it efficient for different woodworking tasks. It can drill through different materials. It is made from solid steel and cast iron, which is why it’s heavy to reduce any unnecessary vibrations. It comes with a depth stop for accurate, repeated drilling. It has a movable stand height and table angle adjustments.
Conclusion: The Rikon 30-100 is a basic drill press with no frills. It is completely adjustable and comes with a 5-speed variable motor for more precise work. It is made from heavy-duty solid steel and cast iron. It is recommended for novice users because of its straightforward functions and features.
- Made from durable solid steel and cast iron
- Can work on all types of material
- Adjustable
- Ideal for repetitive drilling
- Vibration-free
- Only 5 speeds
- No laser and work lamp
- Worktable too small
Final Conclusion
Of the ten drill presses we featured, the WEN 4214 is our choice for the best woodworking drill press. It comes with variable speeds from 580 to 3200 RPM, updated components, and easy to adjust parts for the best drilling and sanding outputs. It comes with a laser tracking feature to reduce mistakes and prevent material wastage. It may have a few flaws but guaranteed this is a good drill press for woodworking you should check out this year.
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