What is the best benchtop drill press? There are several features to consider before buying your benchtop drill press. The first one is the size of the drill press or its swing. For example, if you have a 12-inch drill press, you can drill holes in the center of a 12-inch disk. The second one is the power, which is measured in Hp. Depending on your needs, you may choose a drill press with a 1/3 hp to ¾ hp motor. More powerful motors are generally not necessary for home workshops as they require more safety precautions. The third essential feature is the speed measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). Choose a unit that offers a variety of speeds and allows you to drill at no less than 1,500 RPM. We believe that the WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press meets these criteria best.
Why have we chosen it? WEN is a trustworthy brand that has been present in the market since the 1950s. Based in Illinois, the company produces a variety of power tools, generators, hydraulic cylinders, snow blowers, log splitters, and other equipment. This item is an industrial-grade, 12-inch benchtop drill press with a quill diameter of 2.17 inches. The unit can operate at different speeds ranging from 580 to 3200 RPMs. Its high-range speeds exceed most other benchtop drill presses. The unit features a durable and powerful 2 / 3hp induction motor, a cast-iron work table, and rigid frame construction. It has a rack and pinion height adjustment and bevels 45 degrees left / right.
Benchtop drill presses drill, bore and thread holes precisely and accurately. They are a good solution for the home workshop or tool room that has limited space. Many benchtop drill presses adjust to drill straight or at an angle. While they lack the power and speed of a heavy-duty floor drill press, they effectively perform counterboring, countersinking, tapping and reaming.
Benchtop drill presses are made for portability and may be attached to your work surface temporarily or permanently. The motor and additional leverage allows you to drill holes quickly, accurately, evenly-spaced and repetitively.
Table of Content
- 1 What to Consider When Buying a Benchtop Drill Press
- 2 How Various Models Differ from One Another
- 3 Trusted Benchtop Drill Press Brands
- 4 Benchtop Drill Press Reviews
- 5 10 Best Benchtop Drill Presses Comparison Table
- 6 FAQ
What to Consider When Buying a Benchtop Drill Press
Swing (Spindle / Table Distance)
The size of the drill press is its “swing”, which is calculated as two times the distance from the center of the spindle to the closest edge of the vertical post. A 12 in. drill press, for example, allows you to drill holes in the center of a 12 in. disk (a distance of 6 inches between the center of the spindle and the edge of the column)
Power (Hp)
A 1/3 hp to ¾ hp drill press motor is sufficient for most home workshops and hobbyists. A 1 hp drill may be overkill, and should be securely anchored to a stable workbench to avoid risk of tipping over. Your drill press motor's horsepower determines the size drill bit you can effectively use. The larger the bit, the more horsepower you need to cut through the material.
Speed (RPM)
RPMs indicate how fast the spindle rotates. The faster it rotates, the more force is transferred to the bit, making smoother and faster drilling. Multiple speeds allow you drill a variety of materials. Smaller bits drill / rotate faster. For example, a woodworker using a 7/16 in. bit, for can drill soft wood at 1,500 rpm, where a 1 in. bit bores the same material at 750 rpm. Comparatively, a 7/16 in. bit drills hard wood at 740 rpm, while the 1 in. drill bit penetrates the same material at 500 rpm. Smaller bits drill metals at higher rpm's as well. A 7/16 in. bit moves at 600 rpm through steel; 750 rpm through brass; 1,500 rpm through aluminum. A 1 in. bit moves at 350 rpm through steel; 400 rpm through brass; 1,000 rpm through aluminum.
Drill Bits (Types / Size)
Twist drill bits are common hole-drilling bits. They are designed to withstand turning torque and downward pressure. They may be smaller and straight shank or tapered shank. Sizes may range from 0.0135 in. diam. (Wire Gauge No. 80) to 3.500 in. diam. Cone-shaped 82 deg. countersinks cut angled holes for flathead screws. Reamers enlarge a drilled hole a few thousandths-of-an inch while boring tools enlarge holes. to a preset size according to the distance the bit protrudes from the arbor.
Stop Depth
The stop depth is the maximum depth of the hole you want to drill. It is a drill press setting that stops the drill when it reaches the desired drilled depth. Once set, the stop depth ensures each hole is drilled to the same depth.
How Various Models Differ from One Another
Benchtop drill presses are smaller and lighter weight. They are portable and more compact for home workshops. A foot switch turns the machine on / off. Their rpm speed is faster and the drilling force is low.
Floor-mounted, medium-duty drill presses are used in tool rooms and machine shops. They have a continuously-variable transmission and wide range of speeds. These drill presses allow you to change speeds without shutting off the machine.
Heavy-duty gear-head drill presses are commonly used in commercial / industrial metalworking shops focused on continuous production drilling and quick-set up / changes. They require little maintenance and facilitate quick-set up changes. Their rpm speed is slower (than for woodworking) and the drilling force is high.
A radial arm drill press (typically a large geared-head model) operates over a large area without repositioning. It is an alternative to a tilt-type worktable.
Trusted Benchtop Drill Press Brands
Craftsman benchtop drill press. Craftsman has been a reliable, high-performance, recognized American-made tool brand for nearly a century.
Jet benchtop drill press. Jet has provided quality tools to US manufacturing plants, machine shops and workshops for 50 years.
Porter-Cable benchtop drill press. Porter-Cable set the standard for tool shop and machine tool quality, performance, and reliability since 1906.
Grizzly benchtop drill press. Grizzly Industrial® has been a national retail, mail order and Internet company specializing in woodworking and metalworking tools since 1983.
Wen benchtop drill press. Wen has produced innovative power tools with value-added features since 1951.
Delta benchtop drill press. Delta is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of stationary woodworking tools for professionals and advanced woodworking markets.
Benchtop Drill Press Reviews
Below, you will find a review of the best benchtop drill presses at a price ranging from $ 100 to $ 740. You may choose an industrial-grade, variable-speed model with a 12-inch swing or a heavy-duty magnetic benchtop drill press that optimizes a variety of professional-grade applications. There are also budget options that will cost you somewhere around $ 100 and have the advantage of being compact.
1. WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press | Best Industrial-Grade
The industrial-grade, variable-speed WEN 4214 is an affordable, high-end benchtop drill press with a 12-inch swing. Its table, head and base are cast iron, rigid frame construction. The 9½ in. x 9½ in. adjustable table has a rack and pinion height adjustment and bevels 45 deg. left / right. A table roller extension increases the table support to 17in.
It has a powerful, well-balanced 120V, 5 amp, 60 Hz, 2/3 hp induction (ball-bearing) motor for extended life. Its mechanical spindle infinity speeds range from 0 - 3,200 rpm. Low-range 580 rpm speeds easily drill ½-in. sheet metal and hard plastic. High-range speeds exceed most other benchtop drill presses. A 3-1 / 8 in. spindle travel and locking linear depth stop allows accurate, repeat drilling operations. The ⅝ in. chuck and MT2 spindle taper accommodate a variety of bits.
The WEN 4214 benchtop drill press also features a digital LED running speed display, on-board chuck key storage, attached work light and Class III precision laser centering module for improved accuracy.
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WEN: Check the current price
2. DEWALT DWE1622K 2-Speed Magnetic Drill Press, 2-Inch | Best Heavy-Duty
The 2-speed DEWALT DWE1622K is a heavy-duty magnetic benchtop drill press that optimizes a variety of professional-grade applications. It withstands 741 lbs. drillpoint pressure at the ½ in. steel plate.
It has a high-performance 120V, 10 amp motor that adjusts for greater accessory range. The spindle turns at no-load speeds of 300 rpm and 450 rpm. Its 4⅜ in. drill travel is capable of clean drilling deep holes through thick woods, hard plastics, metals and other hard materials. Overload protection reduces damage caused by power outages and voltage overflow. It prevents damage to the motor and minimizes wear on accessories. The Quick Change chuck system allows tool-free changes between a ¾ in. Weldon Shank and a ½ in. keyed chuck.
The DEWALT DWE1622K benchtop drill press also features a height adjustment tool, Quick Release feed handles magnetic, self-feed cooling tank that allows you to control the flow of cooling fluid without interrupting the drilling process and safety chain.
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DEWALT: Check the current price
3. SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press | Best Adjustable
The compact, 5-speed SKIL 3320-01 is a multi-speed, DIY home workshop drill press with a 10-inch swing. It has a durable cast iron table and rigid frame construction. The 7¾ in. x 7¾ in. adjustable tilt work table has a maximum 0-45 deg. left / right bevel range.
It has a durable 120V, 3.2 amp, ¼ hp motor capable of turning the spindle at speeds that cut clean holes through wood, metal, and other materials. Speeds range from (no load) 0 - 3,050 rpm. Low-range 570 rpm speeds easily drill sheet metal without generating heat. High-range speeds and 2⅜ in. spindle travel make the SKIL 3320-01 a “top woodworking drill press.” The ½ in. keyed chuck accepts larger bits that allow you to drill round or square holes and polish wood or metal.
The SKIL 3320-01 benchtop drill press also features a bump-off / lockout power safety switch and two Laser X2 2-beam lasers that guide the spindle for greater consistency and hole alignment precision. The In-depth Adjustment System allows you to drill down consistently, repeatedly and perfectly.
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SKILSAW: Check the current price
4. SHOP FOX W1669 ½-Horsepower Benchtop Radial Drill Press | Best Multi-Speed
The versatile 5-speed SHOP FOX W1669 is a multi-speed, radial drill press with a 34-inch maximum swing. It has a 9¾ in. dia. precision ground cast iron table that tilts 90 degrees in both directions and swings a full 360 degrees. The headstock also tilts a maximum tilt of 0-45 deg. left and 90 deg. right.
It has a durable 110V, 5 amp, ½ hp motor capable of turning the spindle at speeds that cut clean holes through wood, metal, and other materials. Speeds range from 0 - 3,470 rpm. Lower range 550, 880 and 1,520 rpm speeds easily drill sheet metal. High-range 2,490 and 3,470 rpm speeds and 3¼ in. spindle travel make clean deep woodworking holes. It has a ⅝ in. drill chuck that accepts a variety of bits.
The SHOP FOX W1669 benchtop drill press also features cushioned-grip quill handles, safety paddle switch and removable lock-out key.
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Shop Fox: Check the current price
5. Genesis GDP805P 5-Speed 2.6 Amp 8 "Drill Press with ½" Chuck | Best Budget Choice
The compact and quiet 5-speed Genesis GDP805P is an affordable, multi-speed benchtop drill press with an 8-inch swing that is ideal for the DIY home workshop. The 7 in. worktable has a maximum tilt of 0-45 deg.
It has a powerful 120V, 2.6 amp induction motor capable of turning the spindle at a range of speeds from 750 rpm to 3,070 rpm. Lower range speeds easily drill sheet metal. High-range speeds to 3,070 rpm make clean deep woodworking holes. This benchtop drill press has a 2 in. spindle travel with an adjustable depth stop. The ½ in. chuck accepts larger bits to perform a variety of applications.
The Genesis GDP805P benchtop drill press also features an accessible metal pulley housing to allow easy speed changes and power switch and lockout options.
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Genesis: Check the current price
6. SE 3-Speed Mini Drill Press Bench - 97511MDP | Best Budget Choice
The compact, 3-speed SE 97511MDP is a variable-speed, “mini” drill press that is “easier to use and more accurate than a handheld drill”. It is specifically designed for jewelers but is equally ideal for any home workshop, craftsman, mechanic or woodworker. It offers a 6-9 / 16 in. x 6-9 / 16 in. work table.
Its 110V, 100W, ¼ hp motor is capable of turning the spindle at speeds of 0-5,000 rpm, 0-6,500 rpm and 0-8,000 rpm. Its 1 in. spindle travel cleanly cuts wood, jewelry and other materials accurately without defects. Three wrenches and 6mm chuck key are included.
The SE 97511MDP mini drill press also features laser guide crosshairs that allow drilling accuracy within 0.001 in.
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SE: Check the current price
10 Best Benchtop Drill Presses Comparison Table
WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press 
DEWALT DWE1622K 2-Speed Magnetic Drill Press, 2-Inch 
SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press 
SHOP FOX W1669 ½-Horsepower Benchtop Radial Drill Press 
Genesis GDP805P 5-Speed 2.6 Amp 8 "Drill Press with ½" Chuck, Adjustable Depth Stop, Tilt Table, and Chuck Key 
SE 3-Speed Mini Drill Press Bench - 97511MDP 
Shop Fox W1668 ¾-HP 13-Inch Bench-Top Drill Press / Spindle Sander 
WEN 434TV 4.25-Inch Industrial Strength Benchtop and Drill Press Tilting Angle Vise 
Jet 716200 Jdp-15B 15 Bench Drill Press " 
JET 354170 / JDP-20MF 20-Inch Floor Drill Press FAQ
How do you use a benchtop drill press?
Install the chuck. Set the depth stop. Position & lock the table. Insert the bit. Set (vice-clamp) the workpiece on the table. Switch the drill ON. Lower the drill. The drill is in a rotating spindle which is fed into the workpiece creating the hole.
How do you change belts on a Harbor Freight benchtop drill press?
Open the drill press compartment. Push the motor in to slack the belt. Change the belt. Pull the motor back in place and tighten the knob, making sure the slack is out of the new belt.
