Drill Presses Buying Guide

Average Rating	Average Price	Reviews	Products
	$1633.63	441	169

Whether you are drilling into metal or wood, having a drill press makes the job of making consistent holes possible. A drill press consists of a metal post on a stand with a drill head mounted at the top. It has an adjustable table mounted to the post under the head for supporting the workpiece. Floor-standing drill presses have posts that are long enough that the head is shoulder height (more or less) making it comfortable to operate while standing at the tool. A bench-top model has a short post that allows the base to be placed on a work-bench.

Speed Control

Not all bits should be operated at the same speed. In general, the larger the bit, the slower the drill press should be operated. Large bits generate more heat that may dull your bit. Manufacturers publish recommended speeds for different bits. Most drill presses are belt driven. Speed is changed by moving a belt up or down on a pulley. This requires that you stop the tool, open the top, adjust the belt, and then restart the tool. It's a bit of a pain and the result is that often the speed is not changed when it should be.

Variable speed drill presses offer the ability to change the speed without moving a belt. It's a lot more likely that you'll use the right speed if it's easy to make the change. The problem with variable speed (VS) drill presses is that they range from expensive to very expensive. It is difficult for hobbyists (and even most professionals) to justify the price.

Uses Other Than Making Holes

Although the primary function of a drill press is boring holes, it can do a number of other things that use either is rotational capability or it's press (or both). There are attachments that accept mortising chisels. It seems like a pretty good idea, but the one we tried didn't work very well. A real mortising machine provides a great deal more downward power than a drill press and does a better job holding the work.

If you don't have an oscillating spindle sander, the drill press does a pretty good job of sanding inside curves using a set of sanding spindles. You'll need to clean the sandpaper to keep it from getting clogged, but the drill press will get the job done.

Other applications include sharpening systems that use the drill press to rotate the sharpening media and even custom heated brands for marking pieced that simply use the press and don't rotate at all. These are systems that were developed knowing that virtually every shop has a drill press, even if it is a small one on a desk top.

Types of Drill Presses

Bench-Top

For a shop with limited space, a bench-top drill press is a welcome addition. Although it is smaller overall (table, post, drilling depth, and power), it can still handle many of the same jobs as as floor standing model.

Group	Average Rating	Average Price	Reviews	Products
Drill Presses		$1633.63	441	169
Bench-Top		$1665.93	200	86

There are 86 products in Bench-Top Drill Presses with an average rating of 4. The average price is $1665.93. The median ranking of the 169 products in Drill Presses is 4 with an median price of $1633.63. Click the Bench-Top Drill Presses product links for detailed information on the specific models.

There is one product from Bench-Top Drill Presses that we think stands out. Click here to find out why we like the General International 75-100.

Floor

Virtually all serious shops, whether they are working metal or wood, have a floor standing drill press. For most shops, power is less important than stability, low vibration, and ease of adjustment of speed, tables and drill depth.

Group	Average Rating	Average Price	Reviews	Products
Drill Presses		$1633.63	441	169
Floor		$1601.32	241	83

The average rating of the 83 products in Floor Drill Presses is 4 and the average price is $1601.32. The average rating of the 169 products in Drill Presses is 4 with an average price of $1633.63. Click the Floor Drill Presses product links for more data on the individual models.