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Feb 02, 2024

The 6 Best Drill Presses for 2022

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? With a fixed head and sturdy base, these smart tools make it easy to create perfectly

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

With a fixed head and sturdy base, these smart tools make it easy to create perfectly straight holes, every time.

Handheld power drills are fine for creating pilot holes and performing rough carpentry, but they’re not ideal for boring ultra-precise holes in your workpieces. For this type of work, you’re going to need a drill press. These motorized tools feature a vertical drill bit mounted to a large metal frame, providing the stability and clamping support necessary for creating extremely straight holes in wood, metal, or plastic. A large rotating handle makes it easy to lower the bit into place, and thanks to an integrated depth stop, you can be sure the holes will be the exact same depth every time.

Whether you mount them to a workbench or stand them up on their own, drill presses provide the sturdy foundation needed to safely perform heavy-duty work.

First, make sure the drill press you’re considering is large enough to hold the object you’re planning on drilling.

Pay close attention to the “swing” distance of the press. This number indicates the distance between the spindle and the central column of the press, multiplied by two. For example, if a press has a swing distance of 20 inches, you’ll have enough room to drill in the center of a 20-inch diameter piece. By paying attention to the swing distance, and having a rough idea of the size of the pieces you’ll be working with, you can avoid ending up with a press that’s either too small to work on, or wasting money—and floorspace—on a machine that’s too big.

Spindle travel distance is another factor to consider. This will let you know how far the drill itself can be lowered. The higher the spindle travel number, the thicker the workpiece you’ll be able to work with.

I’ve been using drill presses for years—both smaller bench top models in my home garage growing up, and large, industrial models in a commercial woodworking shop. I used this experience to help curate this list of options, as well as performing extensive online research to ensure I included popular and highly-regarded products. I also made sure to include a variety of sizes, styles, and brands, so regardless of your skillset and drilling requirements, you should find the perfect drill press for you.

For more great additions to your tool arsenal, check out our picks for the best hand saws, heat guns, and brad nailers.

Key Specs

This Wen press might not be the most powerful model, but its low price could make it a cost-effective choice for the right DIY-er. The 10-inch swing allows for a wide range of light-duty drilling tasks, and it’s capable of drilling through materials up to 2 inches thick.

The bolt holes on the cast-iron base make it easy to mount to your workbench, and at just 54 pounds, it's relatively easy to move into position. The digital readout lets you know exactly how fast the drill is rotating, and laser crosshairs increase overall accuracy.

Model Number: 4212T

Key Specs

In addition to being a high-quality drill press, this Shop Fox model is just as useful as a bench-mounted sander. An oscillating spindle ensures compatibility with sanding drums between 1 and 2 inches in diameter, making it convenient for a wide range of sanding tasks.

A removable safety key also eliminates the chance for unintentional starts, which is always a nice perk when using heavy machinery like this. The 7 x 7–inch table may be a bit smaller than most, but its 90-degree tilt capability is a useful feature for both drilling and sanding.

Model Number: W1667

Key Specs

You’ll need to supply your own Dremel tool, but if you already have one on hand and are interested in improving the accuracy and depth consistency of your holes, this could be the perfect fit. The tool holder itself—but not the table—rotates up to 90 degrees too, so you can drill and sand at nearly any angle you need to.

We’re also big fans of the cord wrangling clips on the tool holder, ensuring that your power cord won’t interfere with your work. This press is compatible with a wide range of Dremel tools, so chances are good that yours won’t have a problem fitting.

Model Number: 220-01

Key Specs

If you’ve decided on a floor press over a bench-top option, this Jet model and its high-end design could be just what you’re looking for. Its built-in LED light and laser combine to ensure you’re getting a clear, accurate view of your workpiece, and both can be adjusted to your preferred angle.

The extra-large work table provides the support and stability needed for large items, and at 187 pounds, the entire unit should be extremely stable. Its large, paddle-style power button makes it easy to turn off quickly too, which is always a handy safety feature.

Model Number: JDP-17

Key Specs

Unlike bench-top or standing models, this DeWALT press uses a strong electromagnet to mount itself to the metal piece being worked on, making it ideal for use in heavy-duty metalworking projects.

It's not as multifunctional as other drill presses that can be used on both wood and metal, but its ability to accept both twist bits and annular cutters make it much more valuable if your priority is quick and clean metal drilling up to just over 4 inches. This press also includes a magnetic coolant tank that can be attached to the unit itself.

Model Number: DWE1622K

Key Specs

It's not big or heavy-duty enough for large-scale projects, but if you’re more interested in tackling craft or circuit board work, this Joyabest model could be a perfect fit. At less than $100, it's also considerably cheaper than the other options on our list, making it a great choice for a beginner who might not be ready to make a big investment.

Although it’s not as powerful as other models, this allows it to have a compact size and shape that’s perfect for those without much extra space. This machine probably won’t be durable enough for heavy daily use, though, so keep that in mind.

Model Number: TMVYKJ8

Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.

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