I'm setting up a small garage workshop as part of my retirement project and I'm on the hunt for a reliable bench top drill press. I want something that's fairly priced—not too cheap but not over the top either—that can do the job without causing any frustration or regrets down the line. What models do you recommend? How's your experience been so far with them?
3 Answers
I own a 10" Wen variable speed drill press and it's worked well for my needs. Just a heads up, the drill press table they sell is pretty flimsy, so you might want to build your own out of plywood. One thing to note is that it doesn't go slow enough—a 1" Forstner bit in hardwood really should be under 500 RPM, and this one's minimum is 530 RPM. I'd love to find a model that can go down to 100 RPM if anyone has suggestions! Also, the laser guide runs on AA batteries, which is a bit odd. You have to remember to turn it off or take the batteries out if you're not using it regularly. Otherwise, it handles various materials like a champ.
I'd suggest looking for a drill press with variable speed. Personally, I wouldn't go for the super fancy electronically controlled ones. A solid model from a reputable brand like Rikon could be a great option. They offer a good balance of quality and cost, and I’ve heard good things about their 12-inch variable speed drill press.
I've been pretty happy with my Wen 4212. It has a nice feature that lets you change speeds on the fly while it's running, and it even has a differential speed readout. The only downside for me is that the spindle travel is just 2 inches, which can sometimes feel a bit limiting.
That's a valid point about the RPMs! I’ve been on the lookout for something that can handle low speeds too. Let me know if you find a model that does!