The following six best benchtop drill presses for woodworking are powerful, user-friendly, and work reliably. If you want to know more about the strengths and benefits of each of these picks, please keep on reading:
Here are the best benchtop drill presses for woodworking you can buy in 2024:
- Compact: WEN 4208T
- Accurate: BILT HARD 8 inch 5-Speed Drill Press
- Quiet: Grizzly Industrial G0925
- Multi-Functional: Shop Fox W1668
- Powerful: Jet JDP-15B 716200
- Easy To Assemble: Rikon 30-100
| 6 Best Benchtop Drill Presses For Woodworking | ||
|---|---|---|
Compact | WEN 4208T | |
Accurate | BILT HARD 8 inch 5-Speed Drill Press | |
Quiet | Grizzly Industrial G0925 | |
Multi-Functional | Shop Fox W1668 | |
Powerful | Jet JDP-15B 716200 | |
Easy To Assemble | Rikon 30-100 | |
Compact: WEN 4208T
- Compact and space-saving - a 6.5
- Slight vibration
If you're looking for something light- to medium-duty but give more precision than a conventional handheld drill, then this compact model by WEN is your best choice.
It features a 6.5" x 6.5" worktable - which is modest, easy to mount, but very sturdy and effective.
Despite the compact design, it is decently versatile with five-speed options up to 3140 RPM and the bit acceptance ranges of the keyed chuck spreading from 1/20 to 1/2 inch in diameter. Moreover, it is capable of angled drilling 45 degrees left and right.
The locking depth stop and the powerful motor with ball bearings make drilling operations a lot smoother.
| WEN 4208T Specifications | |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 1/3 HP |
Swing Size | 8” |
Speed | 740-3140 RPM |
Maximum Chuck Size | ½ inches |
Highlight Features | a 6.5" x 6.5" worktable the locking depth stop and the powerful motor with ball bearings |
The WEN 4208T has the perfect balance of compactness, powerful performance, and versatility, allowing for meeting various jobs from light to medium duty.
Accurate: BILT HARD 8 inch 5-Speed Drill Press
- Accurate – Featuring sturdy base & 2.4A induction motor
- Reliable - backed by the manufacturer's 90-day warranty & CSA-Certified
- Affordable
- It vibrates during work
If you are in need of a benchtop drill press that is on the low end of money but not on the low end of quality, then this CSA-Certified model by BILT HARD is worth considering.
It is priced under $100 but backed by the manufacturer's 90-day warranty on defects in materials and workmanship and comes with a universal 13-piece set of drill bits.
But what impressed us the most is its accuracy.
Thanks to the sturdy base and the powerful 2.4A induction motor, it drills neat holes on many materials, such as wood, plastic, and metal. The five-speed settings make it even more convenient and precise during work than drilling by hand.
On the downside, its vibration might annoy you a bit.
| BILT HARD 8 inch 5-Speed Drill Press Specifications | |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 1/3 HP |
Swing Size | 8” |
Speed | 760-3070 RPM |
Maximum Chuck Size | ½” |
Highlight Features | Featuring sturdy base & 2.4A induction motor Backed by the manufacturer's 90-day warranty & CSA-Certified |
The BILT HARD 8 inch 5-Speed Drill Press gets the best of both worlds – accuracy and affordability, making it a great upgrade from handheld drills.
Quiet: Grizzly Industrial G0925
- Make a nice quiet hum while working. No shaking
- Very portable & easy to transport – the 36-pound weight
- Great safety - The chuck guard and the paddle switch with removable key
- Not include an assortment of guides/clamps
The Grizzly Industrial G0925 is a few dozen dollars pricier than the two above but we personally found that amount is well-worth for the added value.
Its well-made nicely-balanced design delivers smooth performance with a nice quiet hum and no shaking.
Without sacrificing the power output, the 5-speed 1/3HP motor produces up to 3140 RPM plus the chuck's compatibility with small drill bits from 1/16" to 1/2", allowing it to meet various small projects.
It's quick to assemble and particularly, extremely lightweight (at only 36 pounds).
The chuck guard and the paddle switch with a removable key add to the machine's safety, which is a big bonus.
| Grizzly Industrial G0925 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 1/3 HP |
Swing Size | 8" |
Speed | 740-3140 RPM |
Maximum Chuck Size | ½ inches |
Highlight Features | Make a nice quiet hum the 36-pound weight The chuck guard and the paddle switch with removable key |
The Grizzly Industrial G0925 can't be beaten when it comes to quiet operations.
Multi-Functional: Shop Fox W1668
- Capable of sanding - the dust collection port and the clearance hole in the worktable
- Achieve special sanding or drilling angles – worktable’s 90-degree tiltable angle both left and right
- Powerful & versatile - a 3/4 HP induction motor with 12-speed options and 3/4-inch drilling capacity
- Hefty
- No mortising attachment is available
The Shop Fox W1668 is like the cherry of the benchtop drill press market - built for pro craftsmen but great for anyone in need of a multifunctional model.
It features a 3/4 HP induction motor with 12-speed options and a 3/4-inch drilling capacity. Moreover, it is capable of working as an oscillating sander thanks to the added dust collection port and the clearance hole in the worktable.
The biggest plus is that its sanding operations can be immediately converted with none-tool requirements.
Its worktable features height adjustments and up to 90-degree tiltable angles both left and right to achieve special sanding or drilling angles.
Or if wanted, this worktable is moveable outward to use the drill press base independently.
| Shop Fox W1668 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 3/4-HP |
Swing Size | 13-Inch |
Speed | 250-3050 RPM |
Maximum Chuck Size | 5/8-Inch |
Highlight Features | the dust collection port and the clearance hole in the worktable worktable’s 90-degree tiltable angle both left and right a 3/4 HP induction motor with 12-speed options and 3/4-inch drilling capacity |
Built to deliver more capacity and more speed options plus the capability of instant switching between drilling and sanding, the Shop Fox W1668 becomes the most multifunctional and will be the best complement to your big floor press.
Powerful: Jet JDP-15B 716200
- Powerful – Featuring a 3/4HP motor, 3500RPM, and 16 speeds
- Great visibility in low-light conditions - LED work lights
- Accurate and effortless to use - an X-shaped XACTA Laser & one-handed belt tensioning
- A bit challenging assembly
For heavier use, we found the Jet JDP-15B 716200 to be the most powerful available. It features 16 speeds up to 3500 RPM with the 15” swing size and a full 3-1/8” spindle travel.
The LED work lights and an X-shaped XACTA Laser both are good additions, offering better visibility and accuracy while working. We also appreciate the one-handed belt tensioning for quick and precise speed changes.
In conclusion, this model did make our work more fun and effective.
| Jet JDP-15B 716200 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 0.75 HP |
Swing Size | 15" |
Speed | 3500 RPM |
Highlight Features | a 3/4HP motor, 3500RPM, and 16 speeds LED work lights an X-shaped XACTA Laser & one-handed belt tensioning |
For those people who don’t care about the price and are in need of a more powerful benchtop drill press for heavy use, then we wouldn't recommend any other than the Jet JDP-15B 716200
Easy To Assemble: Rikon 30-100
- Easy to assemble – including all the tools and parts
- Transportable – the 34.4-pound weight
- Dependable - The 5-year warranty
- The rubber coating on the handles needs improvement
- Wish the table till bolt featured a quick release
If ease of assembly is your biggest consideration, then take a gander at the Rikon 30-100. It comes with all the tools and parts required for installation plus the instructions are clear and straightforward. Besides, at 34.4 pounds, the machine is fairly lightweight to move around.
Considering the features and power output, we highly recommend this model for repeatable drilling pen blanks or other small projects.
The 5-year warranty really convinced our team.
| Rikon 30-100 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 1/3HP |
Swing Size | 8-Inch |
Speed | 3100 RPM |
Maximum Chuck Size | 0.39 Inches |
Highlight Features | including all the tools and parts the 34.4-pound weight The 5-year warranty |
If you’re looking for a light-duty benchtop drill press for woodworking that is also easy to assemble, our recommendation is the Rikon 30-100
How To Choose The Best Benchtop Drill Press For Woodworking?
Motor Power
The motor power of the benchtop drill press - including the sort of torque and power output - that you should look for depends on what sort of projects you'd like to do.
Power output is measured in horsepower (HP) and will affect two things: the material type that you work with and the hole sizes.
On average, benchtop drill presses’ power ranges from 1/3 to ¾ HP.
The sturdier the material and the larger the hose size, the more powerful the motor power.
We don't recommend you to opt for the most powerful product on the market, especially if your wood projects are small and delicate because it is just bulky, heavy, and money-wasting. Instead, go for a drill press that meets your needs.
Speed Options
The measuring unit of drill press speed is revolutions per minute (RPM).
During your woodworking, you might need to deal with different types of material, which requires your benchtop drill press to have various speed options.
This feature not only gives you the flexibility of tackling a lot of different tasks but also ensures your safety. For example, if you drill on a hard steel surface at a too-high speed, it is prone to overheat.
Actually, single-speed benchtop drill presses are available on the market but not quite popular because of their limited capability.
Our experts, therefore, advise you to try to spend extra bucks on a model that can give you more choices of speed.
Travel & Drill Size
Travel refers to the max distance that the chuck is able to be moved up and down. A benchtop drill press with 1" travel, for example, allows you to move its drill bit tip 2" up or down.
A product with greater travel can bore through thicker material and vice versa.
The drill size, on the other hand, is measured by the throat distance - meaning that the gap between the stand supporting the motor and the drill bit.
But take note that the number you find on a drill press was doubled by the manufacturer, which means if it is a 10" drill press, the actual drill size is 6".
Which Brands Make The Best Benchtop Drill Press For Woodworking?
WEN
When it comes to the best manufacturer for high-quality benchtop drill presses, our favorite choice is WEN, a USA-based company founded in 1951. They are dedicated to designing and producing power tools that have the perfect balance of quality and price.
BILT HARD
BILT HARD is specialized in both gas tools and power tools.
While keeping their products at highly competitive price ranges, they don’t compromise quality. Persuasive evidence is that all of their lines meet international quality standards. Besides, their two large warehouses in GA and CA make the shipping and customer service more convenient.
Rikon
A bit different from the two brands above, Rikon focuses on developing and manufacturing woodworking machinery, therefore, their products are more customizable and can meet more specific needs. Besides, their 5-year warranty policy really convinced us.
FAQs
Are benchtop drill presses any good?
Yes, they are. Benchtop drill presses are a perfect addition for workshop or hobby shops. They play a huge role in boring holes in various materials, such as metal and wood, in a safer and more precise way.
What height should a benchtop drill press be?
A benchtop drill press should be around 33” to 35” tall.
Is Wen a good brand of a drill press?
Absolutely yes, it is. WEN is currently one of the most reliable brands specializing in designing and manufacturing power tools – including grill press. Their lines are well-known for ease of use, powerful performance, and versatility.
Do I need a variable speed drill press?
Yes, you do. A drill press with variable speed options allows for making more precise holes in the existing material.
How loud is a drill press?
Regular handheld drill presses emit 90 to 94 decibels of noise.
Conclusion
There you have it – our top 6 choices of the best benchtop drill press for woodworking. We hope that our review list helped you decide which one is the right option for you. Thanks for dropping by.
