Buyers Guide: Drill Presses
The drill press is a handy power tool to own for general DIY or the trade professional. Ideal for drilling consistent holes into metal or wood; a drill press will give you optimum control and versatility.
Drilling precisely spaced holes or boring to exact depths is made easy with a drill press. With additional accessories your drill press can also function as a mortise machine, a spindle sander or a pocket hole machine.
A great addition to any workshop the right drill press will deliver on functionality and features to get the job done. Choosing the right drill press for your needs may require taking a closer look at some of the features and different models available.
Bench-top Drill Press or Floor Drill Press
Bench-top models – Bench-top drill presses mount securely onto a workbench or stand with a short post that allows for the right height for easy operation. They are small and portable and great for smaller work areas. Suitable for general use and small scale DIY.
Floor models – Floor standing drill presses rest on the floor and have a long post making operation in a standing position comfortable. Larger than bench-top models they tend to be more powerful and offer added functionality with bonus attachments and accessories. Great for serious DIY or workshop professionals.
Speed and Power Control
Most drill presses will offer motors of ¼ - 1 horsepower (HP) with the more powerful drills capable of boring larger holes. A variable speed swicth is necessary to drill with different sized bits; the larger the bit the slower the drill press should be operated. Variable speed controls range between 5 to 12 speed settings depending on the model. The more speed settings the more versatile the drill; offering great flexibility and control over drill bit size and hole diameter.
Standard Features
Quill travel – the greater the quill travel the greater the boring depth of the drill press
Adjustable table – For supporting the work material; can be lowered or raised with many models offering added swivel actions for odd shaped materials. Top model presses may also offer larger tilting tables with fences for greater control and stability.
Depth Stop – Ideal for making repetitive holes to the same depth
Centre Drilling Capacity – The distance from the column to the centre of the chuck. Determines how far from the edge of the material you can drill.
Accessories & Attachments
Fences – Holds the material in place on the table; great for drilling repetitive holes
Sanding Drums – Handy for sanding curves and odd shapes
Planer Heads – works for squaring edges and cutting rabbets
Drill Bits – See the DrillKings drill bits guide for information on choosing the correct drill bit for the job.
Recommendations
A drill press is a great tool to have around the home for DIY and hobbyist and are an invaluable tool for workshop professionals. Look for a drill press that has the features, affordability and practicality to suit your needs.
No matter what model or make you choose look for the right amount of power and a unit that offers stability, low vibration and user-friendly speed, table and drill depth adjustments.
For detailed information on specific makes and models and to read detailed customer reviews and compare prices and ratings check out the DrillKings drill press catalogue.
We carry a great range of drill presses and drill press accessories at very competitive prices. Our drill presses are in-stock unless otherwise specified and ready to ship, typically within 24 hours.
Great savings mean you get the Drill you want at a Price you can afford. That’s the DrillKings Advantage.
