Our Test to Find the Best Drill Press

A drill press provides power and accuracy you can't get drilling by hand. We tested five full-size bench-top machines, each with a minimum swing of 12 inches (the diameter of the circle into which it can drill a center hole).

By Roy Berendsohn

Sep 17, 2013

Craftsman ZJQ4116D

Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ½

Price: $198
Amps: 3.5
Horsepower: 1/2
Swing: 12 inches
Steel-drilling time: 12.91 seconds

Likes: Reasonably priced and well-equipped, the Craftsman is a good choice for small shops that divide their work between wood and metal drilling. Its goose-necked worklight and crisp laser crosshairs help you find the mark quickly on dark metal surfaces, and it has more than enough power for basic wood boring.

Dislikes: The pulley-adjustment lever is a bit stubby. Increasing its length would make adjusting the machine's speed an easier task.

General International 75-030 M1

Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★

Price: $350
Amps: 3.5
Horsepower: 1/2
Swing: 13-1/4 inches
Steel-drilling time: 9.63 seconds

Likes: The General proves that not all 1/2-hp drill presses are created equally. This machine provides a nice combination of speed and power, making it a good choice if you drill primarily metal, with the occasional foray into woodwork. We also liked its impeccable fit and finish, onboard chuck-key storage, worklight, and laser crosshairs.

Dislikes: The spring-loaded pulley-adjustment mechanism is sturdy but needs better industrial design to make it easier to use.

Grizzly G7943

Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Best Overall)

Price: $295
Amps: 9
Horsepower: 3/4
Swing: 14 inches
Steel-drilling time: 7.32 seconds

Likes: As the time trial indicates, this machine takes a bear-size bite out of wood and metal. In fact, it's rated to drill through 3/4-inch-thick steel. It accomplishes that feat with a big motor, but we also liked features such as its worklight, adjustable eye guard, and large, rubber-covered handles.

Dislikes: The Grizz' needs onboard chuck-key storage.

Jet JDP-12

Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Price: $375
Amps: 5
Horsepower: 1/3
Swing: 12 inches
Steel-drilling time: 10.43 seconds

Likes: Don't think twice about this machine's 1/3-hp motor—it's got plenty of power. And the Jet was the drill press with the most features, with onboard chuck-key storage, a worklight, crosshair laser, a digital speed readout, and a slide-out work support arm complete with a roller. But our favorite feature was the lever-activated speed adjustment, eliminating the need to fiddle with slipping belts on and off a pulley. Just turn the handle to adjust drilling speed.

Dislikes: The lock handle for the worktable is a bit small.

Shop Fox W1668

Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Price: $350
Amps: 9
Horsepower: 3/4
Swing: 13-1/4 inches
Steel-drilling time: 9.22 seconds

Likes: The Fox finished just a shade slower than the bear in our time trials, making this machine a good choice for users who do a lot of metal drilling or make big holes in wood—say, for chunky pine or hardwood furniture. That's especially true because this machine can be converted into an oscillating spindle sander with a 2-inch dust port built into the side of its worktable.

Dislikes: A minor complaint, but it could use onboard chuck-key storage.

Central Machinery 60237

Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Best Compact)

Price: $130
Amps: 3.85
Horsepower: Not applicable
Swing: 10 inches
Steel-drilling time: 12.06 seconds

Likes: This solid little machine turned in metal-drilling times on par with the some of the big boys. Yes, its swing is petite (it's a compact machine, after all) and its worktable is only 8 inches wide. But these are assets if you take this machine on the road and need portability.

Dislikes: You're probably as tired of hearing this gripe as we are of saying it, but this machine does need onboard chuck-key storage.

Ryobi DP102L

Ranking: ★ ★ ★

Price: $130
Amps: 3
Horsepower: Not applicable
Swing: 10 inches
Steel-drilling time: 15.59 seconds
Likes: If you need a worklight and crosshair laser on your compact drill press, then choose this product. Otherwise, as the time trial indicates, it may not be the fastest metal driller, though it gets the job done.

Dislikes: The Ryobi's pulley-adjustment mechanism is so clumsy that users will be tempted to leave it on one speed. Since accurate speed setting is one of the virtues of a drill press, this reduces this machine's usefulness.

Skil 3320

Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ½

Price: $118
Amps: 3.2
Horsepower: Not applicable
Swing: 10 inches
Steel-drilling time: 18.54 seconds
Likes: Budget-minded tool shoppers will like this little press. What it lacks in outright power it makes up for in convenience, with smoothly operated speed changes so you can easily loosen and tighten the rear pulley to slip the belt on and off. It also features a crosshair laser and onboard chuck-key storage.

Dislikes: None.

Next 5 Backpack Leaf Blowers to Dominate the Backyard

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Roy Berendsohn Senior Home Editor Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment.