For precision drilling on different materials, here is the best drill press for a professional, hobby, or DIY job, how to choose the right model, and which to buy according to your needs.
The drill press is a stationary tool to be fixed to a shelf allowing you to perform precision perpendicular drilling and serial holes on wood, metals, and other materials.
The column rests firmly on a solid base, which guarantees greater stability, while the materials to be processed must be positioned on the work surface.
In the upper part of the device, the motor, whose transmission group can be belted or gears, drives the spindle to perform the desired operation.
Greater precision is the main advantage of the drill press over manual drills, which allows you to perform much more accurate work on small and large holes.
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How to choose a drill press
To correctly choose which drill press to buy, you must first understand the differences between the types and parameters to be evaluated, understand which model is right for us, and move towards a professional or hobby model.
Belt or gear transmission
The drill presses are divided into two large families regarding operation: belt or gear transmission.
The belt drive is usually used in manual feed drills or drills less than 30 mm in diameter. The spindle’s movement is impressed by two conical pulleys: one with the spindle shaft connected by the belt and the other with the motor shaft.
The gear transmission is more powerful and withstands rather heavy loads and stresses. This operation allows drilling more resistant materials and is generally found in drills with automatic feed or drills with a diameter greater than 30 mm.
The spindle to move vertically is connected to a rudder outside a core box. The drill with gear transmission is also useful in jobs where the piece is not completely drilled and a depth stop is required.
Types of drill presses
The bench drill press is a compact model to be fixed on the table and has the advantage of taking up little space. As a result, it is suitable for artisans and small hobby work at home.
The stationary drill is a fixed tool on the ground with great power; it is mainly used in workshops to work on large pieces.
The radial drill is similar to the bench drill but differs in a horizontal regulator, thanks to which it is possible to vary the distance between the spindle and the column. Its use is recommended for drilling away from the edge.
The magnetic drill is fixed on a flat metal surface and guarantees considerable flexibility in drilling or milling. It is usually used on construction sites or structures.
Drilling depth and distance
The drilling depth depends on the driving ability while the spindle is lowered. Therefore, to calculate this parameter, it is appropriate to consider the length of the longest tip.
Those with special needs should use drill supports that ensure considerable freedom of movement. The distance between the table and the spindle depends on the piece to be drilled.
A beam and a flat iron have different thicknesses and require different spaces. You can use a high column or an intermediate table to adjust the space more easily in these cases.
The distance between the column and the spindle is usually equivalent to the profile of the drill. The spindle capacity corresponds to the diameters of the tips.
Power and power supply
To offer average performance, a good drill press must have an engine with a power of at least 710 watts.
The power depends on the diameter of the holes you intend to make and the material type. If the frequency of use is rather high, the drill press should be oversized.
There are two types of power supply: a three-phase power supply must be used for the workshop, while a single-phase power supply is sufficient for household work.
Speed and precision
The drill presses are equipped with an extensive range of speeds for each type of use. Therefore, more specific jobs should check the performance, especially at low and high speeds.
Speed is selected by moving the belt on the pulleys. Some models have a special variation that quickly and intuitively adjusts the speed.
For those who frequently use this device, evaluating the ease of adjustments is essential. For example, specific handles are more suitable than a screw to be unscrewed with a wrench to be searched continuously.
The long handles are also more comfortable and ensure a more precise depth and dosage of the puncture. However, a steering wheel is recommended for the series drilling of delicate materials.
For the work of maximum precision, it is preferable to use millimeter indicators on all the adjustments. Accuracy also depends on the type of material to be drilled; it may be useful to associate a large column with a guide to ensure the necessary perpendicularity.
The table must be extremely stable without vibrations or movements that can affect the precision of the processing. Therefore, some models are equipped with a special vice capable of guaranteeing stability to the piece to be worked on.
Several models have lights and laser pointers, highly appreciated additional components for performing extremely precise and finishing work. However, buying a bench drill with a laser is advisable for those who need to perform jobs with high precision.
Dimensions and materials
You should carefully evaluate the dimensions to choose the best professional drill press that best suits your needs.
The requirements to consider are the space available on the workbench, the column’s height that determines the base’s vertical displacement, and its operation space. Most drill presses are cast iron, a decidedly resistant material with greater guarantees.
Tips
The perfect result of a job depends on the choice of tips, which must be targeted and careful.
Generally, iron drills are used, which are considered universal because they easily drill holes in wood, plastic, and any other material. The iron tips are made of different materials: steel is suitable for hardened steel, cast iron, iron, and hard metals.
The steel tips can be cobalt treated or coated with titanium nitride to offer greater performance. Other iron tips can be made of chrome vanadium, suitable for those non-ferrous materials such as plastic and aluminum.
Lubricating and cooling the tips is advisable to avoid breakage and overheating during use. Then there are the wood drill bits, which are less universal than the iron drill bits but guarantee more precise results.
The wood drill bits have a special propeller that discharges the shavings very well, which the bits do not do for iron. As a result, the wood tips also avoid burns that can instead occur in the iron points due to the swirling rotation of wooden materials.
The wood drills also allow you to reduce the risk of a breakout at the exit and avoid chipping. Specific tips are available for each type of material that allows you to work at your best and obtain the desired result.
Clamp
The clamp must be chosen according to the piece to be clamped. For example, the pole clamp is lighter, more manageable, and more fragile.
To obtain greater solidity, it is necessary to choose an industrial clamp, heavier and more suitable for frequent and demanding punctures. Make the final choice based on the jaw’s width, height, and opening capacity.
Spindle
The spindle ensures the tightening of the cylindrical tips; it is a widely used component. However, the key spindle is more difficult to tighten. As a result, its use is more limited; for this reason, it is slowly disappearing for the benefit of the self-locking spindle, which is much more manageable and easy to tighten. The self-locking chuck can be nylon (more fragile) or industrial (more robust and resistant).
The best drill presses to buy
Below is a selection of the best drill press models recommended for performance and durability, with prices and main features.
- Features a 2.3A induction motor, an 8-inch swing, and a 2-inch spindle travel
- Includes a 1/2-inch keyed chuck and onboard key storage
- Operates at 5 different speeds: 740, 1100, 1530, 2100, or 3140 RPM
- Features a 5-amp induction motor, a 12-inch swing, and a 3-1/8-inch spindle travel
- Adjust the mechanical variable speed anywhere from 580 to 3200 RPM
- Digital speed readout displays current RPM of the machine for maximum precision
- POWERFUL 6.2 AMP INDUCTION MOTOR—Power through wood, metal, and other materials
- 5-SPEED SYSTEM—Take advantage of 5 speeds from 610 to 2800 RPM for different material...
- LASER ALIGNMENT SYSTEM—Precisely execute drilling maneuvers
- Features a 2.3A induction motor, an 8-inch swing, and a 2-inch spindle travel
- Includes a 1/2-inch keyed chuck and onboard key storage
- Operates at 5 different speeds: 750, 1100, 1500, 2100, or 3200 RPM
- Features a 5-amp induction motor, a 10-inch swing, and a 2-inch spindle travel
- Adjust the mechanical variable speed anywhere from 530 to 3100 RPM
- Digital speed readout displays current RPM of the machine for maximum precision
- Variable-speed system drives motor from 530 to 3,100 RPM
- 10" x 16-1/8" cast iron base fits neatly on work benches with limited space
- Oversized, ergonomic knobs provide ease of use and maximum control
- Premium Home Improvement Tools: Perfect for straight or angled drilling; drilling on the...
- Sturdy Woodworking Tools: Attaches to all 3/8" & 1/2" cordless drills; it also includes a...
- Multiple Angle Settings: Angle readout for setting drilling angles to 45°, 60°, 75°,...
- POWERFUL INDUCTION MOTOR: CSA Certification, 3/4HP 6.0-Amp motor, 2-inch spindle travel,...
- 5 SPEEDS: Our drill press operates at 5 different speeds 650/1100/1700/2300/3100 RPM. You...
- 45-DEGREE TILTED WORKTABLE: Bevel 45 degrees and built-in LED lights combine to ensure...
- 8-INCH DRILL PRESS: CSA listed, 120VAC, 2.3 Amp induction motor, 1/2-inch keyed chuck,...
- HEAVY DUTY MATERIAL: Unlikes other drill press uses iron work table and base, the work...
- BEVERLY WORK TABLE: The heavy-duty cast iron work table can bevel 45 degrees left and...
- 5/8in. chuck capacity with 1in. maximum drilling capacity
- 3 1/4in. vertical stroke
- 13in. swing adds versatility
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