In professional and home workshops, there are some tools that you can’t do without. For individuals that work with metals, a drill press is one of such tools. Drill presses are of different types and grades. There are models that are made for plastics, some for wood, and others for metal. A drill press for metal is expected to be powerful and resilient enough to drill multiple holes on metals in quick and precise manner.
If you’re looking to buy a drill press anytime soon, here’s our pick of 9 best drill press for metals. You can also refer our Buyer’s Guide section for more information about the things you must consider while buying one.
Top 9 Best Drill Press for Metals
1. Powermatic PM2800B
This is specifically for individuals that want a drill press that offers incredible simplicity. It combines the sort of mechanical elegance you can only find in Powermatic with the kind of simplicity you cannot find anywhere else. It is so easy to use and demonstrate Powermatic’s commitment to design, innovation and quality.
The Powermatic PM2800B 1792800B Drill Press is ideal for those that perform tough metal drilling tasks regularly. It helps users to achieve smooth precision drilling whenever it is used. It has all the important features any powerful drill press needs: mechanical variable speed, 6-inch of quill travel with one revolution of the handle, Fence system adjustment, and a digital RPM readout that let you optimize the spindle speed to the application. It is by all means one of the best drill presses for metal and you should consider it if you can afford it.
2. Jet 354170/jdp-20MF
This is a professional-grade drill press that can make a great addition to your workshop. It features a 1.5 HP motor with 12 speeds from 150 to 4,200RPM. This will allow users to drill precise holes on either wood or metal. Other important features that make it an impressive option includes the hinged metal belt and pulley cover and 1/2-inch diameter external positive depth stop with three-nut locking feature.
Another thing that makes the Jet 354170/jdp-20MF 20-inch Floor Drill Press a great power tool is the larger than average table. It makes it a perfect drill press for large scale projects. It also has the capacity to rotate as much as 45-degrees to the left or right. With large speed range and multiple speed options, this can make drilling easier and faster.
3. SKIL 3320-01
This may be advertised more as a drill press for woodwork but it can be the real deal for anyone that works with metal too. It is a powerful tool with X2 2-Beam laser that helps to ensure that you obtain precise hole alignment. It also has a depth alignment system that guarantees consistent performance every time. With a 3.2 amp motor and a cast iron base, you should know you have a top quality and powerful tool in your hand. It also feature a full 10 inch swing and allow users to choose between five drill speeds (750 – 3,050RPM).
The SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-inch Drill Press has a rating of 120V and features 1/2-Inch Keyed Chuck and 0 – 450 Left and Right Tilting Work Surface. This is a versatile tool that will impress you if you need a drill press that can perform the tough job of drilling on metals and other materials but does not cost so much. It comes with full one year warranty and 30 day money back guarantee.
4. WEN 4208
If you are looking for a powerful but small drill press to add to your workshop, then this sleek little drill is for you. It is one of the best options for individuals that are looking for a little powerful drill for home workshop or something to add flexibility in a professional workshop and limit space on the work bench. It can drill up to 1/2-inch hole in heavy-duty cast iron. Thanks to its powerful induction motor that features ball bearing construction, it can provide smooth and balanced performance at high speeds.
The WEN 4208 features Five-Speed Operation; Locking Depth Stops; 1/2-inch Keyed Chuck; On-Board Key Storage; 1/3 HP Induction Motor; 2-inch Spindle Travel; and Beveling Work Table. Another reason you may want to buy this drill press is the price. It is one of the cheapest powerful drill press ever made.
5. Jet 716000 JWDP-12
This is one of those powerful and reliable products that you will never find issues adding to your workshop. Considering that this is somewhat affordable, it holds its place among the most valuable drill presses in the market. From the sturdy cast iron base with x-shaped xacta laser to a full 3-1/8-inch of accurate spindle travel, this will offer you the sort of performance you can be proud of.
The Jet 716000 JWDP-12 Drill Press is also highly regarded for its quite performance. It is a steady tool, and the 12 variable speed and a powerful 1/2 hp induction motor can take almost anything you throw at it. It is unlikely that you will find any fault with this accurate and steady drill press.
6. Jet 35430 IDP-22
This is a heavy duty industrial drill press that is known for accuracy, stability and versatility. It is one of those valuable tools that can actually change the way professionals rate and complete drilling tasks on metals. A really heavy tool, this drill press is made of top quality materials. Asides from the spindle guard, there is no piece of plastic on this. The result is 364 lbs weight that actually helps to make this one of the steadiest tools around.
The Jet 35430 IDP-22 Industrial Drill Press can perform just about any task you throw at it. It has a 1.5 HP motor, excellent size speed range, LED work light, and safety guard. As a durable drill press, it also come with Jet’s industry-leading two year warranty. It is quite pricey but will give you so much value if you can afford it.
7. Shop Fox W1668
This is a standard bench-top drill press that can make a good addition to your workshop. It is a well-built tool that delivers enough power to create nice clean holes in different materials including metals. The ruggedly built parts and special design is among the selling points of this drill press. It looks very durable and can be trusted for reliable service for years.
The Shop Fox W1668 drill press is capable of 3/4-inch drilling in steel. This means it can handle most tasks you are likely to engage in. It also offers the ability to tilt the 90-degrees to left or right for versatile application. It is also an affordable drill press that performs better than most products within its price range.
8. ShopSeries RK7033
The ShopSeries are known for superior design and durability. This particular product is a reliable power tool that is easy to use. It can deliver precise drilling and will help users to drill clean holes in metals with enhanced speed and quality. It is perfect as a homeowner tool and can also be a valuable addition in a professional workshop.
The ShopSeries RK7033 Drill Press features variable speed control of 350 – 1200RPM, so you can easily get the correct speed required for different materials. It also has a LED light that improves precision and make working in different environments easier. On the downside, this product is heavy and not very stable. It is also difficult to adjust. It is a low-budget drill press and that reflects on the way it works and the quality of work it delivers. It comes with a limited two year warranty.
9. WEN 4214
This is one Drill Press that will let you to handle big jobs even in limited space. It can conveniently power through plastic, wood and metal, thanks to its variable speed (adjustable from 580 to 3,200RPM). There are several other features that set this drill press apart from regular ones on the market. They include 5 Amp induction Motor, digital LED speed display, locking depth stop, 5/8″ Keyed Chuck, Precision laser, 3-1/8″ spindle travel, X-pattern laser guide and included adjustable table roller extension.
The WEN 4214 is very easy to operate: it is even possible to adjust the speed while it is running. The table also tilt 45 degrees in either direction and it comes with the necessary tools to assemble it. This is also an affordable drill press and comes with two year warranty.
Buyer’s Guide
A drill press is an important tool in the workshop and buying one shouldn’t be approached carelessly. It is a significant investment that you have to make once in a while. Buying the right one will ensure that you don’t waste your money and come back to look for another few months after buying one. We have reviewed some of the very best options on the market but it is still important that you understand how to buy what you need. Actually, you don’t have to be told which of these products to buy. This part of the article is aimed at helping you figure out which one will be the best for you.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Drill Press
There are some important factors that normally determine how useful a particular product will turn out to be. You need to put such factors into consideration before purchasing any product. For drill press for metal, the factors you need to seriously consider are the following:
Your specific need
Firstly, you need to make an honest assessment of what you need. While a homeowner can buy a professional-grade drill press for home use, it is not advisable for a professional to buy a poor quality too for the workshop. You need to consider the materials you deal with most and how often you will work with the drill press. Buy the one that meets your specific need. The type of drill press you will buy (a bench-top model or floor sitting model) should also be determined by your specific need and how you prefer to work. Floor models are heavier and more powerful. They are often preferred by many that perform heavier metal jobs. Bench-top models, on the other hand, are mostly affordable and take up less space.
Motor Power
For the motor power of your drill press for metal, bigger is normally better. The motor power is expressed in Horse Power (HP) and you need to look out for models with higher HP. It often follows that the higher the HP, the higher the amount of torque the motor can create. This will not only determine the success of drilling different metal types but will also influence the speed you complete tasks.
Speed Range
Drill press makes holes by rotating and the speed range is an expression of the different speeds it can be made to rotate. This is normally measured in RPM. It is advisable to buy a drill press that has wide speed range because it can influence the number of different materials it can work with. When drilling a hot substance like most metals, the speed needs to be slower for the drill to exert all its power. Higher speed, however, is needed to make drilling of thin and weak materials faster.
Number of Speeds
Asides from the speed range, you also need to pay attention to the number of speeds a drill press allows. This is an expression of the number of preset speeds that are allowed by the drill press. It is often better to have a drill press with several preset speeds so that you can have different options of speed for any particular material. This will also make it easier to pick the perfect speed to complete a task faster and in a neat manner.
Drilling Capacity
This determine how large of a piece of metal you will be able to drill through with the drill press. The capacity you should look for should be determined by the type of materials you are going to work with.
Chuck Size
The chuck is the three-jawed clamp that tightens to hold the bit you are working on. Standard size chucks are always able to hold most sizes of bits but if you have a clear idea of the materials you work with mostly, you might as well consider the chuck size that can actually hold them before making a purchase.
Other Important Factors
There are some other important factors you must consider in addition to the ones discussed already. The build of the power tool for instance, must be considered too. This is what determines durability. The warranty given by the manufacturer is also important. Other factors like weight, work table and LED work light must be considered too.
Conclusion
While there are lots of drill press in the market, not all are ideal for metal works. Even among the ones that are classified as ideal for metal work may not be too good. Here, we have reviewed the best drill press on the market. We have also discussed how to determine which drill press is the right one for you. Consider your options carefully and buy with confidence.