Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

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With more stability and space, floor standing drill presses have leg extensions that are not available on their benchtop counterparts. These legs give the unit extra height to allow for taller materials to be worked on. Drill press legs can also be adjusted for leveling the pedals and table to fit your individual needs.

In this article, we will be reviewing some of the pros and cons of some of the best floor drill presses for the money so that you can easily find one that suits you.

Now to be honest – here are some problems common to Floor Drill Press:

  • Low powered motors that provide too little power for both big and small wood projects are a nightmare. But some hardworking users know this all too well and it doesn’t have to be that way.
  • Although the tool has a range of speeds, some are limiting. Due to the speed issue, it’s not great for different types of wood
  • Weight is either a big problem or not. Drill presses may come as too heavy and bulky, while others are too lightweight and tends to be unstable. Finding a perfect mix of weight and stability will often be hard, but few floor drill press achieve it.

As you search for the best floor drill for the money, you’ll find that there are many options and dozens of different brands. From economy- to professional-grade, there are so many options that it can be hard to make a decision. 

You must be sure that you’re getting enough drilling power for your woodworking projects, otherwise you could regret not having made the investment.

Don’t have time To read? No worries!
Below are our top picks for your convenience

Dweller Power’s Best Pick

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money JET JDP-20MF 20-Inch Floor Drill Press
Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

JET JDP-20MF 20-Inch Floor Drill Press

  • Variable Speed – 12 Speed 1-1/2 Hp Motor
  • 150 to 4,200 RPM
  • Three-nut Locking Feature
  • Quick-Set Bolt
  • 90-Degree Tilt

Runner Up

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money Shop Fox W1848 Floor Standing Drill Press
Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

Shop Fox W1848 Floor Standing Drill Press

  • Motor: 3/4 HP, 110V
  • Range of speeds: 250-3050 RPM
  • Swing: 13-3/4″
  • Drill chuck: 1/64″-5/8″
  • Arbor: JT-33

2nd Runner Up

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money WEN 4225 Variable Speed Drill Press
Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

WEN 4225 Variable Speed Drill Press

  • 4-Inch Stroke
  • Variable Speed
  • 280 to 3,300 RPM
  • Precision Laser
  • 90-Degree Til

When To Use A Floor Drill Press?

The floor drill is an extremely versatile machine capable of performing a wide array of jobs around the shop. Floor drills are primarily used to bore cylindrical holes, but they are much more than just a big drill. They also bore, countersink, ream and tap.

Featuring high precision and versatility, a floor drill press is an excellent choice for your shop.

Floor drill presses are powered by foot pedals. That means you don’t need to deal with cords, plugs, or extensions cords. Drill presses even come with convenient handles and a stabilized work surface so you can drill without worry. It makes them the perfect tool for woodshops, factories and production lines.


What Size of Floor Drill Press Do I buy?

If you need to drill very large holes, the steadiness of the set up can be compromised. With a very large diameter workpiece you will also have to consider the swing of the press.

Drill presses come in a variety of sizes, depending on the amount of material you want to drill through. Each diameter or capacity has a different name based on the number of inches it can drill through and the amount of other features. For example, a drill press with a 12-inch hole is usually called an 18-inch drill.

Standard drill presses are 16, 18 or 20 inches.


10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

#1 JET JDP-20MF 20-Inch Floor Drill Press – Best Floor Drill Press for the Money

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money JET JDP-20MF 20-Inch Floor Drill Press
Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

Features:

  • VARIABLE-SPEED: 1-1/2 HP motor has 12 speeds from 150 to 4,200 RPM.
  • REPETITION: 1/2″-diameter external depth stop, with three-nut locking feature, allows for fast adjustments.
  • ACCURACY: Depth stop has a quick-set bolt for fast, accurate adjustments.
  • VISIBILITY: Built-in worklight (bulb not included) provides additional visibility.
  • VERSATILITY: Quick-release crank-operated worktable can tilt +/- 45°
This floor drill press gives you the power and control you want with a 1.5 hp motor that will drive through a wide range of materials quickly and accurately. And if you need to take it a little slower, the 4200 RPM can help you get the precision result you want.
Dweller Power

Review:

Work on your home projects like a professional with this JET drill press, which can handle nearly any job. The powerful 1.5-horsepower motor gives you 12 speeds to choose from, and the table tilts up to 45 degrees on the left and right sides. The work light comes in handy when working at night, and the depth stop makes adjustments a snap. It’s a perfect addition to your workshop.

The JET floor drill press is for professional use and is not cheap. It sits between a benchtop model and a floor standing one and does not compromise on quality. 

It has been designed especially for drilling in sizes of 10 inches or larger. The 20 inch wide swing makes it ideal for really large jobs. It’s heavy duty, but not too difficult to lift and move around if you need to.

You may wonder however, how at a steep price this became the #1 Best Floor Drill Press for the money. Well the answer is simple, for the investment of it – the features it can provide outclassed all the others in our list below. It’s definitely the Best Floor Drill Press for the money investment wise.

Pros

  • Best Floor Drill Press for the Money
  • Oscillating Spindle: from drilling to sanding
  • Powerful Motor
  • 12 Speed Settings
  • 20-Inch Swing

Pros

  • Settings may confuse beginners
  • Investment Needed

2 Shop Fox W1848 Floor Standing Drill Press – Runner Up

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money Shop Fox W1848 Floor Standing Drill Press
Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

Features:

  • Motor: 3/4 HP, 110V
  • Swing: 13-3/4″
  • Drill chuck: 1/64″-5/8″
  • Arbor: JT-33

Range of speeds: 250-3050 RPM

Review:

To decide on an appropriate floor standing drill press, you will need to examine its operational power. 

The Shop Fox W1848 floor standing drill press I like has a 3/4-horsepower motor that is able to deliver speeds of 250 to 3050 RPM at 12 distinct settings. It’s quite powerful when working through different pieces of wooden planks of various densities and thicknesses.

This drill press is a gem among thousands of modern floor drill presses. It has a wide surface, tilting angles, and improved dust extraction allowing the power tool to deliver a smooth operation of wood drilling operation over long periods of time.

With all its special features, the Shop Fox W1848 definitely deserves the 2nd spot for our best floor drill press for the money review.

Pros:

  • Oscillating Spindle: from drilling to sanding
  • 90-degrees Workbench Left and Right Tilt
  • 12 Speed from 250 to 3050 RPM
  • Comfortable Table Size
  • ¾ Horsepower Motor

Cons:

  • Too large for small spaces
  • No light

#3 WEN 4225 Variable Speed Drill Press – 2nd Runner Up

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money WEN 4225 Variable Speed Drill Press
Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

Features:

  • 4-inch stroke makes drilling through 4×4 boards easier than ever
  • Adjust the variable speed anywhere from 280 RPM to 3300 RPM
  • Includes a built-in work light, a precision laser, a 5/8 inch chuck, and onboard chuck key storage
  • 12-inch by 12-inch cast iron work table pivots up to 45 degrees in both directions

Review:

This is perfect if you are one to move around or work in different areas of the workplace. It’s also going to be great for cutting through 4 x 4 lumber. Not only will the work light help you see your project better, but it also has a 45-degree work table that swings to the left and right. This makes this model easier to use for your projects. You can lay boards flat on there and cut them easily without having to deal with a beveled table.

The JET floor drill press can speed up from 250 RPM to 3,300 RPM, giving users the option of high-torque applications or lighter work. There are both LED and pilot lights as well as a work light which makes the unit adept for night use as well as well lit areas. It is also about 2/3 lighter than other models on the market which makes it extremely portable for all professionals. It also has a stronger motor than similar models, too.

Get a reason to feel like you’re winning when you work with our table saw. It far outpaces the competition, giving you the variable speeds you need, as well as a tilting table and lever speeds.

An ideal choice for hobbyists and beginners, this is one of the best floor drill press for the money which is lightweight with a small swing, which make it easy to move around the garage. It allows you to work on small-diameter metal projects. The machine itself is fairly light and can be moved by one person for setup and storage.

Pros:

  • Highly Affordable
  • Good Motor Power
  • Good Torque
  • Tilting Table
  • Quick Speed Adjustment

Cons:

  • Smaller Swing Model
  • Not made for bigger projects

#4 JET J-2500 Floor Standing Drill Press

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money JET J-2500 Floor Standing Drill Press
Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

Features:

  • Work table tilts 45°.
  • GREATER PRECISION AND ACCURACY: Enclosed spidle assembly is supported by four permanently-lubricated ball bearings.
  • TELESCOPING SPINDLE GUARD: Extend the guard as much as needed.
  • 3-1/8″ stroke for deep hole applications.
  • 5/8″ drill chuck and arbor

Review:

The Jet J-2500 Floor Standing Drill Press is an air drill press that boasts a powerful 3/4 HP motor that produces speeds between 200 and 3630 RPM in 16 speeds. This lets woodworkers adapt the drilling speed to the application at hand. 

It also saves power and thus improves the quality of your finished drilling job.

The cast iron construction of this floor drill press makes it one of the best. Some people may think it’s too heavy, but we love its weightiness. It has a tilting workbench that tilts to allow you to drill from different angles. 

This is a great addition that is not available with most drill presses. It is also equipped with large-sized table clamps which facilitate better and faster results. Another great pick for our best floor drill press for the money.

Pros:

  • Easy Assembly
  • ¾ Horsepower Motor
  • Motor Speed Range from 200 RPM to 3630 RPM
  • Cast iron head design
  • 16 spindle speeds
  • Large quill for drilling accuracy
  • 45 degree flexible bench tilt
  • 2-year warranty

Cons:

  • Very Heavy
  • Limited only to woodworking projects

#5 WEN 4214 Floor Standing Drill Press

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money WEN 4214 Floor Standing Drill Press
Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

Features:

  • Includes: drill press, class II 1mW laser, 1/2″ keyed chuck & key, tools for assembly
  • Adjust between five speeds from 600 to 3100 RPM
  • Spindle travel of 2-1/2” with easy to read, locking linear depth stop for accurate and repeatable drilling operations
  • Durable 3.2-amp motor provides ample torque and power
  • 7-5/8 x 7-5/8″ cast iron worktable features rack & pinion height adjustment and bevels up to 45 degrees left & right

Review:

When you use your floor standing drill press to drill different materials, it’s essential to own a drill press that has adjustable speeds. 

They let you control the speed easily so it’s easier to drill through different materials. If you don’t have this feature, you’ll spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to make the drill press work for you.

WEN 4210 is a 42-inch floor drill press that has a variable speed at speeds ranging from 580 RPM up to 3200 RPM. It features an LED light, digital readout and infinitely variable speed lever that makes it suitable for both hobbyists and professionals.

Although this drill press is quite advanced compared to many other models, the controls are much simpler. Compared to other models, you can see that this machine comes with an improved design and it is also easy to use. Designed for usability in mind, the Wen 4210 is another great addition to our best floor drill press for the money review.

In spite of the top notch drilling power provided by this model, most users who have already used it said that working on it is a lot easier than what they initially expected.

Pros:

  • Variable Speed with Regulating Lever
  • Digital Speed Readout
  • Infinite Speed Options from 580 to 3200 RPM
  • Easy Assembly
  • 2/3 Horsepower Motor
  • Precision x-/Pattern Laser
  • 45 Degree Tilting Bench

Cons:

  • Can’t be used for longer hours
  • Noisy

#6 JET JDP-17 716300 Floor Standing Drill Press

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money JET JDP-17 716300 Floor Standing Drill Press
Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

Features:

  • ACCOMMODATE ANY PROJECT: 14″ x 19″ precision-ground work table features twin T-slot grooves and four table slots.
  • RAPID SPEED CHANGES: One-handed belt tensioning.
  • SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE: Power switch features a safety key and large, paddle-style off button.
  • REPEAT DRILLING: Integrated depth stop makes repetitive drilling quick and easy.
  • STABILITY: Large cast iron base

Review:

The JET JDP-17 716300 is a 1-Phase, 115/230V floor standing drill press that can be used as a horizontal or vertical drill press. It is designed for carrying out drilling operations on metal, plastic, ceramic and wood. 

Thanks to its high power output (3/4 HP), this tool removes material in any situation at a maximum of 3500 RPM, all with minimal noise emission. The Spindle Lock feature allows rapid & precise tool changes.

This drill press comes with a lot of features that make it one of the best floor standing drill presses for the money in the market today. 

The pedestal base gives me great stability – we’re confident that it won’t shake or wobble when working on large and heavy projects. It also provides us with a large 360-degree swivel table where we can complete various wood-based projects without any difficulty.

Pros:

  • Quiet
  • One-handed belt tension
  • 16 speed variations from 210 RPM to 3500 RPM
  • Depth Stop Feature
  • ¾ Horsepower Motor
  • Integrated LED light

Cons:

  • Vibration Heavy
  • Price can be an issue

#7 Powermatic PM2800B Floor Standing Drill Press

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money Powermatic PM2800B Floor Standing Drill Press
Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

Features:

  • SPEED RANGE: 250 to 3,000 RPM
  • SPINDLE TRAVEL: 6″
  • COLUMN DIAMETER: 3″
  • SWING: 18″
  • QUILL DIAMETER: 2.6″
  • TABLE SIZE (L x W): 20-1/4″ x 14″

Review:

If you want to ensure that you’re getting plenty of power to finish your woodworking projects, you need this drill press. It gives you more power than a floor-standing drill press for a lower price, making it an ideal candidate for the best floor drill press for the money.

The PM2800B drill press gives woodworkers power they need to complete their projects like a pro. In addition, the press features a speed of 250 to 3,000 RPM , providing woodworkers with the drilling power they need for their projects.

Most models are equipped with some sort of power up/power down system. However, this one is sold without a switch. Which means you would need to plug it or unplug it to turn it on or off.

It has a mechanical variable speed which gives the user the possibility to adopt infinite speed variations without the need for belt changes. This function offers a wonderful experience and comfort.

Pros:

  • 1 Horsepower
  • Mechanical Variable Speed with
  • Digital Readout for Infinite Speed Settings
  • Press Handle Installation on either side
  • Laser Guide

Cons:

  • Assembly is tedious and hard
  • No power Switch, it’s always in operation when plugged

#8 JET J-2550 Floor Standing Drill Press

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money JET J-2550 Floor Standing Drill Press for
Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

Features:

  • ACCURACY: 2-1/4″ quill allows greater accuracy.
  • SUPPORT: Large 3-5/8″ diameter ground steel column and cast iron head.
  • VERSATILITY: Production table tilts up to 45°.
  • PRECISION: Accurate depth stop for precice hole depths.
  • SAFETY: Telescoping safety spindle guard.

Review:

We have found the top floor drill presses and others that really put out the power you need to do your work. It only makes sense to go with a reliable brand when choosing a floor press. With all the brands we looked at, it was clear that JET is by far the best choice for those who demand the most power and longevity.

This JET floor-standing drill press has a quill travel of 6 inches and 36 inches between centers. Comes with an extremely powerful 3/4 HP motor means that there is less vibration and user fatigue

It’s one of the most powerful machines on the market. And with an impressive speed range of 15-4,200 RPM, it offers versatility and fast drilling. And 12 speeds let you switch it up based on the material at hand.

It’s a high-quality, powerful drill press that can be used for all kinds of works and jobs, including those that need a lot of down pressure. It has a large table surface that makes it easy to work on large pieces of wood without having to worry about the material slipping off because of the vibrations.

Pros:

  • Fast Belt Change
  • Bench Tilts 45 degrees for drilling in angles
  • Ball-bearing spindle
  • ¾ Horsepower
  • Motor upto 4,200 RPM

Cons:

  • Too Bulky – takes lots of space
  • Heavy

#9 Sunex 5000A Floor Standing Drill Press

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money Sunex 5000A Floor Standing Drill Press
Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

Features:

  • Heavy duty 3/4 HP motor with 5/8″ drill capacity
  • Convenient belt tension lever for quick speed transition
  • Table rotates 360° and pivots from 0° to 45 ° on each side with indicator to facilitate setting
  • UL and CSA Listed
  • Replacement 5/8″ chuck and key – RS5000A87- fits standard MT2 arbor

Review:

This Sunex 5000a floor standing drill press features an electric brake and closed loop motor construction that is powerful enough to complete a wide range of drilling tasks.

The Sunex 5000A floor standing drill press has a powerful electric motor that delivers 3/4 HP and a top speed of 3850 RPM. If what you’re looking for is above average then this is the press for you.

Get the best of both worlds with this drill press that offers a wide speed range and 12 speeds. This floor drill press is essential for the garage workshop or craftsman. Without this tool, woodworking projects would be impossible.

For all it’s worth and all said about it in the reviews, a lot are vouching for this product being one of the best floor drill presses for the money.

Pros:

  • 5/8″ Drill Capacity
  • Belt Tension Lever
  • 360 Degree Rotation
  • 0 – 45 Degree Tilt

Cons:

  • Assembly is hard and not for a single person
  • Takes lots of space

#10 JET J-A5816 Floor Standing Drill Press

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money JET J-A5816 Floor Standing Drill Press
Top 10 Best Floor Drill Press For The Money

Features:

  • Speeds from 400 to 5000 RPM
  • Handwheel adjustment sets the speeds
  • Large 2-1/4″ quill allows greater accuracy
  • 3″ Column diameter for maximum head support
  • Full bearing support on quill for maximum spindle stiffness

Review:

The general availability of a floor standing drill press helps you focus on completing your project within the stipulated timeframe. Trying to find your next woodworking project is very tough without the right tools. The more power you have in your woodworking tools, the easier it is to complete your project.

Jet’s 1 HP motor has an impressive output of 5,000 RPM that is more powerful than most drill-presses in the market. It is also built to last, thanks to its durable components.

Despite its heavy weight, that you would need 2 people to assemble it, it’s an amazing piece of engineering. 

Think about it, it has a variable speed mechanism that lets you adapt the drilling speed to any type of wood. How cool is that?

Pros:

  • Large 2-1/4″ Quill
  • 6-inch quill depth
  • Variable Speed Mechanism allows infinite speed settings
  • Powerful 1 HP motor
  • Anti-Vibration Mechanism

Cons:

  • Assembly is hard and not for a single person
  • Takes away a huge space

Dweller Power’s Buying Guide

Dweller Power’s Buying Guide

Before you buy the best floor drill press for the money, make sure that the machine you select will do the job. Because of this, you may discover that a lower-powered machine is sufficient for your needs. You can save a lot of money if you’re careful with your selection.

Fortunately, there’s a wide range of low-cost drill presses to choose from (that don’t deliver as much power as portable and benchtop models).

Strong Torque

If you plan on using the best floor drill press for the money for your woodworking needs, you need to make sure you are getting top-quality in order to avoid buyer’s remorse. And this comes with looking for a floor drill press with a strong torque

2/3 HP is sufficient drilling power for your floor press; it’s not necessary to purchase a high-horsepower press in order to drill concrete.

Number of Speeds

We suggest looking for models with at least ten speeds or a variable speed mechanism that offers infinite speed choices. The more speeds, the more you have to adapt the drilling speed to the work you’re doing.

Furthermore, you want to make sure changing speeds is quick and easy for these kinds of machines. You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of drilling while trying to figure things out, right?

Wide Speed Range

A wider speed range is another feature that woodworkers should look for in their next floor standing drill press. The reason behind this is that it gives woodworkers the possibility to work on various materials and drill with different drill bits.

Also, you’ll need to increase the speed of the drill at some point. The last thing you want is to be stuck in the middle of drilling while trying to figure out how to switch speeds.

On the other hand, if the shop that you work at is big and has a lot of jobs rolling in as well as a solid demand for your work then by all means go for a floor drill press with higher maximum RPMs and an even higher speed range.

Deep Spindle Travel

These floor drill presses are able to provide you with the ultimate drilling experience. These machines are not only powerful but also user-friendly and portable. They provide high precision, power, and productivity during your woodworking project.

In the end, the length of the drill bit and travel of spindle is what will determine how long your hole will be. Therefore if you want to be sure your hole will be the right size, we would suggest using a floor drill with 3″-6″ of spindle length.

Chuck Size

The chuck is the mechanism on which you’ll put drill bits. As a rule, the bigger the chuck, the bigger the drill bits you’ll be able to use.

It’s commonly believed that a smaller bit is better. Some say a smaller bit and drill press combination are perfect for drilling small holes for hardware or other projects, but this isn’t always the case. If you own several woodworking bits, always make sure your chuck has adequate capacity to accommodate them. If you don’t use certain types of bits often, consider purchasing a separate drill press for that specific type. You’ll get the efficiency you love from your floor drill press.

Convenient Work Area

A floor drill press has a worktable made of cast iron and is solidly anchored to the floor for stability. The worktable should be wide enough, tall enough, and wide enough for several people or other workers to operate the drill. Moreover, it should have appropriate safety guards from the bits.

When woodworking, your drill press may be used at different angles or positions. Without the ability to tilt, your arms will take on extra pressure and you’ll have difficulty completing projects. Check for a tilting workbench before making your decision!

Led Lighting

When you need to drill a precise hole but your workshop is dark, your options are either a light that’s too dim or one that throws more light around than you need. And then there are all those shadows.

A well-lit floor drill press is a must. If it includes lighting at all, make sure that the light will illuminate properly. Most floor standing drill presses ship without a case. It’s preferable to buy one that comes with a case; some have a light connector but no built-in lamp. A cheap, LED light can easily be installed on these.

Weight & Portability

For woodworkers, both professional and amateur, the measurement of a floor drill press’s bulkiness versus its drilling power is a big problem. If it isn’t powerful enough, you have to work hard to drill something but if it’s too bulky it can be very difficult to fit it into your workshop. When you are shopping for one there are 3 things to consider

A floor drill press is a piece of woodworking equipment that raises and lowers the headstock so that the operator can drill holes in pieces of wood. The bigger and heavier the floor drill press is, the more electricity it needs. The bigger the machine is, the larger its workshop footprint. And if you live in a small apartment, don’t even think about assembling something big and heavy.

It’s better to have a drill press that’s powerful and able to sustain loads than one that’s weak and fragile. In other words, get the biggest one you can afford!

Warranty

The standing floor drill press you purchased from our list isn’t exactly cheap, but they are the best floor drill press for the money for multiple reasons. One such reason is that all of them have a warranty program that provides much needed peace of mind.

Are you looking for a floor drill press with a 1-year or 2-year warranty? After searching through countless specifications, we were able to carefully choose the best floor drill presses that match your budget and business needs.


Floor Drill Press Maintenance

Mounting

Safety is more than just obeying rules and wearing proper gear; it’s about finding solutions to problems with the right technique and the right tools. For example, if you cannot put the drill press on a nearby table or workbench, screwing it to the floor will help maximize stability. You can even use a piece of plywood when you drill in brick or concrete. It will prevent the drill bits from damaging the floor.

But in general here’s how you can mount a floor drill press:

  • Drill pilot holes at each end of the cut you want to make. 
  • Using a hammer drill and a masonry bit, drill down through the pilot hole.). 
  • Then use a larger bit and a bevel to cut around your outline.
  • Place the base over your marks on the door. 
  • Position it level with one hand and mark the hole points. 
  • You can attach your screws by hand if you have a drill driver.

Moving

There are two ways on how to move a drill press.

On way in order to move it, you can unplug and unscrew the table first. Then take out all the screws and remove the head. After that, stand it up vertically, and lay something, such as a blanket or a wood board, across its top. Lastly, get someone to help you carry it out of your shop.

Some will just carry the drill press in its head and find one or two guys to help them carry it. So you can definitely have more weight depending on how you break it down and transport it.

It’s best to consider your environment and choose whichever method works out better for you.

Cleaning

It’s a pretty simple process. Just keep an eye on the shaving build-up in your floor standing drill press and you should be good. Here’s how:

  • Find a clean cloth and apply it with WD-40
  • Remove sawdust with the cloth applied with WD-40
  • Your floor drill press will be as good as new!

Benchtop vs. Floor Drill Presses

When deciding between the two, you might find it difficult to decide which one you should buy. There are many people who think they know all there is about both types of drill presses, but it’s important to remember that the truth is often different from what we read on Google.

Some say that floor-standing drill presses are better than benchtop ones because of their durability and build quality, while others say that benchtop ones are better because they are easier to move and service.

Below is a guide to their pros and cons:

#1 Benchtop Drill Press

A Benchtop drill press is a stationary power tool used for drilling holes in wood and metal. There are two installation methods. You can install it on top of a workbench, or you can install it free-standing. The choice will depend on your personal needs.

Pros

  • Price: Bench Top Drill Presses are cheaper, this is because on average, The more professional features a floor drill press comes with, the more it will cost you This is because floor drill press models tend to come with more professional features than their counterparts.
  • Compact & Portable: The light weight of the benchtop means it’s easy to move around the workshop. The smaller size also means that if you have limited space, you can easily stow it away when it’s not in use.
  • Ideal for Small Jobs: Created for quick small projects

Cons

  • Less Powerful: When choosing a drill press, the first aspect you should consider is the drilling machine’s features. Although benchtop drill presses tend to have smaller motors than floor standing models, they can achieve similar speeds and torque.
  • Smaller Swing: Limited in work pieces or material it can handle

#2 Floor Drill Presses

Floor drill presses don’t need to be mounted on a workbench or milling machine. You can easily move them and use them in the floor by their handles. You insert the screw into a hole in the press and then you adjust it so you can drill a hole in the place that you want. Their extra long arms allow you to drill holes that are much deeper than most bench top models can reach.

Pros

  • Power: Floor drill presses are designed to work in large production environments. They are ideal for bigger jobs that would take a standard drill press much longer to complete.
  • Precise: Floor drill presses are more powerful than bench-top drill presses. They offer higher capacity for heavier workpieces and allow increased flexibility with height adjustment and table rotation.
  • Wider Swings: For working with large materials, like tree trunks or fence boards, a larger drill press with a wider work swing is more convenient.
  • Flexible: Floor drill presses are multi-spindle machines that allow the user to drill a number of holes in one setup.

Cons

  • Expensive: While floor models will cost more, they offer many prestigious features such as larger motors and professional designs.
  • Large & Heavy: If you need a drill press that you can take from job site to job site, a floor drill press is obviously not your ideal choice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a floor standing drill press good for?

Drill presses are the best woodworking machines to use for making holes in wood when you need a lot of precision. Drilling manually is not as precise and your accuracy will be all over the place.

These machines are not only used for their functionality of drilling holes, but also sanding, grinding, measuring, and cutting wood.

How big should a floor standing drill press for woodworking applications be?

In many industries, the size of a machine is used as a marker of its power. Although this is no longer the case in caliper drilling machines, an assumption of conventional design still holds true.

We recommend purchasing the biggest drill that will fit in your available workshop space. It seems logical that if you have more room, you should buy a bigger tool. But some people do not have unlimited space in their workshop. Therefore, we recommend measuring your available space and then choosing drill size based on that measurement.

What types of woods can I use a floor standing drill press on?

A top-quality floor standing drill press is an important part of every well stocked workshop. If you plan to do a lot of drilling through wood, ensure that you choose a machine with a workbench and quill travel capable of handling large diameter bits.

With various functions such as to help you control the drilling depth and diameter of the hole prior to drilling, providing built-in accessories that include a clamp, drill bits and a wide range of drill bits, it ensures better working efficiency.

So it’s compatible with any type of wood, but it works great with those that are up to very thick.

How difficult are floor standing drill presses to assemble?

This might not be true if you could hire someone to assemble it, but for the most part, it’s just one of those things that you have to do yourself. While assembling a floor standing drill press can be fun for some people, others may find the process to be quite stressful.

In fact, there are endless numbers of situations in which a floor standing drill press becomes overwhelming to someone who does not enjoy building furniture or assembling workout equipment.

We don’t think this is a big issue. You just have to assemble it and leave it there. However, if you’re experiencing problems, the manual will likely help.

Do floor standing drill presses need additional accessories to work?

All you need is a drill. No fancy accessories are required to use this floor standing drill press. Just place the machine on any flat surface, install the correct drill bit you need, and you’re ready to start drilling.

How to read spindle speed on a floor drill press?

The material that you are cutting also plays a large role in RPM. Carbide-tipped bits are designed to last longer while cutting through tougher materials like concrete, stone, and bricks. Furthermore, when you purchase drill bits, they will typically come with an rpm specification rating on the package.

Modern drill presses have a digital RPM indicator, which makes it very easy to determine the spindle speed.

What is ‘spindle depth’?

The spindle is the rotating member on which the chuck is mounted to. The cast iron body of the spindle has an internal mechanism that shifts along with it as it spins, allowing it to move a set length when using a drill press.

The rule applies here, as well. The bigger the bit you use, the longer and deeper your hole will be. We also told you to make sure you know how deep your holes should be before committing to a drill press purchase.

Best Floor Drill Press for the Money
Final Thoughts

What kind of floor drill press are you going for? Are you going with a heavy-duty machine or a simpler model with adequate speed and power? What features are important to you? 

Hopefully, one of the models we reviewed is a good fit. We know this little guide should help you search through all your possibilities until you’ve found exactly what you need.

The decision ultimately rests in your hands. You know the exact features you need, as well as what your budget is for an item like this. With all features presented, we hope you can soon have the best floor drill press for the money in your workshed.

This ends our Review Series for the Best Floor Drill Press for the Money.

Please remember that you don’t need the most expensive demolition hammer drills. You need the right one, with that you need the Best Floor Drill Press for the Money for all your demolition and construction projects.

We want you to be sure of what you plan to get, please don’t hesitate to ask for advice. 

Love our Best Floor Drill Press for the Money Review? Leave a comment or drop us an email at [email protected], and we will get back to you as fast as possible!


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