I have set up many workshops over the years and the tool I always install first is a floor standing drill press.
This way I know that drilling accuracy is taken care of and that I have a fixed drilling station in my shop where I can get the work done.
After testing many models, I have put together a list of the best floor drill presses to help you find the right tool for your needs.
In a hurry? The best floor drill press is the JET J-2500 15 Inch Drill Press. This drill press outperformed all the other models in most of my tests. It is powerful, versatile and built to last a long time. Drilling metal of various thickness presented no problems at all. The J-2500 was quieter and smoother than any of the other models.
Contents
- 1 Quick Verdict: Here are the Best Floor Standing Drill Presses For Metal And Wood!
- 2 Best Floor Drill Press Reviews
- 2.1 1. JET J-2500 Floor Drill Press – #1 Best Overall
- 2.2 2. Shop Fox W1848 Floor Standing Drill Press – Best Versatility
- 2.3 3.WEN 4227T 17-Inch Floor Standing Drill Press – Best Value
- 2.4 4. Grizzly G0779-23 Heavy Duty Drill Press – Best Quality
- 2.5 5. JET JDP-20 MF Floor Drill Press – Most Powerful
- 2.6 6. General International 13 Inch Floor Mounted Drill Press – Best Budget Buy
- 2.7 7. Powermatic PM2800B 18-Inch Drill Press – Also Consider
- 3 How to Choose the Best Floor Standing Drill Press for Metal and Wood. My Buying Guide.
- 4 Factors to Consider
- 5 Picking the Best Drill Press for the Job
- 6 Final Thoughts
Quick Verdict: Here are the Best Floor Standing Drill Presses For Metal And Wood!
Table could not be displayed.Best Floor Drill Press Reviews
- #1 Best Overall – JET J-2500 Floor Drill Press
- Best Quality – Grizzly Industrial G0799-23
- Best Versatility – Shop Fox W1848 Floor standing Drill Press
- Best Value – WEN 4227T Floor drill press
- Most Powerful – JET JDP-20MF Floor Standing Drill Press
- Best Budget Buy – General International 13-Inch Floor Mounted Drill
- Also Consider – Powermatic PM 2800B
1. JET J-2500 Floor Drill Press – #1 Best Overall
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In my search for the best floor standing drill press, the JET J-2500 floor drill press came out tops for a variety of reasons.
This is one of the most versatile and powerful floor drill presses I’ve used. This 3/4 HP machine has the muscle to drill through metal and hardwoods with ease. The 45 degree left and right tilting head provides a lot of flexibility for angled drilling operations.
I also appreciate the 16 speed pulley system which lets you fine tune the RPM range from a slow 200 all the way up to 3630 RPM.
What I Liked:
What I Didn’t Like:
Overall, the Jet J-2500 is a powerful and full-featured floor drill press ready to take on your toughest drilling jobs with precision and muscle. This machine would be right at home in either a professional woodworking shop or your home workshop.
The build quality is of a high enough standard to provide years of steady service while maintaining accuracy and performance. There are a few minor things I would change like a bigger custom work table, but the overall experience with this drill press was pleasant, and I never had the feeling that it will let me down. Do I think it is worth the money? Yes, absolutely.
My Rating: 4.6/5
2. Shop Fox W1848 Floor Standing Drill Press – Best Versatility
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The Shop Fox W1848 is a great choice for anyone who plans to subject their drill press to frequent heavy duty use. With its rugged steel construction and 3/4 HP motor, this machine is built for punishment.
In my testing, the W1848 powered through multiple holes in 1/2″ steel plate without even flinching. It has ample power for larger diameter bits and tougher materials. The dual pulley system provides a good speed range from 250 to 3050 RPM.
While I wish the range went a bit lower for larger bits, it’s suitable for most tasks. With 12 settings, you can fine tune the speed well enough for most jobs.
What I Liked:
What I Didn’t LikeThis is definitely a good drill press to add to your workshop. It feels solid even when drilling through thicker metal. It was designed to be an all round machine and I found that it performs most of the functions rather well.
The Shop Fox is well priced, making it good value for what you get. Drill bit changes are easy and changing the drilling speed didn’t present any problems either. I like the fact that the work table can swivel 90 degrees, but the table size is a bit of an issue for me.
Although I’ve had an issue in the past with customer service, it could have been an isolated issue and it would definitely not put me off from buying this drill press.
My Rating: 4.5/5
3.WEN 4227T 17-Inch Floor Standing Drill Press – Best Value
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As a more budget-friendly option, the Wen 4227T floor drill press delivers good capabilities considering its affordable price point. With a 3/4 HP motor, it provides ample power for most common drilling tasks.
The mechanical variable speed control allows you to dial in speeds from 180 up to 3150 RPM. While the range isn’t as wide as pricier models, it’s still suitable for both metal and wood drilling.
The rack and pinion height adjustment makes it easy to position the table height and the generous 14 X 14 inch table gives you plenty of support for your workpieces.
What I liked:
What I didn’t like:
In testing, I found the Wen 4227T able to reliably drill holes up to 1/2″ in mild steel with only moderate effort. It powered through pine 2×4 test pieces without any issues. The quill has 3-1/8 inches of travel so you can drill holes around 2-1/2″ deep in a single pass.
While it doesn’t have some of the bells and whistles of more expensive drill presses, the Wen 4227T includes the key features most DIYers will need.
The cast iron worktable and column have a cheaper feel and finish compared to higher end models. However, for hobbyists and home shops on a budget, it delivers good functionality and performance for the price.
My Rating: 4.2/5
4. Grizzly G0779-23 Heavy Duty Drill Press – Best Quality
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The Grizzly G0779-23 is a beast! It has all the power you can ever want and more. This drill press is built for heavy duty use and it shows when testing it. Its 2 HP motor provides a powerful kick that immediately lets you know that this machine means business.
This model is probably at the top end of most budgets, but if you are looking for a good quality machine that can take the punishment of daily heavy duty work, then the Grizzly is the tool for you.
The functionality is amazing, from the gear operation to the table positions, everything seems to be just that bit above the rest. This drill press definitely deserves the best quality badge!
I just love the work table on this model as it allows you so many different options when working on projects.
What I Liked:
What I Didn’t Like:
Quality and power are the two words that come to mind when reviewing this drill press. There is no denying that this is an expensive machine, but you get what you pay for. In my opinion it is not overpriced and does deliver on all the promises the manufacturer make.
The G0779-23 is extremely well built making it suitable for professional shops that need a reliable, heavy duty drill press that can take the punishment and still perform a wide range of tasks.
The oversized worktable on this model really sets it apart by providing plenty of support for your workpieces. Having a spacious work area makes drill press operation more enjoyable and safer in my opinion.
The Grizzly G0779 weighs a ton and moving this beast around your shop will take planning and possibly a helper.
My Rating: 4.6/5
5. JET JDP-20 MF Floor Drill Press – Most Powerful
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The JET JDP-20MF is another model from this manufacturer that just works really, really well. It has the power and the features to be a great all-round drill for the home workshop.
Although it does not have the same power capabilities as the Grizzly, I have decided to give it the most powerful award, as the Grizzly is more aimed at the industrial market and not really in the price range of the average woodworker or DIYer.
For the normal day to day operation in a home workshop, this model has more than enough power to get the job done.
The work table is large enough for me and feels really solid when drilling. There have been complaints about the depth stop on some previous models, but this one seems to be working fine.
The maximum chuck size is 0.75 Inches and the speed range is from 150 to 4200 RPM from the 12 speed pulley system.
What I Liked:
What I Didn’t Like:
For a good combination of power, versatility and value, the JET JDP-20MF floor drill press fits the bill nicely. With a 1 HP motor, it packs ample power for larger diameter holes and tough materials like steel and hardwood.
This drill press wood be the ideal fit for the serious hobbyist or DIYer because of the all round value you get for your money. It is built well enough to meet all the demands of a home workshop.
There are a few things I would improve on if I owned this model, but nothing that would deter me from buying it. The belt tension under heavy torque, at low speed could be better, but other than that I can’t really fault the JDP-20MF.
My Rating: 4.3/5
6. General International 13 Inch Floor Mounted Drill Press – Best Budget Buy
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The price of this drill press is probably the main attraction and I’m not saying that it is a bad drill press, far from it to be honest.
For an affordable and basic floor mounted drill press, General International’s 13 inch model provides good value. With a 3/4 HP motor, this drill press is not suited for heavy duty metalwork, but it will handle most woodworking tasks in the home workshop with ease.
This machine has a very good speed range, 16 speeds from 260 to 4220 RPM. That is not bad for a tool in this price range and probably better than a lot of higher end models.
Most of the components are cast iron, giving it a much sturdier feel than the majority of budget models. The laser guide is bright and works well, making it really easy to line up your workpiece and start the hole on the precise spot.
The General International has 2-3/4 inches of quill travel enabling holes about 2 inches deep in a single pass. The adjustable table tilts up to 45 degrees providing some nice flexibility for angled drilling work.
What I Liked:
What I Didn’t Like:
The General International provides very good value for money and deserve the best budget buy tag. You get a lot of drill press for your money, making this an ideal fit for the home workshop or for the beginner just starting out.
The overall quality of the components are better than what I expected, giving this model a really solid feel. Where a lot of budget models use cast Zinc components, the General International uses cast iron.
I was a bit sceptical at first, but after testing this drill press I have to admit that I was wrong. It does what it has to do, and that is drilling holes. It does it good too!
If you are looking for a budget friendly machine, I would recommend this one.
My Rating: 4.1/5
7. Powermatic PM2800B 18-Inch Drill Press – Also Consider
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In terms of performance and precision, the Powermatic PM2800B really stands in a class of its own. It shows in every aspect that Powermatic put a lot of thought and engineering into this top shelf machine.
The PM2800B is built like a tank and includes features usually only found on industrial grade drill presses. The 1 HP motor provides ample power while the mechanical variable speed control allows for precise adjustment of RPMs without the need for changing belts.
I have included this machine for those that want to spend a bit more to get a high quality drill press. It is priced a bit higher than most of the models featured in this article, but the Powermatic PM200B is definitely worth it.
One of the great innovative features on this model is that the handles can be reversed to operate the drill from both sides which is a great advantage when working at awkward angles.
What I Liked:
What I Didn’t Like:
I really like the Powermatic PM2800B. It is maybe over budget for most DIYers, but I would definitely recommend it if you have the money to spend. In testing it preformed to all expectations with no let downs whatsoever.
All of the controls and adjustments have a very smooth, high end feel demonstrating excellent craftsmanship. Powermatic took the time to get all the little details right on this one. With 6 inches of quill travel, you can drill deep holes in a single pass.
The adjustable fence and adjustable stop is a great addition to this model. You set the material, stop it in place and you can do can do precise repetitive work without any worries.
The cross-hair laser system makes it very easy to see exactly where the drill is going to enter the wood, but bumping against the drill can make the laser jump around.
The PM2800B is hard to beat in terms of power, precision, and feel. If your budget allows, it’s absolutely worth the premium for a high end floor drill press of this calibre.
My Rating: 4.5/5
How to Choose the Best Floor Standing Drill Press for Metal and Wood. My Buying Guide.
I’ve used my fair share of drill presses over the past 30 years. When you need to drill holes perfectly straight and true through metal, wood, or other materials on a frequent basis, a drill press is a must-have tool. Floor standing models are ideal when you’re working with larger workpieces or need maximum stability. The key is picking the right drill press for the types of jobs you need it for. Here’s my guide on choosing the best floor standing drill press whether you’re drilling metal or wood.
Factors to Consider
When evaluating a drill press purchase, there are a number of features to take into account based on how you plan to use the tool. Thinking through these elements will help you select the right drill press to meet your needs. You should also read our article on how to use a drill press.
Power and Speed Settings
The horsepower rating gives you an idea of the drill’s power. More powerful motors are better able to handle frequent use with larger bits or drilling through hard materials like metal. For metalworking, I’d recommend looking for a 12 to 15 amp motor which provides sufficient torque. For woodworking, a 10 to 12 amp motor typically offers ample strength. Variable speed control allows you to match the RPM to the material and bit size, optimizing drilling performance. Look for a drill press that offers a wide speed range, like 200 to 3600 RPM.
In my shop, I use a 15 amp JET drill press with a speed range of 140 to 3050 RPM which handles everything I need for metalworking and woodworking. The variable speed control really lets me fine tune the RPM for the task at hand.
Drill Press Depth
Consider how much depth capacity you need for your projects. The distance from the chuck to the support column determines the maximum thickness of material you can drill through. For metalworking in particular, you’ll want a drill press with at least 10 inches of depth capacity. For woodworking, 5 inches of travel is usually sufficient.
I made the mistake of buying a compact drill press once that only had 4 inches of depth capacity. I was constantly having to flip over thicker workpieces to finish drilling through them. Now I make sure to use my full size drill press with 10 inches of quill travel for any project over 2 inches thick.
Drill Press Table Size
The size of the drill press table is another important factor, as it provides support for your workpieces. Larger tables give you more flexibility in terms of the size of material you can work with. Look for a table size of at least 20 by 20 inches. The table should also be easy to adjust up and down and able to lock securely in position.
One handy tip I’ve learned is to place a larger sheet of plywood on top of the table when I need even more support for a big workpiece. Just be sure to clamp the plywood down firmly.
Chuck Size and Type
The chuck on the drill press is what holds the bit or other cutting accessories in place. For metalworking, I’d recommend looking for a drill press with a chuck size of at least 3/4 inches. This allows you to use larger bits when needed. Keyed chucks are preferred for metalworking, as they grip the shank of the bit more securely than keyless models. For woodworking, a 1/2 inch keyless chuck is usually sufficient.
In my metal shop, I have a drill press with a 1 inch keyed chuck. That really comes in handy when I need to drill larger diameter holes in steel brackets or angles.
Quill Travel
The quill travel determines the maximum depth you can drill in a single pass. For many applications, 5 inches of quill travel would be sufficient. But if you’re doing a lot of deep hole drilling, look for a drill press with at least 8 inches of quill travel. The more you can drill in one pass, the less time it takes to drill through thicker materials.
There have been times I’ve had to drill 6 inch deep holes in a piece of sheet metal for a railing job. With only 5 inches of travel, I’d have had to stop and raise the table halfway through. So now I use an industrial drill press with 8 inches of travel to power through in one go.
Stability
Given the forces involved in drilling, you want a drill press that’s stable and resistant to vibration. Heavier floor standing models generally offer more stability than smaller benchtop units. Look for a floor drill press with a weight of at least 150 pounds to keep it planted firmly. The head and motor assembly should also have significant weight and a wide base. Dual slide bars add further rigidity.
I learned this lesson when a lighter weight drill press I bought started shaking violently when drilling through thick aluminium plate. I replaced it with a 275 pound floor standing model with a weighted head, and it’s been smooth drilling ever since.
Accessories
There are a number of handy accessories available that can expand the functionality of your drill press. A fence allows you to ensure holes are placed accurately at specific distances. A depth stop lets you drill repeatable holes to consistent depths. A laser guides you in lining up the perfect position. And you can find mortising attachments useful for woodworking. Consider accessories that match how you work.
Recently I added a fence with built in depth stops to my shop’s drill press, and it’s been a game changer for improving my efficiency and precision when drilling multiples holes in regular patterns. I wish I had gotten one years ago.
| Purpose | Power | Speed Range | Depth Capacity | Table Size | Chuck Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Working | 12-15 Amp | 200-3600 RPM | 8 Inches | 20X20 Inches | 3/4 – 1 Inch |
| Wood Working | 10-12 Amp | 500-3000 RPM | 5+ Inches | 20X20 Inches | 1/2 – 3/4 Inch |
| Home Use | 10 Amp | 500-3000 RPM | 5 Inches | 16X16 Inches | 1/2 Inch |
| Precision Work | 10 Amp+ | 300-3000 RPM | 5+ Inches | 20X20 Inches | 1/2- 1 Inch |
Picking the Best Drill Press for the Job
When it comes to choosing the right floor standing drill press, it mainly comes down to considering your typical workload. Here are my recommendations:
For Metalworking
If you’re drilling lots of metal, you want a heavy duty drill press built for high torque and powerful performance. Look for a 15 amp motor, variable speed control with a low RPM of around 200, larger 3/4 to 1 inch chuck, generous 12+ inch depth capacity and solid construction. Power and precision are key for metal.
In my metal shop, I use a high end 17″ JET drill press that handles everything from drilling steel brackets to boring holes in angle iron with ease. It was a significant investment but worth it for daily metal fabrication work.
For Woodworking
For woodworking, you can get away with a slightly less powerful floor drill press in the 10 to 12 amp range. The emphasis should be on smooth and variable speed capability, sufficient depth capacity for your projects, and a larger table to support sizeable workpieces. A mortising attachment can also come in handy for wood drilling applications.
For Home Use
If you just need a drill press for occasional home projects, a 10 amp floor standing model should have ample power. Look for one with around 5 inches of quill travel, a 3/4 inch chuck, and smooth variable speed control in the 500 to 3000 RPM range. The emphasis should be on precision and versatility for general purposes.
I have a small Wen 10″ drill press like this in my home garage for those DIY projects – it tackles everything from drilling dog holes in wood to boring holes in tile for anchors. Not the heaviest duty but perfect for home use and can’t beat the price.
For Precision Work
For precision drilling applications where accuracy is critical, you want a drill press with minimal runout and vibration. Look for ones with top end bearings, polished welds, and precision mailed gears. Adding accessories like a fence, depth stop, and laser can take your precision to the next level. These are great for machinists or engineering work.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re outfitting a metal or wood shop, building a home workshop, or seeking a precision metalworking machine, choosing the right floor standing drill press involves considering your needs in terms of power, speed range, depth capacity, stability, and features. Be realistic about the work you will tackle, and research models that are purpose-built for those applications. With the right drill press, you can achieve new levels of efficiency and accuracy with hole boring and drilling tasks.
