Best Floor Drill Press Reviews
- Product Name:
- Price:
- Rating:
- DELTA 18-900L
- $$$
- SHOP FOX W1848
- $$
- JET J-2500
- $$
- WEN 4227
- $$
- POWERMATIC PM2800B
- $$$$
- DELTA 18-900L
- $$$
- SHOP FOX W1848
- $$
- JET J-2500
- $$
- WEN 4227
- $$
- POWERMATIC PM2800B
- $$$$
Good for
One of the biggest advantages of these tools is their stability. Despite the high-speed levels, they tend to stay as stable as possible. That also means the amount of vibrations is at a bare minimum most of the time which allows for a better experience and more precision.
Not recommended for
On top of that, if you’re on a tight budget, it’s probably better to go with something simpler but with similar features and capabilities. The reason for that is the fact that these tools aren’t cheap. Needless to say, there are some cheaper options out there, but most of those are not worth looking into due to the lack of features, quality, and consistency.
Top-Rated Floor Drill Press
Delta 18-900L – Editor’s Choice
When it comes to the design, there are plenty of things to talk about, especially when it comes to additional features. For example, this unit features a flexible LED work light which is designed to illuminate the work surface for better visibility. Even though it doesn’t sound relevant nor impressive, many professionals appreciate its existence. The work table is also worth mentioning as it’s slightly different from the others in this category. It is an oversized table with a patented design which bevels at a 90-degree angle both to the left and right. On top of that, it can tilt forward 0-48 degrees, features T-slots for clamping, and a removable center insert. As you can tell, it’s quite a versatile machine meaning it’s a great solution for professional purposes as well as occasional DIY endeavors. Twin lasers are also a neat addition as they project a bright red crosshair onto the table at the point of bit contact.
As far as downsides go, there are a few that need to be pointed out so that you know what to expect if you opt to purchase this particular model. The first thing most people complained about is the issue with belt tensioning. The auto-tensioning system works fine, but it doesn’t do enough. Therefore, you might end up investing in shorter belts to get better tension. The price is a bit on the premium side, but it’s a reasonable one nonetheless.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Shop Fox W1848
The design is pretty conventional, although there are a few points to be made. The most notable feature of this particular design is that it can be converted from drilling operations to sanding operations within seconds. On top of that, one doesn’t need any additional tools to fine-tune the unit as it features tool-free mechanisms. The overall height of this unit is 63 inches which is more than enough for plenty of drilling and sanding applications. The table also features a 2-inch dust port which allows you to connect a vac and extract debris and sawdust. Speaking of the table, it can tilt 90 degrees to both left and right. One can also move the table completely out of the way and utilize the base as one. The kit includes a 3-piece spindle sander with a mandrel.
The biggest complaint most people had is tied to the quality of the base. In simpler words, even though the materials used in production are sturdy and reliable, the base doesn’t seem that way. In fact, it looks quite fragile and vulnerable. It’s not a major issue per se, but it makes the drill look underwhelming and cheaply made. Some people complained about the packaging, but that’s more of an issue related to shipping companies than it is an error on the manufacturer’s side.
Shop Fox W1848
The design is pretty conventional, although there are a few points to be made. The most notable feature of this particular design is that it can be converted from drilling operations to sanding operations within seconds. On top of that, one doesn’t need any additional tools to fine-tune the unit as it features tool-free mechanisms. The overall height of this unit is 63 inches which is more than enough for plenty of drilling and sanding applications. The table also features a 2-inch dust port which allows you to connect a vac and extract debris and sawdust. Speaking of the table, it can tilt 90 degrees to both left and right. One can also move the table completely out of the way and utilize the base as one. The kit includes a 3-piece spindle sander with a mandrel.
The biggest complaint most people had is tied to the quality of the base. In simpler words, even though the materials used in production are sturdy and reliable, the base doesn’t seem that way. In fact, it looks quite fragile and vulnerable. It’s not a major issue per se, but it makes the drill look underwhelming and cheaply made. Some people complained about the packaging, but that’s more of an issue related to shipping companies than it is an error on the manufacturer’s side.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
JET J-2500
The materials used for the design are among the best and toughest we have covered thus far. The head is made of cast iron which guarantees longevity and stability. The overall weight of this unit is about 170 pounds meaning it has more than enough weight to ensure stable and consistent performance. The table tilts 45 degrees which are okay, but far from ideal. It’s not a bad feature per se, but the vast majority of other models come with a table that can pivot 90 degrees to both left and right. Therefore, while you can drill at an angle with this unit, it’s quite limited. The work table weight capacity is 44 pounds which is great if you’re planning on processing large workpieces.
As far as disadvantages go, there are a few things we would have liked seeing in this unit. For example, it doesn’t have a laser or any other function which would help alleviate the hassle with accuracy and tuning. On top of that, the chuck uses a somewhat obsolete size of key meaning you’ll probably have to buy a new chuck in case you lose the key. It does feature a conveniently positioned light, but it’s a typical socket instead of being LED compatible. It utilizes typical light bulbs that are up to 60W of power. While it’s not a shortcoming per se, the light situation would be much better if there were LEDs instead of obsolete incandescent bulbs.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
WEN 4227
The three-spindle design offers twelve speeds with a range of 180 to 2940 RPM. As you can tell, it is quite a versatile machine with more than enough power to tackle any tough project without breaking a sweat. On top of that, the design includes a precision laser which is great for sensitive applications that require high accuracy. The onboard key storage is a neat addition, but it’s not particularly useful due to the lack of capacity. The work table is quite spacious as it measures 14 by 14 inches. It is capable of pivoting up to 45 degrees both to the left and right. It is made of cast iron which guarantees reliability and most importantly – longevity. Thanks to the vast speed range, one can accommodate metal, hardwood, plastic, softwood, and etcetera. The 13-amp motor is a great solution if you’re planning on processing particularly tough materials.
The biggest upside of this particular model is the fact that it doesn’t have many downsides. It may sound impossible and peculiar, but it’s actually true. The only thing most people complained about is the poorly written manual and assembly instructions. Therefore, if you don’t have much experience when it comes to putting heavy-duty tools together, make sure to do some research before messing with your new tool. It’s essential that you put it together in a correct manner or else it becomes a massive safety hazard.
WEN 4227
The three-spindle design offers twelve speeds with a range of 180 to 2940 RPM. As you can tell, it is quite a versatile machine with more than enough power to tackle any tough project without breaking a sweat. On top of that, the design includes a precision laser which is great for sensitive applications that require high accuracy. The onboard key storage is a neat addition, but it’s not particularly useful due to the lack of capacity. The work table is quite spacious as it measures 14 by 14 inches. It is capable of pivoting up to 45 degrees both to the left and right. It is made of cast iron which guarantees reliability and most importantly – longevity. Thanks to the vast speed range, one can accommodate metal, hardwood, plastic, softwood, and etcetera. The 13-amp motor is a great solution if you’re planning on processing particularly tough materials.
The biggest upside of this particular model is the fact that it doesn’t have many downsides. It may sound impossible and peculiar, but it’s actually true. The only thing most people complained about is the poorly written manual and assembly instructions. Therefore, if you don’t have much experience when it comes to putting heavy-duty tools together, make sure to do some research before messing with your new tool. It’s essential that you put it together in a correct manner or else it becomes a massive safety hazard.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Powermatic PM2800B
The design of this unit is among the best we have covered thus far. Everything is neatly positioned and easily accessible. When it comes to additional features, there are quite a few that deserve to be mentioned. The most notable one is the LCD located on the top of the casing which is designed to display the current RPM. It may not seem like an impressive feature, but avid professionals appreciate it quite a bit. The work table features an adjustable fence which is perfectly positioned for rapid alignment of stock. That means you can process multiple pieces of material at the same time without having to adjust them one by one. The unit also features an adjustable material stop which makes repetitive actions much easier to cope with. When it comes to advantages, the biggest one is definitely the overall smoothness of performance. In other words, it’s an ideal tool for avid professionals as it offers quite a bit of versatility while remaining consistent and efficient.
On the other hand, there are a couple of things you should be aware of before you invest in this particular unit. While many people praise keyless chucks, they aren’t the best choice for these kinds of heavy duty tools as they can accidentally release the bit and break it. It’s not a common occurrence by any means, but it’s definitely a possibility. Furthermore, many people expected higher quality considering the premium price. While it’s definitely not a cheap piece of equipment, it’s quite affordable as far as we are concerned. There are a couple of shortcomings, but it’s nothing one can’t overcome in a matter of hours.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Quick Product Comparison
| Voltage | SPEED | WEIGHT | PRICE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Delta 18-900L | 120V | 170 - 3000 RPM | 240 lbs | $$$ | Check Price |
Shop Fox W1848 | 110V | 250 - 3050 RPM | 122 lbs | $$ | Check Price |
JET J-2500 | 115V | 200 - 3630 RPM | 167 lbs | $$ | Check Price |
WEN 4227 | 120V | 180 - 2940 RPM | 214 lbs | $$ | Check Price |
Powermatic PM2800B | 115V | 250 - 3000 RPM | 246 lbs | $$$$ | Check Price |
Before You Buy: How a Floor Drill Press Works?
Stability
Floor drill presses are known for being one of the most stable power drills out there. Most models are particularly stable because they are heavy. On top of that, the vast majority of drill bases are made of cast iron or other hard metals that guarantee stability and reliability.
The amount of vibrations is also significantly reduced in comparison to other types, especially handheld ones. If you’re looking for a stable power tool, a floor drill press is a right choice.
Versatility
One of the typical additional features of most floor drills is their capability to utilize a bit that allows the user to mount sandpaper. In other words, one can count on sanding applications as well as drilling with most of these models. On top of that, nearly every work table pivots to both sides for at least 45 degrees, but most commonly it is 90 degrees. That means you can drill or sand at an angle by simply adjusting a lever and without using any proprietary tools.
Usability
Even though these drills are quite versatile, most of them are recommended for heavy-duty projects. Therefore, if you’re a hobbyist and in need of a good drill, a floor press might be an overkill. On the other hand, if you’re an avid professional who utilizes these machines on a daily basis, it’s strongly recommended that you do some research and see whether or not it’s the thing you’re looking for.
Best Floor Drill Press – Buyer’s Guide
Power
The first thing you should be thinking about when buying one of these is the total amount of power it offers. While there’s no “perfect” value, there are some things you should avoid. For example, it’s probably a good idea to avoid any model that offers less than 3/4HP. In case you’re dealing with amps, we would recommend that you avoid getting anything below 8 or 9 amps as it can be considered underpowered. Now, that doesn’t mean that the models with less power are useless, but they certainly aren’t foreseen for heavy-duty projects. On top of that, the rule of thumb here is to go with slightly more power than you typically would need just to make sure that everything runs smoothly.
The Design
Many people think that this isn’t an important step as most units look quite similar to each other. However, there are some subtle differences you should be aware of in order to avoid bad things from happening.
The first thing you should be looking into is the overall weight of the unit. In case it’s particularly lightweight, there is a real possibility that it will struggle with stability.
The materials used in the design are also crucial. Quite a few models on the market consist of hard plastic, aluminum, and cast iron. While these materials aren’t necessarily bad, we would advise against purchasing a model with too many plastic parts.
Even though hard plastic is nothing like the typical plastic you see every day, it’s still not the ideal material for heavy-duty tools as it’s prone to wear and even decay.
The Price
Unlike most other drill presses on the market, this particular type tends to be quite expensive. Just like with any other major investment, you should be well-aware of the risks involved. On top of that, many people think that more expensive machines offer better quality, which usually isn’t the case at all. That’s why it’s important that you don’t judge a model by its price but instead by its features and capabilities. More often than not, the more expensive units come with better benefits regarding warranty conditions, quality control, and customer support.
Therefore, if you opt to buy a more affordable unit, you might not get as much support as you would have in case you’ve opted for an established brand. It all comes down to your budget. In case you’re on a limited one, make sure you look for quality instead of quantity. On the other hand, if you’re not struggling with the budget, aim for well-known brands that are already established and well-respected in the industry.
Variable Speed
This function is quite often overlooked by many users even though it’s more or less essential. In case you’re not familiar with it, the variable speed function offers you a vast array of settings that allow you to process different types of materials such as steel, wood, plastic, and etcetera. On the other hand, single-speed drills aren’t as proficient with different materials meaning they may underperform under certain conditions. The ideal solution would be a multi-speed motor, but if you’re not able to get it, a single-speed one isn’t as bad as one might think. There are some limits involved, but it’s nothing you can’t overcome quickly.
The conclusion
While it’s not easy to find a perfect model for yourself, there are a couple of methods you can use in order to reduce the risk of getting something that won’t meet your expectations. It’s important that you follow some of the instructions we have pointed out or else you might end up with a bad purchase.
As far as our recommended models go, we tried to cover the ones that already proved their consistency and quality. Take a moment and check our full reviews out in case you’re interested in a more in-depth analysis. However, if you don’t find them interesting enough, make sure to follow some of the tips and tricks from our buyer’s guide in case you decide to find one yourself. And remember, it’s not about the quantity and auxiliary features; it’s about efficiency, consistency, and smooth performance.
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