Best Stationary Drill Presses of 2026
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Stationary drill presses are an essential tool for any workshop or DIY enthusiast. These powerful machines are designed to accurately and efficiently drill holes in a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and plastic. With their sturdy construction and adjustable speed settings, stationary drill presses can handle even the toughest drilling tasks with ease. They come in a range of sizes and styles to suit different needs and budgets, from compact benchtop models to larger floor-standing units. Whether you're a professional woodworker or a hobbyist looking to tackle your next DIY project, a stationary drill press is a must-have tool for your toolbox.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Stationary Drill Presses
Klutch 16-Speed Drill Press
The Klutch Drill Press is designed to enhance your woodworking and metalworking projects. With a 5/8-inch chuck capacity, you can easily accommodate a variety of drill bits, allowing for a maximum drilling depth of one inch. Its 3 1/4-inch vertical stroke provides ample room for drilling deeper materials. The 13-inch swing ensures you can tackle larger workpieces with ease, while the 45-degree table tilt lets you drill at different angles, making it easier to achieve precise results. This versatility is perfect for both hobbyists and professionals looking to improve their craft.
WEN 4227T Drill Press
The WEN 4227T Drill Press has a 4-3/4-inch spindle travel that makes drilling through 4x4 boards much easier. Its three-spindle design provides twelve speeds that range from 150 to 3150 RPM, making it perfect for metal, hardwood, softwood, plastic and more. The high torque performance ensures that the drill press can handle tough materials. Additionally, the 14-inch by 14-inch cast iron work table can pivot up to 45 degrees in both directions, making it versatile and convenient for various drilling projects. It measures 25 by 12 by 63 inches and weighs 214 pounds.
JET JDP-15B Drill Press
The JET JDP-15B Drill Press is a powerful and versatile benchtop drill press. With its 3/4HP motor, it offers plenty of power for drilling through various materials. The spindle travels a full 3-1/8" with one revolution of the handle, allowing for precise and accurate drilling. The large 12-1/2" x 17" work table features twin T-slot grooves and four table slots, providing ample space for any project. The XACTA-X Precision Laser System makes it easy to identify the drill center, ensuring precise drilling every time. Additionally, the built-in LED work light provides direct lighting, reducing shadows and enhancing visibility for intricate applications. The JET JDP-15B also features a one-handed belt tensioning system, allowing for rapid speed changes. This drill press is a reliable and convenient tool for any workshop or job site.
JET JDP-20MF, 20-Inch Floor Drill Press
The JET JDP-20MF is a versatile stationary drill press with a 1-1/2 HP motor and 12 speeds ranging from 150 to 4,200 RPM. It features a 1/2"-diameter external depth stop with a three-nut locking feature for quick adjustments, as well as smooth operation supported by high-quality ball bearings. The built-in work lamp illuminates your workspace, and the quick-release crank-operated worktable can tilt plus /- 45° for ideal positioning.
JET JDP-20S 20-Inch Smart Drill Press
The JET Smart Drill Press offers a large 20-inch swing and 6-inch spindle travel, giving you plenty of room for bigger projects and precise drilling depth. Its powerful 1.5-HP brushless motor ensures steady torque, so your work stays consistent and smooth. You’ll appreciate the accurate alignment tools like crosshair lasers and LED lighting, which help you line up your work perfectly every time. Plus, the 20" by 14" cast iron table tilts 90 degrees to either side, making angled drilling easier and more versatile for various tasks. This drill press is designed to make your work more efficient and accurate.
Shop Fox W1680-17" Floor Model Drill Press
The Shop Fox W1680-17" Floor Model Drill Press is a stationary drill press with a powerful 1 HP, 110V motor that provides efficient drilling performance. With a swing of 17", this drill press has a wide drilling capacity, while the drill chuck with a range of 1/16" to 5/8" allows for versatile drilling applications. The JT-3 arbor ensures accurate and stable drilling, and the spindle travel of 3-1/4" provides enough depth for most drilling operations.
Powermatic PM2800B Drill Press
The Powermatic PM2800B is an 18-inch drill press with a 1 HP motor and a mechanical variable speed system that ranges from 250 to 3,000 RPM. It features laser guides for pinpoint positioning, an oversize cast iron base for added stability, and a reversible handle for comfortable work conditions. Its adjustable fence system allows for rapid alignment of stock and provides a perfect 90-degree relationship to the table.
JET IDP-22 Industrial Drill Press
The JET IDP-22 Industrial Drill Press features a 1-1/2 HP motor with 12 variable speeds from 175 to 3,050 RPM, a 1/2"-diameter external depth stop with a quick-set bolt for fast and accurate adjustments, a built-in LED worklight for added visibility, and a quick-release crank-operated worktable that can tilt up to +/- 45°. This versatile drill press is perfect for industrial use and offers easy adjustments and enhanced visibility to ensure precision and efficiency.
Rikon 12" Variable Speed Drill Press
The Rikon Variable Speed Drill is equipped with a strong 3/4 HP motor that delivers enough power for various drilling tasks, making your work more efficient. Its adjustable speed settings allow you to control the drilling speed, giving you precision for different materials. The built-in LED light brightens your work area, helping you see clearly even in dimly lit spaces. Additionally, the laser x-y guides help you line up your drilling spots accurately, reducing mistakes and improving your results. The digital LED display shows your current settings clearly, so you can easily monitor and adjust as needed for better control.
Powermatic PM2815FS 15-Inch Floor Drill Press
The Powermatic Floor Drill Press offers reliable power with its gear-driven system that ensures steady torque for working with various materials. You’ll appreciate the 5-inch quill travel, which lets you handle bigger projects without hassle. The drill press also features an electronic variable speed, allowing you to adjust the RPM from 250 to 3000, so you can match the speed to your specific task. Plus, the cast iron work table is highly flexible—it tilts 90 degrees left and right and can rotate fully around the column, giving you great control and positioning for your workpieces. These features make the Powermatic Floor Drill Press a versatile and convenient tool for your workshop.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the 3 types of drill presses?
There are three main types of drill presses: floor drilling press, benchtop drilling press, and radial drilling press. Each type has its own advantages and suitability for different applications. The floor drilling press is larger and more powerful, while the benchtop drilling press is more compact and portable. The radial drilling press has a movable arm for adjusting angles and positions.
2. Why use a drill press instead of a drill?
A drill press offers more power and precision compared to a handheld drill. It eliminates the reliance on arm strength and steadiness of the operator, resulting in accurate and clean holes. The stationary design of a drill press allows for better control and stability while drilling, making it ideal for precise and repetitive drilling tasks.
3. Is it worth having a drill press?
Yes, a drill press is a versatile and accurate tool that every workshop should have. It simplifies various drilling tasks such as hinge cup recesses, mortises, wood plugs, and pilot holes. The power and precision of a drill press make it an essential tool for woodworking and other applications where accuracy is important.
4. What is the difference between a drill press and a radial drill press?
The main difference between a drill press and a radial drill press lies in their design. A drill press has a fixed drilling platform and spindle, while a radial drill press has a movable arm that can be adjusted to different angles and positions. This adjustability makes the radial drill press more versatile for drilling in various directions.
5. What is a good horsepower for a drill press?
For a benchtop drill press, a horsepower rating between 1/2 and 3/4 is ideal. This rating ensures that the drill press is powerful enough to handle various drilling tasks while still being reasonably sized and weighted for placement on a workbench.
6. What are the two general types of upright drill presses?
The two general types of upright drill presses are round column and box column. Round column upright presses have a circular column frame and are suitable for cutting lighter materials. On the other hand, box column upright presses are sturdier and more heavy-duty, making them suitable for working with stronger materials.
During our stationary drill press research, we found 24 stationary drill press products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,565 customer reviews through our big data system to write the stationary drill presses list. We found that most customers choose stationary drill presses with an average price of $1,326.70.
The stationary drill presses are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of stationary drill presses, including Klutch, WEN, Jet, Shop Fox, Powermatic. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 2,044 consumers with an average rating of 4.5.
Harry Stack owns a small hardware store, his career landed him a depth of knowledge in categories such as tools, equipment, machinery and hardware. In his spare time, he usually repairs furniture, safes and appliances, and he knows how to make simple repairs to plumbing or electrical fixtures. His hobbies also include woodworking and fishing.