Mediocre floor standing drill presses for woodworking have four things in common. They have low potency motors, less number of speed, limited speed range, and they’re bulky and unstable.
These are not the kind of power tools to buy. What you need is the best floor standing drill press that provides the speed and power needed to do woodwork with ease.
The three main picks below are floor-standing models. A separate BILT HARD benchtop alternative follows for readers who already have a suitable workbench; it should not be confused with a floor model.
3 Floor Standing Drill Presses for Woodworking
1. JET JDP-17 17″ Drill Press
Featuring a 3/4 HP motor, 16 speed range, and spindle speeds between 200 and 3,500 RPM, JET JDP-17, is the deal for woodworkers who need drill presses that have the power to get woodworking job done fast.
Going for under $1,500, JET JDP-17 features a tough build that can stand up even to the toughest woodworking project.
Powered by a 3/4 HP motor, which outputs a maximum spindle speed of 3,500 RPM, JET JDP-17 lets you drill even the toughest type of wood in your collection and do so in the shortest time possible.
With a spacious workbench and a reliable and convenient depth stop, JET JDP-17 makes it easy for you to perform repeated drilling with ease and do so with much precision.
JET JDP-17 features a 5-inch spindle travel, which allows you to work on large planks of wood. So if you ever plan on taking bigger woodworking projects and you need a drill press that can help you get the job done, you might want to consider investing in this one.
Pros
- Features a one-hand belt tension that makes it easy for you to change the spindle speed that ranges between 210 to 3,500 RMP
- JET JDP-17 doesn’t create when it’s in use
- Can handle large woodworking projects because it has a bigger workable
- Include LED lights for clear visibility
Cons
- Some people may find the white pilot light annoying especially since it stays ON continuously when plugged in.
2. Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Floor Drill Press
Shop Fox designed W1848 oscillating floor drill press for durability and performance. And it’s currently one of the best options for woodworking. Shop Fox W1848 weighs 122 pounds and has a stable base that stands up to light and heavy-duty woodwork projects.
With a 3/4 HP motor and a maximum speed of 3050 RPM, this oscillating drill press can work on both soft and extremely hard wood.
The 3/4 HP motor of this drill press can produce a maximum speed of 3050 RPM. In addition, it has a spindle travel of 3-1/4 inches, making it a suitable option that you can use for a wide variety of applications.
We recommend this drill press for woodworking because it has 12-speed settings, which allow you to work with a higher level of precision depending on the type of project that you’re working on.
Shop Fox designed W1848 is for those who need a drill press that can do more than one task. Thanks to its multipurpose functionality, you can use it as a drill press or as a sanding machine.
Switching between the two operations is easy and the working mechanism is of course different depending on what you would like to do.
We wish Shop Fox W1848 had a laser alignment. Of course, that isn’t a mandatory feature to have in a drill pres. However, it helps to ensure higher level of accuracy for every woodworking project, especially in the case where you can’t afford to miss any detail.
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Pros
- Excellent speed range of between 250 and 3050 RPM
- Variable speed allows you to do your woodwork with utmost accuracy
- Includes an oscillating spindle that you can use for contour sanding
- The table has a decent surface area for work
Cons
- Doesn’t feature built-in light
3. WEN 4227T 17-Inch Floor Standing Drill Press
The WEN 4227T is a full-size floor-standing drill press for a workshop with dedicated space. Its 13-amp motor and 4-3/4-inch spindle travel make it a relevant option for drilling thicker wooden workpieces.
The belt-drive system provides 12 selectable speeds. To change speed, stop the machine, disconnect power and reposition the belts as instructed in the manual; this is not a continuously variable-speed model with an adjustment lever. Choose a speed appropriate to the bit and material.
The 14-by-14-inch cast-iron worktable tilts up to 45 degrees in either direction. A 5/8-inch chuck, work light and alignment laser are included. Secure the machine and clamp workpieces according to the manual rather than holding them by hand.
Pros
- True floor-standing format with a 17-inch swing
- 4-3/4-inch spindle travel for deeper holes
- Large tilting worktable, work light and alignment laser
Cons
- Heavy machine requiring dedicated space and help during setup
- Belt changes require the machine to be stopped; no on-the-fly variable-speed lever
Benchtop alternative: BILT HARD 10-Inch 12-Speed Drill Press
This compact BILT HARD model mounts to a sturdy workbench or suitable stand. It is not a floor-standing drill press and is included separately for smaller bench-mounted woodworking setups.
The 10-inch swing, 5/8-inch keyed chuck and 12 belt-selected speeds suit a range of bench drilling tasks. The current listing specifies a 6.2-amp motor and speeds from 350 to 3,000 RPM. Mount it securely through the base holes and disconnect power before changing the belt position.
The listed kit includes T-track accessories for building a drill-press table. Check the current kit contents before ordering.
Pros
- Compact benchtop format
- 12 belt-selected speeds
- Base has mounting holes for a workbench or stand
Cons
- Requires a separate sturdy mounting surface
- Smaller swing and capacity than the floor models above
Choose between the three floor-standing models and the separate bench-mounted alternative according to your workspace, required swing and spindle travel. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for mounting, belt-speed changes and safe clamping before starting a woodwork project. These drill-press safety rules provide a general starting point.