A benchtop drill press holds the bit square to the work and lets you set the hole depth and the spindle speed. For woodworking, the swing (the largest workpiece it can reach past the column), the speed range and the table size matter most.
The six presses below run from a compact 8-inch swing to a 13-inch swing. Sizes, motor figures and speeds come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these products ourselves. Always follow the manual for mounting, guards and operation.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Swing | Sets how far from the edge the hole can be |
| Speed range | Wider range suits both small bits and large bits |
| Table | Size, tilt and height adjustment hold the work |
| Chuck and travel | Chuck size and spindle travel set bit size and hole depth |
| Weight | Heavier presses are steadier and need a solid bench |
Specs at a Glance
| Press | Swing and motor | Speeds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEN 4206T | 8 in; 2.3 A | 5 speeds, 750 to 3200 RPM | 1/2 in chuck; 2 in travel; 6.5 x 6.5 in table, 45 degree bevel |
| SKIL DP9505-00 | 10 in; 6.2 A | 5 speeds, 610 to 2800 RPM | Laser guide; work light; depth stop; 45 degree tilt table |
| JET 716000 | 12 in; 1/2 HP, 5 A | 530 to 3100 RPM | Digital RPM readout; 5/8 in chuck; 85 lb; bolt to a bench |
| Klutch 13 in | 13 in; 3/4 HP, 4.6 A | 16 speeds, 220 to 3300 RPM | 5/8 in chuck; 3-3/8 in stroke; 11-3/4 in table; 83.2 lb |
| VEVOR 10 in | 10 in; 0.8 HP, 5 A | 530 to 3140 RPM | Digital readout; X-laser; LED light; 1/2 in chuck |
| VEVOR 12 in | 12 in; 1 HP, 6.2 A | 530 to 3140 RPM | Digital readout; X-laser; LED light; 84.3 lb |
The 6 Best Benchtop Drill Presses for Woodworking
1. WEN 8-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Drill Press (4206T)
A compact cast iron press with a 2.3 amp motor, an 8 inch swing and a 2 inch spindle travel. It runs at 750, 1100, 1500, 2100 or 3200 RPM, takes a 1/2 inch keyed chuck and has a 6.5 by 6.5 inch table that bevels 45 degrees each way. It stands 23 inches tall on a 7 by 11 inch base.
Suits: a small shop or a shelf-sized workbench. Strengths: a small footprint and five speeds. Weaknesses: an 8 inch swing and a small table. Skip it if you drill wide panels.
View WEN 8-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Drill Press 4206T on Amazon
2. SKIL 10-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Drill Press (DP9505-00)
A 10 inch press with a 6.2 amp induction motor, five speeds from 610 to 2800 RPM, a laser alignment system (Class II, 0.83 mW maker figure), an LED work light, an adjustable depth stop and a table that tilts 0 to 45 degrees left and right. The maker lists a 3 year limited warranty.
Suits: a first press with a laser guide. Strengths: a work light and a depth stop. Weaknesses: only five speeds. Skip it if you want a digital speed readout.
View SKIL 10-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Drill Press DP9505-00 on Amazon
3. JET 12-Inch Benchtop Drill Press (716000)
A 12 inch swing press with a 1/2 HP, 5 amp motor and a speed lever that changes spindle speed from 530 to 3,100 RPM while the motor runs, with a digital readout of the actual RPM. It has a 10 by 16-1/8 inch cast iron base, a 9-1/2 inch square cast iron table that tilts 45 degrees, 3-1/8 inch spindle travel, a 5/8 inch chuck and two lasers. It weighs 85 pounds and the maker says it must be bolted to a bench or stand.
Suits: furniture and cabinet work. Strengths: belt-free speed changes and a cast iron table. Weaknesses: heavy and needs a fixed mount. Skip it if you need a lightweight press.
View JET 12-Inch Benchtop Drill Press Variable Speed 716000 on Amazon
4. Klutch 13-Inch Benchtop Drill Press
A 13 inch swing press with a 3/4 HP, 120 V, 4.6 amp motor and 16 speeds from 220 to 3,300 RPM. It has a 5/8 inch chuck, a 3-3/8 inch stroke with a depth lock and an 11-3/4 inch quick-release table that rotates 360 degrees and tilts 45 degrees. A drill press vise is sold separately. Note: the details table lists 3.75 hp, which conflicts with the 3/4 HP in the title, so we use the title figure.
Suits: larger panels and low-speed drilling. Strengths: a 13 inch swing and a very low 220 RPM setting. Weaknesses: 83.2 pounds and a conflicting horsepower entry. Skip it if bench space is tight.
View Klutch 13-Inch Benchtop Drill Press 3/4 HP on Amazon
5. VEVOR 10-Inch Benchtop Drill Press (1016BVS)
A 10 inch press with a 0.8 HP, 600 W, 5 amp motor, variable speed from 530 to 3,140 RPM with a digital readout, an X-laser positioning guide, an LED work light and a 0 to 45 degree tilting worktable. The chuck is 1/2 inch.
Suits: a mid-size press with a digital readout. Strengths: variable speed, laser and light. Weaknesses: a 1/2 inch chuck. Skip it if you need a 5/8 inch chuck.
View VEVOR 10-Inch Benchtop Drill Press 1016BVS on Amazon
6. VEVOR 12-Inch Benchtop Drill Press (1216BVS)
A 12 inch swing press with a 1 HP, 6.2 amp motor, 530 to 3,140 RPM variable speed with a digital readout, an X-laser guide, an LED light and a 0 to 45 degree tilting table. The listing shows a 0.6 inch maximum chuck size and an item weight of 84.3 pounds.
Suits: a larger swing with a stronger motor figure. Strengths: a 1 HP figure and a digital readout. Weaknesses: heavy. Skip it if you need a small press.
View VEVOR 12-Inch Benchtop Drill Press 1216BVS on Amazon
Setup and Care
- Follow the manual for mounting the press to a bench or stand.
- Match the speed to the bit and material as the manual describes.
- Read the manual for how to hold and secure the workpiece.
- Keep the table and column clean and lightly oiled.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing by horsepower alone and ignoring swing and table size.
- Skipping the manual for guards and mounting.
- Forgetting the weight when planning a bench.
- Assuming a laser guide replaces a test hole in scrap wood.
Drill Press FAQ
What does swing mean?
It is twice the distance from the column to the chuck centre, so a 10 inch press reaches about 5 inches in from the edge.
Does it need to be fixed down?
The maker of the JET says to bolt it to a bench or stand. Check the manual of any model.
The Short Version
For a compact shop, the WEN. For a laser and work light, the SKIL. For belt-free speed changes, the JET. For the widest swing, the Klutch. For a 10 inch digital readout, the VEVOR 10. For a 1 HP figure, the VEVOR 12.
