A drill press takes your drilling game to a whole new level, offering unmatched accuracy and control. Whether you’re drilling precise holes in wood, metal, or plastic, this stationary powerhouse ensures consistent depth and alignment every time. Unlike handheld drills, a drill press secures the workpiece and allows you to adjust speed, angle, and depth for perfect results on every project.

Ideal for both woodworking and metalworking, drill presses provide the stability needed for tasks ranging from simple drilling to complex operations like sanding, shaping, or mortising. With adjustable tables, different chuck sizes, and variable speeds, you can tackle a wide range of materials with ease.

Whether you’re setting up a professional workshop or outfitting your home garage, a drill press enhances your precision, efficiency, and overall craftsmanship, making it an essential tool for any serious maker.

Our Top Drill Press Picks

The WEN 12-Inch Benchtop Drill Press is powered by a 5-amp induction motor, providing reliable performance for a variety of drilling tasks. With a 12-inch swing and 3-1/8-inch spindle travel, it offers flexibility and precision for your projects. The digital speed readout ensures accurate RPM adjustments, while the variable speed range of 580 to 3200 RPM accommodates different materials. Additional features include a laser, adjustable depth stop, beveling work table, and a 5/8-inch capacity keyed chuck, ensuring a high level of convenience and precision.

The JET 15-Inch Benchtop Drill Press is equipped with a 16-speed motor, offering a versatile speed range from 200 to 3,630 RPM for a variety of drilling tasks. Its large steel column ensures maximum stability for both the head and table. With a 1-7/8-inch diameter quill and 3-1/8-inch spindle travel, it allows for deep hole applications. The telescoping safety spindle guard and enclosed spindle assembly with four permanently-lubricated ball bearings provide improved safety and accuracy. Its cast iron head ensures high drilling precision, and it is CSA/CUS certified for safety.

The Shop Fox W1668 Drill Press features a 3/4 HP motor with a spindle speed range of 250-3050 RPM, offering a versatile range for various drilling tasks. The 5/8-inch drill chuck and 3-1/4-inch spindle travel allow for deep hole applications, while the 13-1/4-inch swing provides ample space for larger materials. It also includes a 3-piece spindle sander drum kit for added versatility, with sanding paper for 1-inch, 1-1/2-inch, and 2-inch drums.

The Powermatic Benchtop Mortiser is built for precision and convenience with a heavy-duty reversible handle that can be installed on either side of the head without tools. Its integrated bit and chisel spacers allow for quick setups, while the inline depth stop ensures consistent depth control without racking. The large hinged chuck door with a magnetic catch enables easy access to the chuck, and the stock hold-down with double lock system reduces workpiece slippage for added safety and accuracy.

The Dremel Drill Press Rotary Tool Workstation Stand is a versatile tool designed to enhance your drilling and rotary tool tasks. It features an articulating drill press stand that allows you to drill perpendicular and angled holes at 15-degree increments up to 90 degrees. The tool holder keeps your rotary tool steady at 90 degrees for tasks like polishing, sanding, and grinding. Telescopic adjustment offers flexibility, with height options ranging from 16 to 29 inches. Cord management clips and depth markings with a depth stop ensure precise and organized work, while the sturdy metal base with four clamping points keeps the station securely in place.

Beyond the Basics: Enhancing Woodworking with Drill Press Attachments

Drill Press Vise

A drill press vise is a clamping device that securely holds the workpiece in place during drilling operations. This attachment is essential for ensuring accuracy and safety when working with a drill press.

There are several types of drill press vises available, including cross-slide vises, angle vises, and quick-release vises. Each type offers unique features to accommodate different woodworking needs.

Type	Features
Cross-Slide Vise	Allows for precise positioning in multiple directions
Angle Vise	Enables drilling at various angles
Quick-Release Vise	Facilitates fast and easy clamping adjustments

Using a drill press vise not only improves accuracy but also enhances safety by preventing the workpiece from shifting or spinning during drilling, reducing the risk of accidents.

Mortising Attachment

A mortising attachment is designed to create square or rectangular holes, known as mortises, in woodworking projects. This attachment attaches to the drill press and allows woodworkers to achieve precise and consistent mortises quickly.

By using a mortising attachment, woodworkers can streamline the process of creating mortise-and-tenon joints, a common technique in furniture making and joinery. This attachment helps ensure that mortises are accurately sized and positioned for a perfect fit.

• Secure the workpiece firmly in place before starting the mortising process.
• Adjust the depth and width of the mortise according to the project requirements.
• Regularly clean and lubricate the mortising attachment to maintain optimal performance.

Drum Sander Attachment

A drum sander attachment is used to sand curved or irregularly shaped wood pieces that are challenging to sand with traditional sanding methods. This attachment consists of a rotating drum covered in sandpaper, allowing woodworkers to achieve smooth and uniform surfaces.

Woodworking tasks such as shaping chair legs, rounding edges, and smoothing contours can benefit greatly from a drum sander attachment. It saves time and effort while delivering professional results.

Woodworking Task	Benefits of Drum Sander Attachment
Curved Chair Legs	Ensures consistent sanding on all sides of the legs
Round Edges	Creates smooth and uniform rounded edges
Contour Smoothing	Efficiently sands intricate contours with precision

Circle Cutting Jig

A circle cutting jig is a handy attachment that attaches to the drill press to cut perfect circles in wood. This jig allows woodworkers to create circular cutouts with precision and consistency, ideal for projects that require round shapes.

Whether making wooden wheels, decorative accents, or circular tabletops, a circle cutting jig ensures accurate and smooth cuts every time. It eliminates the need for manual cutting methods, saving time and improving overall project quality.

• Securely fasten the workpiece to the jig to prevent movement during cutting.
• Adjust the cutting radius on the jig to achieve the desired circle size.
• Practice on scrap wood before cutting into the final workpiece for best results.

Edge Sanding Attachment

An edge sanding attachment is designed to sand and smooth the edges of wood pieces efficiently. This attachment attaches to the drill press, allowing woodworkers to achieve clean and uniform edges on their projects.

By using an edge sanding attachment, woodworkers can save time and effort compared to manual sanding methods. It ensures that edges are straight, smooth, and free from imperfections, enhancing the overall finish of the woodworking piece.

• Adjust the sanding speed and pressure to prevent over-sanding or burning the wood.
• Move the workpiece steadily along the edge to maintain consistency in sanding.
• Use different grit sandpapers for gradual smoothing and finishing of the edges.

Conclusion

Drill press attachments are invaluable tools that can elevate woodworking projects to new heights. From enhancing precision and efficiency to expanding creative possibilities, these attachments offer a range of benefits for woodworkers of all skill levels.

Woodworkers are encouraged to explore the versatility of drill press attachments and discover how these tools can enhance their craft in exciting ways.

FAQ

What are the key benefits of using drill press attachments?

Drill press attachments offer increased precision, efficiency, and safety in woodworking projects. They enable woodworkers to tackle a variety of tasks with greater ease and accuracy.

How can I choose the right drill press vise for my woodworking needs?

When selecting a drill press vise, consider the type of projects you typically work on and the features that would best suit your requirements. Cross-slide vises are ideal for precise positioning, angle vises for drilling at various angles, and quick-release vises for fast adjustments.