Metal Drilling Presses: 5 Top Picks

As technology advances, more specialized tools are becoming available to a wide range of professionals. For those who work with metal, the metal drill press is perhaps the most essential tool in their arsenal.

These powerful machines are designed to easily drill precise holes through hard metals, making them invaluable for anyone who offers metal drilling services Albuquerque area. However, with a wide range of options on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you.

To help you make the right choice, we’ve put together a list of our top five metal drilling presses. But first, let’s take a look at the different types of drill presses and the features to consider when buying one.

Types

Drill presses come in three types (floor, benchtop, and magnetic), each with its own unique features and benefits.

●      Floor drill press

Also known as standing drill press, it’s the largest of all drill presses and is usually equipped with powerful motors that can handle larger pieces of metal.

●      Benchtop drill press

As the name suggests, this machine is designed to be mounted on a workbench. It’s smaller and lighter than the floor model but has enough power to handle most metal drilling jobs.

●      Magnetic press drill press

A small portable drill press designed for use in tight spaces. It’s equipped with a powerful magnetic base that holds the metal in place for accurate drilling.

Features

When buying a metal drill press, there are several key features you should look for. These include:

●      Power

Each drill press comes with its own motor rating, which tells you how much power it has. Machines with higher watt ratings are better for tougher metals, while lower power models are more suitable for softer metals.

●      Swing

This refers to the distance between the chuck and the column of the drill press, multiplied by two. This helps determine the size of the metal you can accommodate on your drill press. Larger metals require a larger swing.

●      Speed

This refers to the number of revolutions per minute (RPM) the drill press can achieve. Higher speeds are great for drilling through softer metals, while lower speeds are better for tougher metals.

●      Stroke distance

Also known as spindle travel, this refers to how deep a drill press can bore without having to stop and readjust the drill press table or the material being drilled. Smaller drill presses bore up to 2.5 inches, while larger ones bore up to 6 inches or more.

5 top picks

Now that you know what to look for in a metal drill press, here are our five top picks.

1.    Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Floor Drill Press

This floor model drill press is equipped with a 3/4HP motor for light-to-medium-duty metal drilling tasks. It has a swing of 14 inches and variable speeds (12 speed setup) ranging from 250 to 3050 RPM, making it a perfect choice for large tough metals.

In addition, it comes with a stroke distance of 3-1/8 inches, which makes it ideal for deep drilling operations.

These features, plus the fact that it can double as a sander, make it a great all-around drill press.

2.    Dayton Floor Drill Press (3/4HP, 17” Swing)

This is a powerful and durable machine that can handle most metal drilling tasks with ease. It’s also what we use at New Mexico Metals LLC.

This drill press is powered by a 3/4HP motor, has a swing of 17 inches, a 3 1/4 inch stroke distance, a 45 degrees tilting worktable, and variable speed settings (16-speed settings) ranging from 200 to 3630 RPM.

What makes this machine unique is its countersinking and reaming capabilities, which make it perfect for those who need to drill and countersink large pieces of metal quickly, easily, and accurately.

3.    Wen 4214 Benchtop Drill Press

If you’re looking for a benchtop model, then this one should be at the top of your list. It comes with a 12 inch swing, a 3-1/8 inch stroke distance, a 9-1/2 inch cast iron worktable (adjustable in all directions), an LED display, a work light, and laser pointers, making it a great choice for precise drilling tasks.

In addition, its 5A induction motor allows for variable speeds (which you can set yourself) ranging from 580 to 3200 RPM – perfect for drilling through a variety of metals.

4.    Jet JDP-15B Benchtop Drill Press

Powered by a 3/4HP motor, this benchtop model is more powerful than the Wen 4214. It has a swing of 15 inches, a 3-1/8 inch stroke distance, a work light, laser pointers, and variable speed settings (16 speed settings) ranging from 210 to 3500 RPM. You also get an adjustable worktable for precise and accurate metal drilling.

If you are looking for a machine with the power and strength of a floor drill press yet still offers the compactness of a benchtop model, Jet JDP-15B is a great choice.

5.    Milwaukee 4272-21 13A Magnetic Drill Press

This powerful portable machine is designed to drill metals quickly and accurately. It’s powered by a 13A motor, has a drill travel of 5-3/4 inches, and comes with a special lift-off detection system that automatically shuts off the motor if it senses excess rotational motion while drilling.

It also has two separate speed settings (for cutters and bits) and features a motor height adjustment system, which allows you to accurately and precisely adjust the height of your motor.

These easy-to-use comfort and safety features make this drill press a great choice for those who need to drill metals on the go.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the perfect metal drill press for your project can be daunting. But with our five top picks, you should have no problem finding the best machine for your needs.

However, if you are still unsure of what metal drill press to get or need help getting perfect holes for your metal drilling project, New Mexico Metals LLC is here to help! We offer the best metal drilling services in Albuquerque area and are sure to have the perfect machine and team for your metal drilling needs.

Contact us today to discuss your project in detail!