Like the common handheld drill, drill presses are used to bore holes of various diameters into metal, wood, or other materials. But that’s where the comparisons end. A drill press is a serious piece of equipment that is used in countless industrial and factory environments—and in the workshops of hardcore DIYers—and is designed for jobs that call for serious drilling power and precision.
These heavy and mostly stationary machines are typically expensive and take up a lot of room, but any time you need the utmost accuracy (like when building a stair railing or any piece of furniture that requires consistent peg holes), nothing but a drill press will do.
Think about it: When you use a hand drill, your power is limited to the strength in your arm and the precision is reliant on the steadiness of your hand when pressing down. But when using a drill press, these operations are automated. The drill bit is held in place thanks to a piece called a chuck that is attached to the end of a spinning spindle. Using a rotating handle, the user can control the consistent up and down motion of the drill and something called a depth spot ensures that each hole has the same depth. Before drilling, some metal bits may need to be polished using a bench grinder to ensure maximum precision.
How Drill Presses Are Measured and Rated
If you’re shopping for a drill press, the main things you need to consider are the size, power, and speed of the machine.
To determine the best size for your needs, you should factor in both the swing of the drill press, as well as what’s known as the spindle travel. The swing is the distance between the central column and the spindle, multiplied by two. This is what dictates your work area—it establishes the maximum size of any piece of wood, metal, or other material that can be drilled into by the press. Spindle travel means how deep you can drill downward. The general range is from two or three inches in smaller benchtop models to six inches or more by full-sized drill presses.
Power and speed are also important factors when purchasing a drill press. Machines with higher wattage have more power, which translates to the ability to drill through thicker pieces of wood or metal. All drill presses have some speed variances, but more expensive machines generally have more speed options. The lower the bit speed, the easier it is to drill into heavier-duty materials.
Most drill presses also feature some sort of adjustability control, like the ability to move or tilt the table to accommodate the task at hand.
Differences between Mill and Drill Presses
The primary difference between a mill and a drill press is that a mill not only drills vertical holes, but it also allows you to cut with the side of cutting tools such as saws and sanders. It really comes down to the axes of motion for each machine: A drill press only moves up and down, so it cannot be used to cut slots in the sides of materials, for example. In contrast, a milling machine’s table can move in the X, Y, and Z directions—creating three separate cutting axes.
Because of the additional versatility of a mill press, the average model is also more expensive than a standard drill press. And while there are ways to fashion a simple milling device by adjusting the table of a drill press and using a vise to clamp your work material to the side of the table, this hack is generally frowned upon because the effort rarely results in the precision that most milling jobs require. For simple woodworking, like fashioning the legs of a handmade table, a drill press turned on its side can also be used as a functional lathe (a rotating machine that spins wood).
Safety and Maintenance
While drill presses are considered safe machines, there are precautions that should always be followed. It goes without saying that safety glasses or goggles are a must, as drill presses spin very fast and produce excess chips and small chunks of whatever material you are working with. Watches and jewelry should also be removed, as they can get caught in the rotation of the spindle. Many experts also recommend against wearing gloves, as any loose material can also get stuck in the machine.
Always clamp your work material securely to the table so it won’t move during the drilling process. Remove the key that locks the chuck into place after every use—if you turn on your drill press with a key still left in the chuck, it may shoot out at a very high velocity and do considerable damage. Also, make sure the machine is off before cleaning the machine and workpieces. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a safety guard or shield attached to the machine can help reduce potential hazards.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.