Regardless of whether you have a professional shop or a home workshop, a drill press is one of the most essential tools you are going to need.
These make drilling multiple holes a cinch which will ultimately allow you to get more things done in less time. They let you be more exact in your job which should improve your overall productivity and precision.
But not all drill presses are made equal. Some are ideal for wood, others for plastic. If you are looking to drill metal, then you will want the best drill press available as most of the others won’t have the power necessary.
Reasons why you should get a drill press for metalworking projects
- The first reason is that a drill press provides great accuracy when drilling holes in metal. You can work with it all day and get the same sized, accurate holes, with equal depths.
- Tapping holes by hand is quite hard to do, especially when one is required to tap many holes.
- Using a drill press to tap into a pre-drilled hole provides the convenience that hand drills cannot afford.
- A drill press for metal is also immune to locked-up drill bits. To drill a hole into metal, all that users need to do is to clamp the metal on the press table, set the speed, and run down the wheel into the sheet.
There are a few things to be considered when you’re out looking for the best drill press for metal. These include motor power, speed range, and weight among other things.
In this guide – What is The Best Drill Press for Metal, we go through the top four products that outperformed the rest in all the testing parameters so that you can decide from amongst the best drill presses which one you’d like to get for your needs and purposes.
WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill PressBest Overall
WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press
As the best of the lot, this is the most powerful drill press by WEN. It may be a little on the heavier side by that is due to the high-speed motor that powers it. Let us take a look at its different aspects and see what some of its noteworthy points are.
Accuracy
The drill press is supremely accurate. This accuracy is made possible thanks to the precision laser installed on this drill press which marks precisely where you are going to drill.
As such, drilling becomes a highly convenient endeavor that ensures your work has the mark of a professional.
Performance
Working with a drill press on metals at high speeds can lead to overheating of the drill. Fortunately, that is not the case with this drill press. It is able to keep cool due to the channels that are built into the spindle.
This ensures that both the drill bits and the drill itself don’t suffer any damage in the long-term due to overheating.
Design
The construction and the design of the drill press are impeccable. However, users can encounter an issue with the table. Though in itself it is well made, is highly durable, and is made out of weatherproof cast iron, its table clamp is very flimsy.
If you aren’t gentle with the table you may end up breaking it. Therefore, keep this information in mind whenever you’re moving the table, lest the clamp breaks.
- Has a laser point for precision drilling
- Can adjust speeds with ease
- Cooling channels to avoid overheating
- Digital speed display
- Comes with a work-light
- Has a flimsy table spring
SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-inch Drill PressBest value for money
SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-inch Drill Press
This drill press for metal by SKIL is a well-built tool that is great for the occasional enthusiast. As a company, SKIL is known to build highly functional tools at affordable prices.
Performance
The tool delivers more than just basic competence. If you need a drill press for punching holes in a thin metal once in a while then this is the ideal product for you.
Given its price, the performance that you get out of it is well worth it. If you’re looking for something a bit more hardcore, then you’ll have to invest a bit more.
Design
The design and construction are decent; there’s nothing extraordinarily special about them. If you are going to require drilling holes once in a while, then this is an excellent starter drill.
Just don’t expect to use it every day and not have it come undone after a while. It is, after all, meant for infrequent use.
- Great starter drill
- Amazing value for money
- Delivers decent performance
- Can last long if used once in a while
- Lightweight
- Not very precise
Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Floor Drill PressMost Versatile
Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Floor Drill Press
Here is a versatile and popular drill press for metal by Shop Fox. One can easily depend on it to provide high performance. Its reliable operation and versatile functions certainly make it stand apart from the competition.
Power
This drill press has a 3/4 HP engine that provides tremendous power. Thanks to its 12-speed settings, one can have great flexibility while working.
From 250 RPM all the way to 3050 RPM, one can use the drill press to drill holes in metal at various power levels, contributing thus to its overall versatility.
Design
Even with a powerful motor, the drill press is surprisingly light. The parts are quite rugged and the model is highly durable so there’s no need to worry about any mechanical damage during extended operations.
Its table is one of the best parts. Its height and position can be adjusted to accommodate anything from a sheet of metal to a wooden plank. If you want to use the base for drilling and sanding, the table can be moved around as well.
The tool can be converted into a sander as well which allows for contour sanding. There are dust ports built especially for the sander which can be cleaned with ease.
- 12 different speed settings
- Durable construction
- High power
- Can be used for contour sanding
- Has an adjustable table
- Doesn’t have any laser alignment system
DEWALT Drill Press, 2-Speed, Magnetic, 2-inch (DWE1622K)Best Design
DEWALT Magnetic Drill Press, 2-Speed
Our penultimate entry is from the world-renowned company DeWalt. The model is decked with amazing features and a design that greatly assists in operation.
Power
The drill has enough power to effortlessly cut through all types of materials, including many metals. The speed can be adjusted at two-speed settings – at 350 RPM and 450 RPM. There are no issues with overheating as the tool has an overload protection system.
Many internal parts of a drill press are susceptible to burning so it is great that the model is equipped with such a feature.
Design
At only 33 pounds, the model is very lightweight and compact and can be moved around with ease. Those who have to move the machine around for their work will truly appreciate the lightweight construction and sleek profile.
The unit also comes with a carrying case which is very sturdy and makes things even more convenient.
Those who have to work in confined areas will find its quick-release handles come in quite handy. These can be mounted on the sides of the machine to save space. The controls are ergonomically placed, and the overall design makes the tool well worth the price.
- Ergonomic design
- Powerful motor
- Easy to operate
- Overload protection
- Lightweight and compact
- Only has a couple of speed controls
Buyer’s Guide
Although we have come to the end of our review, we would like to alleviate some of the doubts that users may have regarding the drill press for metal.
Do go through them as they will provide you with valuable information as to how to ensure the proper functioning of your drill press for metal.
How to choose the most appropriate speed for a drill press for metal?
On the other hand, stainless steel needs to be drilled at half of that speed, around 300 RPM. For better accuracy and safety, use lower speeds on hard metals and higher speeds for softer materials.
What safety measures should one take while using a drill press for metal?
Remove any piece of jewelry and wear safety glasses. Don’t wear loose clothing and don’t forget to clamp down the material and secure it in place. For more details please read Drill Press Safety Rules
Which accessories can I pair with my drill press for metal?
One could also include angle vises to clamp the material at an angle. A drill-bit storage bin can also be attached to make access to drill bits easy.
Final Thoughts
A drill press for metal is one of the best tools that you are going to get for your workshop. If you’re a professional worker who has to work with metal sheets time and time again will find a drill press to be the ultimate investment.
Not only will it make it convenient for you to drill holes in the metal sheets faster, but also provide higher accuracy than standard drills.
After going through multiple drill press products, we hope that our list allows you to narrow down the model that is ideal for your use.
Do ensure that you’re well aware of how to use a drill press for metal and do so with all the safety measures in place. We hope that you found this review useful and now have a sufficient understanding of drill presses to make an informed decision.
Did you like our What is The Best Drill Press for a Metal article? Please comment and don’t forget to check – Best Nibbler Drill Attachment Review!