If you’ve been trying to find the best floor drill presses, see our updated guide. We’ve been testing numerous products for quite some time, and we’re finally ready to give a comprehensive review for the top-rated devices.
Below, you’ll read about our top picks, what makes each product unique, what their benefits and drawbacks are, and why we loved using the drill presses. Don’t forget to go over the buyer’s guide and learn about the essential factors to consider when purchasing.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: JET JDP-20MF 20-Inch Drill Press
- Best Budget: WEN 4214T 12 in. Variable Speed Drill Press
- Most Powerful: NOVA 58000 Voyager DVR Drill Press
- Best for Repeat Drilling: JET JDP-17 17″ Drill Press
- Easy to Use: Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Drill Press
Floor Drill Press Buying Advice
Best Overall: JET JDP-20MF 20-Inch Drill Press
Key Features:
- Variable speed: 150-4,200 RPM
- Power: 1.5 horsepower
- 20-inch swing
- Chuck size: ¾”
Pros:
- This device has a powerful motor with 12 speeds varying from 150 to 4,200 RPM
- It has a work light included for better visibility
- This is a professional product you can use on various floor types depending on the speed
- It has a 20-inch swing
- Large work table can tilt +/- 45°
- Has a telescoping safety spindle guard
Cons:
- It’s an expensive purchase
- It’s heavy
While looking for a great floor-mounted drill press, our team stumbled upon this device. If you’re looking for a professional-level drill press with a wide range of options, various speeds, and high performance, this is it!
We agreed that this is the best drill press we tested because it can be used on a wide range of materials, it has a large work table that can tilt, it’s high-speed, and it comes with a work light.
This might be the most expensive drill press on the list, but it’s a professional device. This drill press has 12 different speeds. Our team tested it out on various flooring materials, and it performed flawlessly. We also tested it on plastic and metal, and it worked perfectly on those materials, too.
If you are obsessed with details, you’ll be happy to hear that this machine has a built-in work light that you can use at night. The JET JDP-20MF Drill Press can drill into 20-inch material. The chuck size of the device is ¾”, and it comes with a chuck key.
As you probably expected, this is a heavy machine. If you decide to buy it, you will need to find a spacious spot to store it in. Moving it around is not an option unless you do it with several friends or a moving crew.
This is the best overall product because it’s a professional-grade machine that is stable and can be used for various materials. It has a 20-inch swing, a wide work table, and many other features.
Best Budget: WEN 4214T 12 in. Variable Speed Drill Press
Key Features:
- Variable speed: 580-3,200 RPM
- Power: 1.5 horsepower
- 12-inch swing
- Chuck size: ⅝”
Pros:
- Incredible value
- Comes with a two-year warranty
- It has quite a large work table
- You can tilt the worktable in both directions up to 45°
- Comes with a built-in work light you can use when it gets dark
- The device has a precision laser
Cons:
- It’s heavy
- The lasers might take you some time to figure out
The WEN 4214T Standing Drill Press is another great purchase that is not as professional-grade as our previous pick, but it’s definitely a high-quality machine that was by far the cheapest of our top picks. If you’re looking for a machine to use for floors, but you don’t want to pay a high price, this one will serve a great purpose.
The WEN 4214T 5-Amp Variable Speed Drill Press comes with a two-year warranty, so if anything happens to it, you should get in touch with their customer service.
If you want to work with different materials, but you don’t want to spend a fortune, this is an excellent purchase.
The JET JDP-20MF featured above is a heavy-duty device that works great for metals, but if you want a machine to only use on floors, the WEN 4214T will do a great job.
The chuck size of this drill press is ⅝”, and it also comes with a chuck key with a special storage spot on the machine. The variable speeds go from 580 up to 3,200 RPM, and between 580 and 1,000, you can change the speed using a lever. From 1,000 to 3,200, you’ll need to change belts to change speeds.
This is a much less expensive option than the JET DP-20MF drill press, but it has a similar quality. If you’re looking to spend less on a machine with variable speeds that you can use on vinyl floors, hardwood, tile, and laminate, we highly recommend this one.
Most Powerful: NOVA 58000 Voyager DVR Drill Press
Key Features:
- Variable speed: 50-5,500 RPM
- Power: 1.75/2 horsepower
- 18-inch swing
- Chuck size: ⅝”
Pros:
- This machine doesn’t use belts for speed change; instead, you use the screen and buttons to set it
- Has excellent software that you can control via the digital screen and buttons
- It’s an extremely accurate and precise drill press
Cons:
- It’s expensive
- It’s heavy
The NOVA 58000 Voyager floor standing drill press is a device we’ve wanted to try for a while. This is the most powerful drill press on our list, and it has an impressive range of unique features, including the use of specialty cutters, no belts, advanced software, and more.
The speed of the NOVA 58000 Voyager DVR drill press is variable and goes from 50 to 3,000 RPM, but there’s an option to increase it to 5,500 RPM. This is a mighty machine with a 1.75/2 HP motor. The speed you’ll use depends on the material you’ll work with.
Although it was primarily designed for woodworking and floors, this drill can do various tasks on most material types. You can use it on metal and plastic because it’s pretty powerful and extremely precise.
If you’re looking for the best in terms of power, latest technology, and accuracy, the NOVA 58000 is the machine to get. This is a costly yet worthwhile purchase that can be used on wood, metal, and plastic, and it can easily take on large projects.
Best for Repeat Drilling: JET JDP-17 17″ Drill Press
Key Features:
- Variable speed: 210-3,500 RPM
- Power: 0.75 horsepower
- 16⅞-inch swing
- Chuck size: ⅝”
Pros:
- Comes with a spacious work table and four table slots
- Comes with a depth stop that is ideal for repetitive drilling
- Five-year warranty
Cons:
- The laser pointer sometimes fails to work
The JET JDP-17 17” Drill Press is the perfect machine for repetitive drilling. It’s somewhere in the middle in terms of price range and an excellent purchase for people who need to take upon large projects.
The JET JDP-17 device has 16 speeds that range between 210 and 3,500 RPM. You can make the changes with the machine’s one-hand belt tensioning mechanism.
Thanks to the large work table, you can tackle big projects without taking breaks. The size of the worktable is 14” x 19” and features four table slots.
Also, you can feel safe while working with this device, because it has a large paddle-style off button and includes a safety key. It’s one of the most stable machines thanks to its large cast-iron base.
We loved how large the worktable of this device is and that it allows you to drill with precision without it overheating.
Easy to Use: Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Drill Press
Key Features:
- Variable speed: 250-3,050 RPM
- Power: 0.75 horsepower
- 13¾-inch swing
- Chuck size: 1/64”-⅝”
Pros:
- Allows oscillating movements for even more perfect holes
- It’s perfect for woodworking and floorwork
- You can use it for sanding
- Comes together with a set of sanding drums
- Two-year warranty
- It’s lightweight
Cons:
- Less powerful motor
The Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Drill Press is the most affordable option and is perfect for floors and woodworking. Thanks to its oscillating feature, you can turn this press into a sander and create immaculate holes.
This floor drill press has a less powerful motor compared to the previous three products, but that doesn’t make it a less quality choice. If you’re looking to mainly work with wood and floors and you don’t need a press for metal, this one will do a great job.
The Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Drill Press, as the name suggests, is oscillating. In other words, it doesn’t only rotate, but it also has back and forth movements. You can use these features to make your work smoother and more precise.
If your main goal is to find a standing drill press that you’ll use for wood and floors, this Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Drill Press is the best contender. It’s also the best budget product that won’t break the bank.
Side by Side Comparison
| Product | Our Rating | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
JET JDP-20MF 20-Inch Drill Press View on Amazon –> View on Home Depot –> | Best Overall Overall: 4.8 | Variable speed: 150-4,200 RPM Power: 1.5 horsepower 20-inch swing Chuck size: ¾” |
 WEN 4214T 12 in. Variable Speed Drill Press View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Budget Overall: 4.7 | Variable speed: 580-3,200 RPM Power: 1.5 horsepower 12-inch swing Chuck size: ⅝” |
NOVA 58000 Voyager DVR Drill Press View on Amazon –> View on Tool Nut –> | Most Powerful Overall: 4.6 | Variable speed: 50-5,500 RPM Power: 1.75/2 horsepower 18-inch swing Chuck size: ⅝” |
JET JDP-17 17″ Drill Press View on Amazon –> View on Home Depot –> | Best for Repeat Drilling Overall: 4.7 | Variable speed: 210-3,500 RPM Power: 0.75 horsepower 16⅞-inch swing Chuck size: ⅝” |
Shop Fox W1848 Oscillating Drill Press View on Amazon –> View on Acme Tools –> | Easy to Use Overall: 4.5 | Variable speed: 250-3,050 RPM Power: 0.75 horsepower 13¾-inch swing Chuck size: 1/64”-⅝” |
The Complete Floor Drill Press Buyer’s Guide
If you’re looking for the best floor drill press for sale on the market, these are the factors that you should know. Keep on reading to find out why the speed, power, design, and price matter when you’re buying one of these devices.
Power
The main measurement of power is horsepower. Most drill presses have around 1.5 horsepower. The motor is the part of the drill that creates the power, so the bigger and more powerful it is, the stronger the machine will be.
If you see a drill press with less than 0.75 horsepower, you might want to find a more powerful alternative. But, if you’re looking for a machine to use at home and you won’t be tackling large projects, a drill press with a less powerful motor will do the job.
Design
When looking for one of these devices, people don’t usually pay attention to the design. Certain design factors can improve your experience and make the drill easier to use.
Let’s start with the weight. If you choose the heaviest drill, you’ll see that it’s more stable, but it will also be harder to move it. If you opt for a lightweight design, it might not be very stable, but it will be easier to move it.
That’s why you need to set your priorities straight. If this is a device that you’ll want to move from time to time, opt for a more lightweight model, but make sure it’s stable. If you know that the drill press will be situated in one spot, you can go for a heavy one.
Also, the materials used in the production of these devices should be durable and long-lasting. The best options are metals with a mix of hard plastic.
Speed
The measurement for speed you’ll often see mentioned for drill presses is revolutions per minute (RPM). The higher this number is, the higher the speed of the press will be.
Also, the option to adapt the speed is a must. That’s how you’ll be able to work with various materials. No one buys a drill press to work on a single flooring type.
There are still single-speed drill presses you should use only when you’re working with certain flooring types. However, if your goal is to work with various floors, you will need a device with multiple speeds.
If you’re still a beginner, there is an easy-to-remember rule that can help you a lot. The harder the material you’re working with is, the slower your speed should be. If you work with high speed on hard materials, you can break them.
Price
These machines are a significant investment. Even if you want to buy the cheapest one, be prepared to research and explore all the features.
The price of a drill press is not always the deciding factor when purchasing. More expensive devices are usually better equipped with various features, are more durable, and do a better job. However, many affordable and mid-range alternatives will serve their purpose and will also do a good job depending on the project.
We always list the best budget alternative in our reviews. The best budget option is an affordable purchase that we found to be of excellent quality and checked all the boxes on our list.
FAQs
If you want to drill holes in your floors, a drill press is a worthy investment. As we mentioned before, floor-mounted drill presses are more stable compared to bench-mounted drill presses. These are heavy machines that you can’t move around too often.
Also, these devices are highly precise and will complete any task without mistakes. The best thing about all the products we reviewed is that they can be used for various materials, including wood, metal, and plastic.
As you can see, this is an all-around one-time investment that will serve you for many years. If you only need a drill press rarely and you’ll be using it for simple jobs, a bench-mounted design is a better option.
Final Thoughts
Floor mounted drill presses are sturdy, heavy devices used for heavy-duty drilling tasks. All of the options we reviewed can be used for various materials, including wood, plastic, and metal. If you need a drill press that will be stable and powerful and can work with high precision, then you should think about purchasing a standing floor model.
Our favorite pick is the JET JDP-20MF 20-Inch Drill Press because of its overall powerful performance. This is a device you can use on various materials, including metal, wood, plastic, and it is a professional-grade machine. It’s stable, powerful, precise, and has a large work table.
If you have any comments or first-hand experiences with a floor drill press, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media.
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