Variable Speed Floor Mount Drill Press

Floor drill presses are must-have workshop equipment if you want to make precise hole drillings consistently. While they occupy more space than benchtop models, they are sturdier and thus have less vibration. The variable speed control dial of the floor-standing drill presses can change the speed while maintaining the same power and torque for denser materials. This enables you to make precise hole drills.

If you are looking for the best variable speed floor drill presses for the money, you will notice that seven, if not hundreds, of brands, make these tools. This means that it can be overwhelming as each brand claims that their product is the best.

To help make your work easier, we analyzed seven variable speed floor standing drill presses, and here are the top 7 best floor drill presses that we found operated on variable speeds.

Quick Comparison of 7 Best Variable Speed Floor Drill Presses

Floor Drill Presses	Key Specifications	More Info
Shop Fox W1848 Drill Press	Motor Power: 3/4 HP Max. Speed: 3050 RPM Drill Chuck: 1/64"-5/8" Swing: 13-3/4 inch Weight: 122 lbs.	PriceOur Review
JET J – 2500 Drill Press	Motor Power: 3/4 HP Max. Speed: 3630 RPM Drill Chuck: 5/8-inch Swing: 3-1/8 inch Weight: 167 lbs.	PriceOur Review
Powermatic PM2800B Drill Press	Motor Power: 1 HP Max. Speed: 3000 RPM Drill Chuck: 5/8" Swing: 18 inch Weight: 115 lbs.	PriceOur Review
Shop Fox W1680 Drill Press	Motor Power: 1 HP Max. Speed: 1720 RPM Drill Chuck: 5/8" Swing: 17 inch Weight: 178.1 lbs.	PriceOur Review
Klutch 16-Speed Drill Press	Motor Power: 3/4 HP Max. Speed: 3410 RPM Drill Chuck: 5/8" Swing: 13 inch Weight: 123.2 lbs.	PriceOur Review
Jet 354170/JDP-20MF	Motor Power: 1.5 HP Max. Speed: 4200 RPM Drill Chuck: 3/4" Swing: 20 inch Weight: 288 lbs.	PriceOur Review
Jet JDP-17MF Drill Press	Motor Power: 3/4 HP Max. Speed: 3630 RPM Drill Chuck: 16-1/2" Swing: 17 inch Weight: 209 lbs.	PriceOur Review

10 Awesome Uses For Your Variable Speed Floor Drill Press

1. Drill holes at equal intervals.
2. Create a large circle for a base plate.
3. Cut the corners off of the small plate.
4. Create a mold or form that can hold a variety of shapes.
5. Can be used as a heat press for leather.
6. Create a custom jig to ensure perfect alignment.
7. Use it as an alternative to traditional squats.
8. Clean your gutters.
9. Remove rust from metal.
10. Make a cleaner cut when sawing wood.

How to make a drill press variable speed?

Top-Rated 7 Variable Speed Floor Drill Press Reviews

Here’s a little sneak peek over the top choice of 2022 and most probably coming years as well – the seven best floors standing drill press for metal and woodworking! So, to find out which are the best, keep reading, and we’ll help you to make the best buying decision:

1Shop Fox W1848 Variable 12-Speed Floor Drill Press

• Motor: 3/4 HP
• Speed: 3050 RPM
• Weight: 122 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• Delivers 12 variable speeds
• Designed with adjustable table
• Comes with an oscillating spindle feature for extra tasks
• Sturdy construction
• It serves to sand too

With sturdy construction, this floor-standing drill press delivers reliable performance. Its ¾ HP motor facilitates variable speed. It has 12-variable speed settings (250 – 3,050 RPM), making this floor model drill press quite versatile.

A unique feature of this floor stand drill press is its sanding capability. The conversion process doesn’t require you to use any tools, allowing you to achieve smooth finishes with a single device.

It comes with a large round worktable, which tilts up to 90 degrees to the left or right. This comes in handy in angular drilling. Its height is also adjustable to fit the specific metal sheet or wood plank.

It has easy to clean 2 inches’ vacuum dust ports. The ports keep the table clean during sanding. Its chuck accommodates drilling bits of between 1/64 inch to 5/8 inch.

With such flexibility and versatility at an affordable price, we recommend this Shop Fox 1848 as one of the best floors mounted drill presses for the money.

2JET J–2500 16-Speed Settings Floor Standing Drill Press

• Motor: 3/4 HP
• Speed: 3630 RPM
• Weight: 167 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• Depth stop
• The table tilts to 45 degrees for angle drilling
• Comes with a cast iron head for durability
• Wide speed range
• Requires minimal maintenance
• Permanently lubricated

When looking for professional and quality equipment, Jet Tools should always be on top of your mind. Their Jet J- 2500 is one of their best floor model drill press. It comes with a cast iron head and an impressively large quill.

Its spindle assembly is permanently lubricated. This makes it long-lasting. It also comes with a depth stop, which helps you make precise holes with a consistent depth. Its table tilts to 45 degrees.

Jet J-2500 has variable 16-speed settings ranging between 200 and 3,630 RPM. The motor power is 0.75 HP. Thus, you get the required amount of energy and speed for every task. The speed range is ideal for both woodworking and metalworking.

It comes with a 15-inch swing, which is ideal for up to ½ – inch drill for steel and 5/8 – inch for cast iron. Jet J-2500 features a big ground steel column diameter. This provides full cast iron head and table support. However, it lacks a work light and laser guide.

If you need a professional floor drill press that can handle challenging strenuous tasks, Jet J-2500 is the best floor standing drill press for your money.

Also read: How to buy drill press for metal and woodworking?

3Powermatic PM2800B Variable Speed Floor Standing Drill Press

• Motor: 1 HP
• Speed: 3000 RPM
• Weight: 115 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• Ideal for repetitive drilling that requires consistent depth
• Adjustable fence system
• Uses mechanical speed variation
• Powerful 7.5-amp motor
• Designed LED lights
• Comes with a digital speed readout

Different drilling tasks require different speeds. This unit features mechanical speed variation. Therefore, you don’t need to adjust the belt when changing speed.

It features a 7.5 – amp motor. Further, it has variable speeds ranging between 250 and 3,000 RPM. It is the most powerful drill press in this floor model drill press review. The high power comes in handy when handling commercial tasks.

The Powermatic PM2800B machine has a 6-inch quill that is controlled with a single handle. With such an impressive quill journey, the machine can perform different drilling and polishing tasks.

The digital readout shows the current speed. The powerful LED lights improvise visibility on the working surface. Further, it comes with a safety key and a keyless 5/8 – inch chuck.

The worktable of this floor stand drill press features a fence system. The system secures and aligns the material preventing it from sliding out of the working surface. The unit tilts to 90 degrees, which helps drill angled holes and parts that are not flat.

4Shop Fox W1680 Variable Speed Floor Model Drill Press

• Motor: 1 HP
• Speed: 3050 RPM
• Weight: 178 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• Superior adjustment features.
• It has precision control.
• Designed rubber-coated handles.
• Durable cast-iron construction.
• Built-in light for enhanced visibility in the working area.

Are you looking for the variable speed best floor standing drill press for woodworking and metalworking? We recommend that you consider this Shop Fox W1680 floor model drill press that is reliable even for challenging drilling tasks.

It comes with a 14-inch diameter table that tilts up to 90 degrees. Besides, the table’s height and rotation are also adjustable. These adjustment features allow you to customize the unit’s positioning for specific projects. The cast iron table also has precision control for accurate drilling.

Shop Fox W1680 drill press has cast iron construction for durability. Its handles have rubber coating for enhanced wear and tear resistance and firm grip. Equipped with a 17 – inch and 3 ¼ – inch spindle. Its variable speeds ranging between 250 RPM and 3,000 RPM generate sufficient torque that makes precise hole drills. Further, it operates on a 1 – Horsepower motor, which is enough for all woodworking tasks.

This machine comes with a chuck guard. This protects you in case waste flies towards you. Also incorporated for enhanced safety is a paddle switch. Unlike the usual on/off switch, a paddle switch is safer and more convenient.

5Klutch 2705S058 Variable Speed Floor Mount Drill Press

• Motor: 3/4 HP
• Speed: 3410 RPM
• Weight: 123 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• It has 16-speed settings
• Affordable.
• Chuck key storage is conveniently located.
• Comes with a gooseneck light.

If you often work in poorly lit environments, this is the best floor mount drill press for your needs. It features variable 16-speeds range generating 260–3,410 RPM and a gooseneck LED light, which tremendously improves visibility. You, therefore, get to work seamlessly.

Klutch 2705S058 floor mount drill press has 5/8 – inch chuck size. Its maximum drilling capacity is 1- inch. A combination of these two can handle different tasks and drilling styles. Its chuck key is conveniently located for quick and easy access. This is quite helpful, given that you need to keep tightening the chuck during operation.

It comes with a 0.75 HP motor. This is powerful enough to power virtually any ordinary task. The 16-speed setting is impressive, with a minimum of 260 RPM and a maximum being 3,410 RPM. Its table has a diameter of 11.4 inches. Further, the 13-inch swing effortlessly drills through wood and most metal.

This machine allows 360 degrees rotation. The worktable can tilt 45 degrees on either side for more drilling options. It also has a depth stop that uses a ball knob handle for precise drilling. This unit is a perfect match between a pocket-friendly and high-quality floor mount drill press.

6Jet 354170/JDP-20MF Multi-speed Floor-mount

• Motor: 1-1/2 HP
• Speed: 4200 RPM
• Weight: 288 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• Quite stable.
• It has a built-in lamp.
• The motor is quite powerful.
• Spindle return spring.

For over half a century, Jet tools have made some of the most innovative, reliable, and high-quality equipment. This Jet 354170/JDP-20F is equipped with a powerful motor of 1 ½ HP. This provides a maximum drilling magnitude of 1 inch. It also has a spindle return spring. This is used in adjusting the tension.

Equipped with 12-variable speeds, it covers 150 RPM to 4,200 RPM. This is the most comprehensive speed range in the 7 best floor drill press reviews. To adjust the spin speed, open the metallic cover, detach the motor, and glide the pulley’s belt to adjust the rotation speed.

The power switch is conveniently placed on the front side of this floor drill press. It has one of the biggest worktables you can find. This makes it a perfect fit for both wood and metal works. The worktable rotates 360 degrees and tilts up to 45 degrees, which facilitates slanted drilling.

This floor drill can be used for sanding besides drilling. Its height can be adjusted to fit your projects’ needs. The built-in work lamp makes working in poorly lit areas easier. This 20-inch floor drill press spins drilling bits up to 0.75 inches.

7Jet 354169/JDP-17MF Variable Speed Floor Standing Drill Press

• Motor: 3/4 HP
• Speed: 3630 RPM
• Weight: 189 lbs.

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Highlight Features:

• Sturdy construction.
• Safety lockout dial.
• Easy to assemble.
• Easy to operate with its ample power buttons.

This is another quality floor drill press from Jet. Jet 354169 has a sturdy build. Its construction comprises heavy steel components and robust cast iron. Its 13 ¾ inch table tilts up to 45 degrees that facilitate slanted drilling. The table is also crank-operated to boost smooth performance.

It is equipped with a 0.75 horsepower induction motor. With 16 speed settings, it rotates at a minimum of 200 RPM and a maximum of 3,630 RPM. The multiple speed settings enable you to tackle different projects. The drilling capacity of this machine is 5/8 inches.

When it comes to safety, Jet JDP-17 features a lockout start button. This feature prevents the drill from being accidentally started in your absence. It also has a built-in light for improved visibility in the working area.

The spindle travel of 4- 3/8 inches comes with quality ball bearings, which increases its durability and performance. Further, the spindle has a return spring for tension adjustment. This facilitates repetitive drilling on equal depths.

If you are looking for a sturdy floor standing drill press for industrial woodworking use, we suggest that you consider Jet 354169/JDP-17MF.

Read more: How to buy a drill press for 80% lower finishing?

Things to Consider – Before Buying

Drilling through materials is a demanding task. It would be best to purchase a machine that will make the work easier and deliver quality results. In this buyer’s guide, we give you tips and advice on what to look for when purchasing the best floor drill press for the money.

Feature to Consider When buying a Floor Drill Press

You need to keep in mind various critical features when looking for the best floor drill press for metalworking or woodworking.

Purpose

The first thing you need to consider is your specific purpose for buying the drill press. Is it for woodwork or metalwork or both? Are there some particular features that it must have? Your answers to these questions set you on the right path.

Motor Power

The power of the motor determines the kind of drilling you will have. The best floor model drill press should be as powerful as possible. This means that you will be able to drill into even high-density materials such as steel.

Horsepower or HP express the motor’s power. Most floor-standing drill presses have a ¾ horsepower motor, with the most powerful ones having up to 1.5 horsepower.

A drill press with a high HP value is more expensive. Unless you are looking to be drilling metals, a ¾ horsepower motor is the best floor drill press for woodworking and your pocket.

Speed Range

As we have seen above, RPM (rotations per minute) indicates the machine’s speed. The higher the maximum RPM, the faster the drill. Most of the floor drill presses we have reviewed above have a wide speed range.

Consider lower speeds for metal drilling. This is because high-density materials require more power. On the other hand, higher rates are ideal for wood tasks.

If you are a DIY person, a small speed range is sufficient. But as a professional, you may need to consider a higher capacity. This helps you perform a variety of projects quickly.

Table Tilting Angle

Most floor drill presses have a table that adjusts to a certain angle. Wood and metalwork, at times, require drilling on curved surfaces. The best floor drilling press is one that can be tilted to a large degree.

Side clamps should also be tight. This ensures that the wood plank or metal sheet is held firmly in place. Thus, preventing accidents.

Chuck Size

Chuck refers to the part that holds the most force and friction. A good drill press should have a minimum chuck size of ½ inch. One that can be tightened with a wrench or a keyed one is better than a keyless one.

Durability

A drill press is a long-term investment. It should give value to your money by serving you for many years if not a lifetime. Ensure that the drill press you choose is made of high-quality material in all the parts.

Functionality

The best floor drill press for wood and metal will do more than just drilling. It also has sanding, milling, mortising and related capabilities.

Weight

The weight of a drill press determines its stability and portability. A more massive unit will vibrate less. Less vibration facilitates precision in drilling. If you are moving with the drill press a lot, you might need to choose a lighter unit.

Serviceability

Now and then, you will need to have routine support to maintain the machine’s efficiency and effectiveness. Not all floor drill presses have readily available spare parts. Other manufacturers require that specific experts handle their devices.

The availability of spare parts and the said experts’ proximity is another factor you need to remember.

Other Factors to Consider include:

• Depth Stop. This feature is useful when you are making repeated drills that need to be of equal depth. It facilitates the required consistency.
• Work light. This illuminates your working space for better visibility.
• Laser alignment. It improves the visibility of laser marking. This facilitates drilling precision.

Purchasing Tips

Now that we are aware of the features to look for, here are tips to guide you when purchasing.

Price

Your first step should be to have a realistic budget. This will keep you in check when you go shopping. Next, identify the model you would like to purchase. Once done, compare prices from various stores or suppliers and choose the least expensive seller. Cheap is expensive, but you don’t have to pay extra if you can get the same quality at a lower cost.

Warranty

A warranty gives you peace of mind. The more extended the warranty, the better. This shows that the manufacturer has great faith in its product. Pay attention to the length of the warranty.

If you have to choose between two similar units, the best drill press for the money is a more extended warranty.

Additional Accessories

Some drill press units do not come with all the necessary accessories. At times you may be required to buy some additional accessories. If so, add the accessories cost to the unit’s price. Your purchase decision should be based on the total cost.

Bench vs Floor Drill Press

Which model is better between a benchtop and a floor drill press? Both types of drill presses have their advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the difference between the two will help you make an informed decision depending on the task at hand.

Benchtop drill presses are mounted onto a workbench. They are cheaper, more compact, easily portable, and ideal for small tasks. On the other hand, they have less power and have a short swing, limiting the workpieces’ size.

On the other hand, floor drill presses require no mounting. They stand on the floor directly and thus require enough space. They give more precision, are more powerful and flexible, and have wider swings. However, they are more extensive and more expensive, which means that they are less portable.

Safety Tips

Drill presses can be hazardous if not used properly. Below are vital safety tips to observe before, during, and after using the drill press.

Before using the Floor Drill

Carefully read the manufacturer’s manual.

Ensure that you fully understand the instructions. Properly train yourself before operating the machine.

Carefully assemble the machine as per the manual guide.

When Using the Drill

Always wear protective safety goggles to prevent debris from entering your eyes.

Choose a drill press with an easily accessible power on/off button. The drill should have an emergency stop button.

Lubricate drilling bits when working on metals. Once done, clean the floor of any grease or oil spillage.

Keep the working surfaces free of clutter.

What to Avoid

• Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothes. Roll-up sleeves and securely tie your hair to the back. This ensures that none of these is caught up in the rotating parts.
• Never leave the chuck key inside the drill’s chuck. Always remove it once you make adjustments.
• Never hold the wood plank or metal sheet by hand when drilling. Always use vices or clamps to secure the item.
• Don’t use your hand to stop a rotating spindle or chunk.
• Always switch off the drill when not in use.

FAQs

What is the best drill press for the money?

There are a variety of drill presses to choose from. The best one for your money is one whose features meet your needs at an affordable price.  It should also be versatile enough to perform different tasks.

Depending on your needs, you will not go wrong by choosing between Shop Fox W1848, Shop Fox W1680, Jet J-2500, Jet JDP-20MF, Powermatic PM2800B, Jet JDP-17MF, and Klutch 16-speed.

Which is the best drill press for metal?

The best drill press for metal has to be a floor model because they are more powerful and give more precision. They are also larger and thus accommodate bigger item sizes.

Is adjusting speeds difficult?

It can be hard at the beginning. To change the speed settings, you need to release the tension, adjust the belt, and re-tension. However, it’s easy if your drill press has infinitely variable speed settings.

Final Words

Drill presses are crucial in woodworking and metal tasks. They save you energy and time. Further, they give you professional-looking results on your projects. Even so, they can be dangerous if not used well. Always observe the necessary safety measure before, during, and after using a drill press.

There are many floor drill press brands and models to choose from. They come with different features that determine the machine’s stability, performance, durability, and precision. The best floor model drill press is one that meets your needs in your budget range.