The drill press is a common tool in many workshops. It’s liked for its versatility, efficiency. reliability and accuracy. Due to these and other benefits, it’s become a must-have for many people. However, like other tools, not every piece will deliver the right performance. It may be little slow, wobbles during use, too noisy, or assembly may be a little tedious. Also, the unit may have poor control meaning the work is not accurate; it may not be suited for heavy-duty operations or may break down too often. To avoid such drawbacks, it’s crucial to compare the available products during purchase. And before doing that, you need to have an idea of what the best tool is. In this top 10 best harbor freight drill press in 2018 reviews, we will walk you through the top picks.
As you know, there are many retailers and suppliers of the tools. Nevertheless, the Harbor Freight named is among the well known. It has been in operation for many decades and stocks a wide range of tools. One fact about the firm is that it pays special attention to quality, reliability, craftsmanship, durability, and consumer satisfaction. To achieve this, they only go for the very best products on the market. The following are the high-test rated pieces currently on offer.
Best Harbor Freight Drill Press Review
10. RIKON 30-140 Bench Top Radial Drill Press
The RIKON brand has made itself a good name when it comes to drilling presses. Of the types on offer by Harbor Freight, this one is among the people’s favorite. Consumers like its simple design which makes operating it easy.
They also say it has a good stability which prevents wobbling and poor results. This is due to the solid steel construction.
The RIKON 30-140 Bench Radial Drill Press features a 1 / 3 HP electric motor that is mounted on a solid metal frame. It operates from a low speed of 630rpm to a top speed of 3100 RPM.
- Good speed and stability
- Easy to operate
- Good quality and decent price
- It’s not very powerful
9. Genesis GDP1005A Drill Press, 10-Inch; 5-Speed 4.1 Amp
The Genesis GDP1005A is also a popular pick from Harbor Freight. Both amateurs and professionals love it because of its solid construction and stability. The strong bullion motor can reach high speeds for faster drilling.
It boasts of a 5-speed gearbox that allows for smooth transition from low to high speed and vice versa. And like the other top-selling units, this unit is pretty stable during use. The piece is portable thanks to the compact nature and nice design.
- Good design and drilling speed
- Solid construction and long-lasting
- Works well
- It’s not very silent
8. Shop Fox W1667 1/2 HP 8-1/2-Inch Bench-Top Oscillating Drill Press
Next is the Shop Fox W1667 drill. Featuring a 1/2 HP electric motor, this piece generates decent power. And together with the reliable head and bits, it will easily bore different hole sizes. The unit comes in a bench design for better stability and can handle small to very large holes.
It occupies a fairly small size thanks to its average dimension and is 23 inches high.
The oscillating drill press, although powerful, is relatively silent. It also doesn’t wobble too much during use.
- Good design and stability
- Space saving design
- quality construction
- It is not the most portable
7. Delta 18-900 L 18-Inches Laser Drill Press
If you wish to own a practical, easy to operate and reliable drill press, then you will find the
Delta 18-900L a good option. The 18-inch laser drill press shad’s good accuracy and is also energy efficient. IT works seamlessly to provide good results. This is achieved by the robust motor and superior engineering.
The accessory features an Auto-tensioning belt drive mechanism for delivering faster speed and at the same time provide an accurate outcome. For added precision, this tool includes Micro-adjustable depth stops. You don’t need lots of space to use it since the table insert dimension so 3.75 x 3.75 x 0.75 inches
- Easy to operate
- Good accuracy
- Well designed and practical
- It’s not super silent
6. Shop Fox W1668 3/4 HP Bench-Top Oscillating Drill Press
With the Shop Fox W1668 3/4 HP Bench-Top Oscillating Drill Press, drilling holes of different sizes will be easy. It also works on various materials and still maintains the good service. The drill press has a powerful 3/4 HP motor that generates decent power.
It has a maximum RPM of 1725 while the spindle speed ranges from 250-3050 RPM. In comparison to other alternatives, this tool looks somewhat smaller. However, it outscores them when it comes to power and speed. It also features a study frame for better stability.
- Easy to control
- Very Robust
- Strong motor
- Not suitable for 220-240V AC power
5. SE 97511MDP 3-Speed Mini Drill Press Bench
First on the review is the SE 97511MDP 3-Speed Mini Drill Press Bench. It comes in a bench design for better stability and minimal vibration. Thanks to its base dimension of: 6-5/8” x 6-5/8”, it occupies minimal space. However, it provides a decent working space. You get 3 operation speeds (5000, 6500, 80000 and to handle various needs. The product is ideal for drilling different hole sizes and works as great in different materials. It delivers good performance courtesy of the robust motor and drill bit. To deliver good performance, the unit is made of tough steel, which can handle the vibration and drilling operations.
- Good performance
- Solid construction
- Silent operation
- A bit small for heavy duty work
4. WEN 4210 Drill Press with Laser, 10-Inch
Completing our review is the WEN 4210 Drill Press. The 10-inch piece is readily available and can be found in many homes, workshops, and business premises. One thing that makes it stand out is the top performance yet it’s among the smallest unit in its class. This makes carrying, moving, or storing it more convenient.
It has 5 different speeds to choose from with the lowest being 600 while the high-test is 3100 RPM. Like most top types, it has a good locking linear depth for better stops and improved accuracy, it’s easy to read, and is also very stable.
- Works great
- powerful motor
- Easy to operate
- Takes time to get used to
3. WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press
WEN is among the best brands when talking about drill presses. The 4214 is a top seller from the manufacturer as well as Harbor Freight. The 12-inch piece can handle a range of application including drilling smell and large holes. The piece has a strong motor that drives the drill bits seamlessly through the materials being bored.
The Infinitely variable speed starts from a low 580 RPM while the maximum is 3200 RPMS. For easy functionality, the unit has LED readout display.
- Easy to operate
- Seamless mechanism and accurate
- Powerful motor and solid construction
- Not fit for 220-24o V AC power
2. SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press
The SKIL 3320-01 drill press is ideal for small to medium jobs. It’s a common pick by beginners as well as professionals and ranks amongst the top types in 2018. The unit also enjoys good safety rating thanks to the new improved design. The powerful unit comes with 5 adjustable speeds (570-3,050 RPM). This is okay for most everyday operations.
It features a 1/2-Inch keyed chuck for easy drill bit changes and a bump-off switch for better safety. Although it’s powerful, it doesn’t use lots of energy. According to the manufacturer, it will use up to 3.2 amps. And for extra versatility, the work surface can tilt up to 45 degrees.
- Easy to assemble
- Small and portable
- Works great and long-lasting
- The instructions are somewhat vague
1. WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press
Also from the WEN brand is this simple yet functional drill press. The 4208 is an 8-inch piece that is suitable for small to medium duty work. It has a strong metal construction for extra stability and strength.
And like other top types from WEN, the unit has high speeds for easy drilling. It runs in 5 different speeds and selecting the preferred option is very easy and straightforward. The locking linear depth stops improve accuracy and also help in repeat drilling. The 1/3 HP induction motor generates great power and torque but keeps the powder consumption minimal.
- Strong powerful motor
- Easy height adjustment
- Lightweight and portable
- It looks little rugged
Best Harbor Freight Drill Press Buying Guide
Drill presses come in either bench or floor/stand type. Each will have its specific benefits and will appeal to people differently. For instance, the bench type is more stable and works pretty well on small holes. However, since it’s fixed it’s not very portable. Also, they aren’t as powerful as their alternatives. The stand type is loved for its good portability, more power, and is good for heavy-duty drilling. The downside is that it may not be as accurate as the bench type and it’s not very reliable for small holes. When buying either of the pieces, you need to focus on the following:
- Size: Pick a product depending on the size of the work. A small piece may be cheaper but will be less effective. In fact, apart from breaking down easily, it will lead to poor and slower performance. A large press may be a bit of an overkill ion a small project. It may also consume more power.
- Construction Quality: Like any other tool, you should pick types that are long-lasting and can put-up with demands. Cast iron and steel are some of the best materials. They handle the stresses pretty well and are more resistant to warping, breakage or cracking.
- Power: you don’t want a drill that seems to take forever to drill a small hole. Do you? Speed is a crystal aspect when picking a drill press. The recommendation is to go for one that has fast speed. It will also feature a powerful motor and a strong head.
- Noise Level: The best drill press works fairly fast. Nonetheless, it won’t be too noisy. This makes it a good option even in quiet operation. When planning to buy or comparing the different types, you should pay attention to the decibels (dB) rating. The lower the figure the more silent it is.
- Stability: Drilling holes requires a strong motor, head, drill, and other accessories. A badly made unit may have the power and speed. However, it may shake too much doting use. This may lead to poor work or even injury. You should look at types that stay stable even in demanding operation.
- Speed: Power isn’t the same as speed. The former is normally rated in horsepower (HP) or Kilowatts (kW) and generally depict the force the motor delivers. The latter is best described in Rotations per Minute (RPM) and the higher the number the more the revolutions. A good choice will have variable speed since different materials and applications require different speeds.
- Functionality: other than just drilling holes, good drill press also severs other functions. It may work as a mortise machine, sander, planer and more. The more functions it has the more advantages. You wouldn’t need to purchase other tools and will be saving space at the same time.
Other important things include the dimensions, inclination, angle, brand, consumer reviews, and price.
Conclusion
There you go. The top drill presses in the market. To summarize this list, we factored the most critical aspects. These include construction quality, material, accuracy, reliability, brand reputation, size, adjustability, stability, noise, energy efficiency, easy maintenance, simple operation and more.
Furthermore, we went for brands athwart are not only well-known and popular but also have a good reputation. And as you will see in the above pieces, the tools above have high ratings and enjoy lots of positive reviews. By using this top 10 best harbor freight drill press in 2018 review as your guide, you will certainly own a good product.
