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It can be a frustrating experience when you find out your drill isn’t up to the job.
That can happen when you use a drill press which isn’t capable of getting through metal and other tough materials.
In those situations, you need a drill press that is going to be able to cope with those specific demands.
Thankfully for you, we have used our extensive research to find the best products on the market. Once you’ve read this, you’ll know how to choose the best drill press for metal that suits your needs.
Quick Picks
Here's 3 products we picked out that thought you would be interested in depending on your budget...
The Best Drill Press for Metal with Reviews 2024
Here's a list of drill presses for metal:
1. JET J-2530 15-Inch Metal Bench Drill Press
- 15” swing size
- 3/5 HP
- 45-degree table tilt
- Large quill
- Large column and table
Pros
- Cast iron head
- High stability
- Incredible power
- Easy adjustable
Cons
- High weight
- Large footprint
Overview
If professional quality is what you are after, then this drill press from Jet is going to be perfect. The 15-inch size is going to be able to get through a lot of work, including being able to easily drill through even the thickest metals to ensure a high-quality finish.
The cast iron head that it has and the large case may make it hard to move but they act to ensure that the drill press is highly stable, even at the highest speeds. The ball bearings it has ensure that the drill is not only durable to also has a very smooth action.
2. Shop Fox W1668 Bench Top Metal Drill Press
- 3/4 HP
- 250-3,050 RPM speed range
- 5/8” drill chuck
- 13” swing
- Includes sander
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Dynamic speed range
- Great accessories
- For all materials
Cons
- Changing speeds can be difficult
- Dust collector not standard
Overview
Shop Fox are another company who have been able to produce a drill press that has a very high level of power. That will make it easily slice through thick metals as well as any other materials that you might wish to drill through.
The speed range it has will be able to give you a full level of control over your drilling. It comes with a range of accessories and features that are going to make your drilling very easy. Overall this is a very impressive drill press that will get through a lot of work.
3. WEN 4208 8" Metal Drill Press
- 5 speeds
- 8” swing size
- 1/2” chuck
- 740-3,140 RPM speed range
- 1/3 HP
Pros
- Onboard key storage
- Accurate depth stops
- Easy repeatable action
- Easily adjusted
Cons
- Can have some wobble
- The table can be too tight
Overview
For smooth and repeatable action, this is one of the best drill presses that you can get. The adjustments are very easy which will enable you to complete the exact drilling that you want. There are very few downsides. Even with being a slightly smaller drill than the other options, it can still get through the metal.
It has accurate depth stops allow you to have precise drilling. The drill can have a slight wobble at the highest speeds but this is going to be minimal. It’s a great drill press for those looking for something slightly smaller but still has a great level of power.
4. ShopSeries RK7033 10" Metal Drill Press
- 6.2 Amp motor
- 45-degree bevel
- 5 operating speeds
- 620-3,100 RPM speed range
- 1/2” drill chuck
Pros
- Precise drilling
- Durable cast iron
- Great speed range
- High bevel angles
Cons
- Lower torque
- The table can be hard to adjust
Overview
You always want to have a drill press that is going to be able to give you precise holes. It’s exactly what this model will be able to give you with the great features it has. They allow for a high level of usability making you complete your jobs with ease.
The durable cast iron that it is made from gives it a very high level of stability. That keeps any wobble down to the minimum, allowing you to drill into that metal with confidence. The drill press is highly adjustable, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of drilling angles.
5. SKIL 3320-01 10" Metal Drill Press
Pros
- Great safety features
- Versatile speed range
- Precise laser
- Adjustable depth stop
Cons
- Small wobble
- The table range is limited
Overview
As with all the best models, this drill press is able to perform at 5 different speeds in order to suit your needs. Those speeds range from 570 RPM all the way up to 3050. It is able to give you that high speed while still being very safe to use.
One great feature of this drill press is that it has a precise depth stop which other models struggle with. That allows you to have confidence in making the precise holes that you want. It’s a drill press that offers a high level of control which is perfect for drilling into metal.
Comparison
| Name | Power | Swing size | Chuck size | Speed range | Table tilt |
| JET J-2530 | 3/4 HP | 15″ | 5/8″ | 200-3630 | 45° |
| Shop Fox W1668 | 3/4 HP | 13-1/4″ | 5/8″ | 250-3050 | 90° |
| WEN 4208 | 1/3 HP | 8″ | 1/2″ | 740-3140 | 45° |
| ShopSeries RK7033 | 2/3 HP | 10″ | 1/2″ | 620-3100 | 45° |
| SKIL 3320-01 | 3/4 HP | 10″ | 1/2″ | 570-3050 | 45° |
Other Guides
Best floor standing drill press
Wrapping it up
If you wanted to drill through metal then it could be easy to make the wrong choice and choose a drill press that doesn’t have those capabilities. All the models here are able to drill through all materials, with the larger models being able to go through thicker metal.
For the ultimate in pressing through metal, it has to be the JET J-2530. It will make light work of all types of material with the immense power it has. It also has the features you need for precise drilling at all the angles you need. It’s a fantastic drill and the best on the market for heavy-duty work.
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