Three drill presses by their manuals
| Feature | WEN 4214 | JET JDP-17MF | Powermatic PM2800B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | 12 in; 20 in chuck to base | 16-1/2 in floor model | 18 in; 40-1/2 in chuck to base |
| Spindle travel | 3-1/8 in | 4-3/8 in | 6 in |
| Chuck | Keyed, 1/8–5/8 in | 5/8 in | Keyed, 5/8 in |
| Spindle taper | Not stated | MT#2 | JT-3/MT-2 |
| Speeds | 580–3200 rpm, variable | 200–3630 rpm, 16 belt steps | 250–3000 rpm, variable |
| Table and tilt | 0–45° left and right | 14 in round, ±45° | 20-1/2 × 14 in, 0–90° left and right |
| Motor, as stated | 120 V, 5 A | 3/4 HP | 1 HP; 15/7.5 A full load |
| Depth control | Depth gauge with scale | Depth stop | Two-nut depth stop |
From each manual. Amps and horsepower are different measures and are not converted; neither says how a press drills. Not a ranking.
Equipment notePaid link
18-in variable-speed floor drill press
Powermatic PM2800B
Powermatic's PM2800B from the table above: an 18 in swing, 6 in spindle travel and 250–3000 rpm changed only while running, by its manual.
Paid link — BenchRoot may earn a commission if you buy through this link.
Matching a press to the work
| Work | What to look for | In the manuals |
|---|---|---|
| Holes near the middle of wide panels | Swing | 18 in on the PM2800B against 12 in on the WEN |
| Deep holes in one plunge | Spindle travel | 6 in on the PM2800B, 3-1/8 in on the WEN |
| Large Forstner and hole-saw work | A low bottom speed | 200 rpm on the JET; WEN's own table ends at 580–800 rpm for 1-5/8 in bits |
| Angled holes | Table tilt | To 90° on the PM2800B, 45° on the others |
| Long boards and repeat holes | Fence, work stop, depth stop | A fence and work stop on the PM2800B; a depth stop on all three |
Built from the three manuals. Not a ranking.
What to compare
- Swing and travel. Swing is twice the spindle-to-column distance; travel is the deepest single plunge. Both are hard limits of the frame.
- Chuck and taper. All three hold shanks to 5/8 in. Larger cutters must run on shanks within that, as the guide to wood drill bits explains.
- Speed range and how it changes. The WEN and Powermatic change speed only while running; the JET by moving belts. A low bottom speed matters for large bits.
- Table. Size, slots, tilt and how a fence or vise fixes to it. Powermatic's table has miter slots and T-slots.
- Motor. Each maker states it differently — amps for WEN, horsepower for JET and Powermatic. A rating is not a measure of drilling performance.
- Light and laser. A feature for seeing the mark, not a guarantee of accuracy: Powermatic says to check and adjust its laser before use and periodically after.
- Runout. None of the three manuals states a runout figure. WEN describes taking up spindle play and lists causes of wobble.
Before choosing a drill press
- Swing for the widest work you will centre
- Spindle travel for your deepest holes
- Lowest speed low enough for your largest bits
- Speed change method you are happy to use
- Table, tilt and fence for how you hold work
- Bench space or floor space for the model's size
How a drill press is set up and run safely, with each maker's speed rules, is in the drill press guide.
Sources
Specification-based: every figure is the maker's own, from the machine's manual. The JET manual reviewed is an older edition covering several models; current machines may differ. Motor ratings are kept in the units each maker uses, and no maker states a runout figure. No machine was tested and none is ranked.
- 1.
Operating Instructions and Parts Manual, 18-inch Variable Speed Drill Press, Model PM2800B (Rev. E1, 04/2019), as hosted by Purdue University. Powermatic, 2019.
Used for: The PM2800B: 18 in swing; keyed 5/8 in chuck on a JT-3 arbor, JT-3/MT-2 spindle taper; 6 in spindle travel; 250–3000 rpm variable, changed only while running, read on an LED display; 1 HP, 115/230 V, 15/7.5 A full load; 20-1/2 × 14 in table with miter slots and T-slots, 0–90° tilt left and right; a 20 in fence and work stop; a two-nut depth stop; a laser to be checked and adjusted before use; 40-1/2 in maximum chuck to base.
- 2.
Model 4214 12-inch Variable Speed Drill Press manual (2015), as hosted by a retailer. WEN Products, 2015.
Used for: The 4214: 580–3200 rpm (no load) mechanical variable speed with a digital readout, changed only with the machine on; 120 V, 5 A; 1/8–5/8 in keyed chuck; 3-1/8 in stroke; 6 in chuck to column; 20 in chuck to base; 0–45° tilt; Class III laser and work light; 85 lb; spindle play adjustment; a wood speed table.
- 3.
Operator's Manual, JDP-14J/14M/17M/14JF/14MF/17MF Drill Press, as hosted by UC San Diego. JET Equipment & Tools.
Used for: The JDP-17MF floor model: 16-1/2 in swing; 5/8 in chuck; 4-3/8 in spindle travel; MT#2 taper; 16 speeds from 200 to 3630 rpm by belt position; 14 in table, ±45° tilt; 3/4 HP, 115/230 V; 49 in spindle to base; 216 lb.
About this buying guide
Written by BenchRoot Editorial. How BenchRoot sources, checks and corrects its pages is set out in the Editorial Policy. If something here is wrong or unclear, the contact page explains how to tell us.