For any professional in mechanics, carpentry, or metallurgy, drilling is among the repetitive and daily tasks. If you are one of them and need precision work, a drill press will be very useful to you. To help you find the right product, this article provides the necessary details about it.

What is a drill press?

As its name so well suggests, a drill press is a machine used to carry out drilling work with great precision.

Compared to the cordless drill, the hammer drill, or the percussion drill, it is not portable. But just like the milling drill, it is mounted in a fixed position usually on a workbench in a workshop.

Professional drill presses can have feet. These are firmly attached to a support. This support must correspond to the use of the drill as well as its weight. These models are often found in industry or carpentry.

The drill press column is equipped with a platform to hold the workpiece. It also has a lever used to move the head. The head is equipped with the drill bit and chuck. When the chuck is fitted with other accessories and tools, it can become versatile.

There are two types of chucks: the keyed chuck and the self-tightening chuck. According to users’ opinions, the second category is not only efficient but also easy to use.

Like band saws, the drill press is one of the very commonly used machine tools in workshops. It can work on countless materials such as wood, metal, plastic, stainless steel, or sheet metal.

Since it is fixed on a support, it frees your hands to carry out other activities while continuously controlling it. Selecting the rotation speed plays a decisive role before using it. You choose according to the drilling diameter and the type of piece to be drilled.

Comparison of the best drill presses: our top 9

Considering the various advantages of this machine, purchasing one is an interesting investment. If you do not know which one to choose among the drill presses available on the market, you can refer to our best articles.

Bosch Drill Press – PBD 40

For those looking for a high-performance model, opt for the Bosch drill press. It operates with a competitive 710 W motor. Thanks to this great power, it allows working on hardwood and thick steel pieces.

Bosch PBD is equipped with a laser ensuring good visualization of the drill bit position. It also offers a digital depth gauge display indicating the drilling depth. The machine allows you to use the electronic regulator to select the speed. Upon delivery, it comes with quick-clamping chucks and a parallel stop.

SHEPPACH DP16VLS

This Scheppach pillar drill may seem solid and reliable at first glance. With its 5 speed levels and 500 W power, it allows drilling into a wide variety of materials including metal, plastic, and wood.

Its drilling table, 160 mm in length, can be height-adjusted. You can tilt it 45° to the right and left, offering more flexibility during drilling. Scheppach integrates a laser to help locate the drilling hole position more precisely. Despite its many strengths, the price of the Scheppach drill does not exceed the normal cost.

Ryobi 4892210149671 5-Speed Pillar Drill

Ryobi offers a 5-speed pillar drill with speeds of 510, 800, 1300, 1800, and 2430 rpm. With these multiple options, you can adjust it according to the drill bit you are using. Versatile, it is used to drill various materials including plastic, wood, and metal. Whatever the nature of the workpiece, it demonstrates great precision with every drilling operation.

The machine offers better maneuverability with its tiltable table from -45° to 45°. Thanks to its 13 mm keyed chuck, it allows you to perform all types of drilling.

Scheppach DP60

Scheppach pillar drill ref 5906821901 attracts buyers with its significant power of 710 W. In this regard, it is capable of handling all materials including hard pieces.

The machine is equipped with a digital display that helps you operate it intuitively. Even better, this screen allows you to more easily read the drilling depth, which is functional during series drilling. Despite its performance and high power, it weighs only 9.8 kg. Its light weight facilitates installation.

Scheppach Bench Drill DP60 – 170-880/490-2600 min-1

The Scheppach Bench Drill DP60 is designed to offer precision and power in all your drilling tasks. Equipped with a digital screen, it allows precise speed adjustment and optimal performance control. Its integrated LED light effectively illuminates the work area for better visibility.

The built-in guide laser ensures straight and precise drilling every time. With its 1.5 to 13 mm chuck and two variable speeds (170-880 / 490-2600 min-1), it adapts to a wide range of materials. Its 710 W motor guarantees power and reliability for regular and demanding use.

Holzmann SB 2516H-230V

If you are looking for a professional drill, this machine will suit you very well. At 700 W, it meets all drilling requirements including with hard materials. Its efficient induction motor delivers fast results. The spindle speed is adjustable between 160 to 3000 rpm.

With excellent finish, its column is made of polished steel, robust and resistant to twisting. The drill features a solid base providing good balance. Although it is expensive, it benefits from free Amazon drill delivery.

Einhell 4250690 TE-BD 550 E

Many customers consider this Einhell pillar drill as the best precision tool, thanks to the quality of its drilling. It is the ideal machine for making holes in metal or wood with a drilling depth of 60 mm.

Despite its power, its induction motor can seem quiet. The integrated LCD display facilitates tool control. Its self-tightening chuck is compatible with drill bits from 0 to 13 mm in diameter.

Arebos

Besides an efficient pillar drill, this Arebos model can be deployed as a vise. It offers you a choice of 5 speeds to drill holes depending on the nature of the piece. Wood, plastic, or metal, nothing resists it with its 500 W power.

The drill features a laser simplifying material alignment. By using the laser points, you can perform very precise drilling. A 16 mm geared chuck allows the use of large drill bits. Besides its low price, the drill delivery is also free.

VONROC 900W Pillar Drill

The VONROC 900W pillar drill offers ideal power for drilling various materials precisely. Its LCD screen allows easy control of speed and settings during work. Equipped with a crossline laser, it ensures perfect alignment of drilling.

The integrated LED light improves visibility, even in poorly lit areas. With a drilling capacity of 40 mm in wood and 13 mm in steel, it adapts to many projects. Delivered with accessories, it is ready to use right out of the box.

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Einhell TE-BD 750 E Pillar Drill

Despite its reasonable cost, the Einhell pillar drill enjoys good quality finishing. It has a sturdy base ensuring its stability. Its protective cover can be folded down for safer drilling. Einhell chooses the “punch” safety switch for it, preventing accidental restart.

To ensure precise drilling tasks, the model features an adjustable depth stop. Its table can also be tilted up to 45° for multiple uses. With 5 levels from 580 to 2650 rpm, you can adapt its speed to the material to be processed.

What is the difference between a classic drill and a pillar drill?

If you want to do a better job, you need to equip yourself well. To choose between these drills, you need to know the differences between them.

First, these drills are used to make holes as their name suggests. They are designed to drill holes in parts or materials. But their use and the results obtained are not the same.

Regarding size and shape, pillar drills are not only tall but also bulky. They have a large drilling table and are widely used in workshops or industry. The equipment offers a drilling unit with high precision.

On the other hand, classic drills are distinguished by their smaller size. They look like a large gun with their inverted L shape. This machine is favored for small DIY or household tasks. Unlike the pillar drill, it has the major advantage of being mobile and portable. The other is stationary. As such, it stays in the same place throughout its lifespan, as you cannot move it.

In terms of price, the classic drill is much cheaper. Since the pillar drill is dedicated to more professional work, it costs a fortune. Fortunately, some sites like Amazon offer free shipping.

What is the best pillar drill?

Many parameters determine the best pillar drill. The important thing is that you find the machine capable of meeting your needs and your budget.

The first criterion to examine applies to its power. Generally, this varies between 300 to 700 W. If you are looking for a high-performance drill, you choose one with high power like the Bosch pillar drill. This criterion determines its resistance to the material’s consistency and the diameter of the holes drilled.

The second point relates to the tool’s speed. Not all pillar drills have the same speed. You must select a value that suits your use. It should be noted that a faster model is not necessarily needed. To find the best machine, you will need to determine the type of tasks you plan to perform before choosing based on this criterion. Some recent tools have adjustable speed. The drilling work is not the same at each level.

Besides these details, attention must be paid to the drilling table. It must be spacious if you intend to work on large materials like wooden beams. The best pillar drills have an adjustable table just like models from Ryobi and Promac. It allows you to drill according to the chosen direction. Others are equipped with a laser designed to indicate the drilling point. Once these parameters are well studied, all that remains is to compare prices and offers of drills.

How to use a pillar drill?

The pillar drill is used to carry out multiple tasks. A versatile machine, it drills through a number of materials such as plastic, sheet metal, or wood metal. Its use depends on the piece to be drilled as well as the accessories provided upon delivery of the drill. 

To use it properly, you must first choose the drill bit that suits each drilling unit. Once done, you install it in the chuck. Once it is securely fixed, you place the material to be drilled on the table. When the piece is firmly positioned, you can adjust the speed and start the work.

This adjustment depends on the type of element to be drilled. If you are working with plastic or metal, you will activate the low speed. Drilling wood, on the other hand, requires a high speed. This adjustment prevents damage to the support or abrasive-type parts.

When the work is finished, you can stop the motor. Don’t forget to remove the drill bit as well as the processed piece. After each use, make sure to clean the drill.

The best brands of pillar drills

For buyers concerned with power, Bosch will make them happy with its drills equipped with high power. The same goes for Promac, its drills like Promac tool ref ddb8e785 stand out for their great power. If you are thinking of acquiring one, you should plan a larger budget.

If your budget does not allow it, Einhell and Arebos offer you pillar drills at low prices. Besides that, Scheppach is known for the variety of its models available on the market. You can easily find the Scheppach pillar drill that matches your budget.

How much does a pillar drill cost?

In general, a pillar drill costs around 200 euros, but it all depends on its quality, power, and also the variety of its settings. For example, if you choose the Bosch pillar drill with 710 W, you will get it for 274 euros. The drill from Holzmann with 700 W ref HO-SB2516H-230V is sold for 721 euros. On the other hand, the Promac pillar drill is very expensive, with its price reaching more than 2000 euros. This is the case with the Promac tool drill. If you cannot afford it, prioritize the Einhell pillar drill ref ‎4 250 670. It costs only 99.95 euros. Yet, it has many notable advantages.

How to maintain your pillar drill?

After each drilling job, it is crucial to properly maintain the device to increase its lifespan and preserve its performance. When working with wood, the first step is to spray off the chips using a vacuum cleaner. You can use a blower to get rid of wood residues.

Then, the next step is to take care of the chuck. It should be noted that this part attracts dust. To clean it, graphite can be very effective. A single drop is enough to lubricate it. After putting some in the hole, you can tap a little to finish.

Advantages and disadvantages of a pillar drill

There are many types of drills on the market. Among drill presses, cordless drills, or radial drills, the pillar drill has multiple advantages.

Thanks to its many features, such as the height-adjustable table, it is easier and more practical to drill holes at the required angle, depth, and width. Drilling requires no physical effort as with portable tools. The machine does all the work. It allows you to obtain straight and precise holes.

But that’s not all, it does not vibrate even if you drill a hard piece like metal. The tool remains very stable throughout its operation, ensuring your comfort of use. In any case, it is always necessary to properly position the wood or plastic on the table. Likewise, the material must be securely fixed on a solid frame.

That said, the use of the column drill is extremely simple. It does not present a danger to the user. It is still advisable to choose a tool equipped with a protective cover to protect yourself from chip ejection. You can also wear safety glasses.

There are many types of column drills on the market. The manufacturers’ offerings continue to multiply. To optimize its versatility, they offer the column milling drill, radial column drill, and many other models.

As for its disadvantages, the machine takes up quite a bit of space in your workshop. Due to its size and weight, it cannot be moved as easily as portable drills. These also have the ability to drill materials of any size. Conversely, this is not possible with the column drill. Some models have a limited capacity because of the distance between the table and the chuck.

How to use a column drill?

To drill many holes of the same size and depth, a column drill will not disappoint you. This workshop tool allows you to work faster and with great precision.

Before using it, take the necessary measurement to drill accurately. Properly adjust the drilling depth of the spindle. To get good results, try to choose the spindle suited to the type of material and the preferred measurement. Make sure to securely fix the piece to the drilling table.

After adjusting the height of the drill, you can start it. When drilling hard materials, it is preferable to use a cooling liquid. This prevents damage to the spindle. When the work is finished, the motor must be turned off.

Which column drill to choose?

Between Scheppach column drill, Einhell column drill, Bosch column drill, or Promac column drill, there is no shortage of choice. The essential thing is to find a model that meets your expectations. The column drill comes in different types. You have the radial drill, magnetic drill, stationary drill, and bench column drill. You can choose according to the type of use you plan to make with the tool. The chosen model must also correspond to the materials to be drilled.

Why buy a column drill?

Almost all good DIYers equip themselves with it to carry out series drilling work. Due to its speed, the column drill works very quickly, helping you save time. Unlike other types of drills such as the milling drill or screwdriver drill, it performs work with greater accuracy. It allows drilling at an angle without error.

It should be noted that the machine can be accompanied by various tools and cutters. You just have to insert them into the chuck and they allow you to perform several different uses. Its acquisition therefore helps you save money. You are no longer obliged to buy several tools; it takes care of many tasks.

Moreover, there is no need to resort to a professional for small jobs. You can use it yourself and avoid the costs of their intervention. Regarding the purchase of the drill, you can easily find it in online stores or specialized shops. Many sites offer free delivery of their tools.

How to make a pillar drill?

Many professional DIY enthusiasts decide to create their own pillar drills. To do this, you must first gather all the necessary materials and equipment. Wooden boards, a metal pipe, and a plywood sheet are among its basic components.

Regarding the parts, you need screws, washers, bolts, as well as a tension spring. Also remember to have nearby a band saw or a circular saw, a  hand saw, wood glue, a vise, pliers, and a screwdriver.

Once these parts and tools are gathered, you can start by making the base of the stand. To make the column, use the pipe and attach it to the plate using the bolt. Then install the block to hold your drill. It is necessary to carefully study the jaw width.

As for the spacers, cut two pieces of wood with a saw. Assemble the obtained elements using wood glue, then glue the spacers onto the block. The final step is to tighten the drill using the two pieces of wood.