Drill Press Decision

I believe this is the one I’d get in the price range – I have the older version of the DP300, it’s been adequate for what it is…a smaller 12” benchtop drill press.

You don’t need a laser on a drill press. The 350 has the speed adjustment lever on the outside which is a nice feature. I’d take that over the laser – any day.

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

Make sure the throw is as long as you will need. I bought a new Craftsman (not recommended) before I started pen turning. Now I find that it doesn’t have enough throw to drill all the way through a pen blank.

-- Maplewood, MN

Robert,

My Ryobi 10” meets all my needs. You might also consider their 12”.

Peter

-- TexasOpa, Allen

For what you plan to do now and in the future, the delta is a good start. I use a delta floor model with a front tilting table and laser site. I really don’t like to do mortice work on a drill press. I prefer a router and even though I have a mortice machine, I almost never use it. I love my laser for lining up centers when I use my larger bits like fostner bits. No guessing. The laser is handy. I didn’t want one but it came with my press. After using it a bit, I now wonder how I did without it before.

Drill preses are great to have. Stay away from craftsman.

-- making sawdust....

Well, after much deliberation over the different reviews and opinions of the drill presses I was considering, I decided to go ahead and purchase the Delta DP300L 12” Drill Press w/Laser. I’ve got the drill press assembled now, but I need to create a good bench to mount the press onto. (It’s currently just parked on my garage floor.)

I took everyone’s feedback into consideration before making my final decision, which was mostly based off of immediate availability and a gift card that I had at Lowes. I’m hoping that the drill press I purchased will at least give me a good starting point to begin projects and maybe I’ll get floor model with more throw and power in the future.

Anyhow, thank you all for your feedback! I appreciate all of the comments.