First Drill Press - Jet?

[Larry Kear]

I’m looking to get my first drill press and I’m not sure if I should get a benchtop or floor model for my small garage workshop. If I get a benchtop drill press I could build a moveable stand – an advantage given my space limitations – but I don’t know if it will be sufficiently versatile and powerful for amateur woodworking, e.g., building pieces of furniture, built-ins and cabinets for my house. A floor model might be more than I need, though, and would cost more. I’m looking at the Jet JDP-15B Benchtop 15″ drill press and the Jet JDP-17 17″ 3/4HP drill press. Both are currently on sale, the 15″ at $679 and 17″ at $849, but the 15″ is out of stock with a delivery date of late July. There is also a 15" floor version, JDP-15, going for $764. A prior version of the 15″ benchtop, the JDP-15M, was rated Best Overall in a 2007 FWW tool review.
My questions:
1) Is it worth the extra $85 or $170 (plus tax) to get either of the floor models?
2) Does anyone have experience with a Jet drill press?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or recommendations.

[Pete Staehling]

I have a different bench top drill press and only very rarely wish I had a floor model. If I had it to do over I might consider a floor model, but i wouldn't go so far as to say I regret buying a bench top model.

Jet makes decent machines and their tech and warranty support has been excellent IME.

[William Chain]

Scour the used market, CL or whathaveyou, and find a deal on a nice floor model. You’ll save a bunch of money and find something akin to the models you’ve described. Plenty of used gear to be had out there.


I’m looking to get my first drill press and I’m not sure if I should get a benchtop or floor model for my small garage workshop. If I get a benchtop drill press I could build a moveable stand – an advantage given my space limitations – but I don’t know if it will be sufficiently versatile and powerful for amateur woodworking, e.g., building pieces of furniture, built-ins and cabinets for my house. A floor model might be more than I need, though, and would cost more. I’m looking at the Jet JDP-15B Benchtop 15″ drill press and the Jet JDP-17 17″ 3/4HP drill press. Both are currently on sale, the 15″ at $679 and 17″ at $849, but the 15″ is out of stock with a delivery date of late July. There is also a 15" floor version, JDP-15, going for $764. A prior version of the 15″ benchtop, the JDP-15M, was rated Best Overall in a 2007 FWW tool review.
My questions:
1) Is it worth the extra $85 or $170 (plus tax) to get either of the floor models?
2) Does anyone have experience with a Jet drill press?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or recommendations.

[David Buchhauser]

" I’m looking to get my first drill press and I’m not sure if I should get a benchtop or floor model for my small garage workshop. If I get a benchtop drill press I could build a moveable stand – an advantage given my space limitations – but I don’t know if it will be sufficiently versatile and powerful for amateur woodworking, e.g., building pieces of furniture, built-ins and cabinets for my house. A floor model might be more than I need, though, and would cost more. I’m looking at the Jet JDP-15B Benchtop 15″ drill press and the Jet JDP-17 17″ 3/4HP drill press. Both are currently on sale, the 15″ at $679 and 17″ at $849, but the 15″ is out of stock with a delivery date of late July. There is also a 15" floor version, JDP-15, going for $764. A prior version of the 15″ benchtop, the JDP-15M, was rated Best Overall in a 2007 FWW tool review.
My questions:
1) Is it worth the extra $85 or $170 (plus tax) to get either of the floor models?
2) Does anyone have experience with a Jet drill press?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or recommendations. "

I would go with the benchtop drill press. More compact, and you can always add the moveable stand. Many times the benchtop drill press is identical to the floor model, but just with shorter column. Plus - you can add some storage under the moveable stand to take advantage of that extra space.
David

[Jim Becker]

The key factors here are the depth between the center of the tooling to the column of the machine and the vertical travel of the quill. Both of these items affect what work can be done with a drill press. Benchtop machines typically have more limits in these dimensions than floor drill presses. And while it's true that a benchtop can live...on a bench...the effective floor space is essentially the same for both a benchtop and a floor model if you put the former on some kind of mobile stand. The bottom line...the kind of work you want to do is going to determine what you choose. My first...and only...drill press was/is a Jet floor standing model that I've had since 2000 when I setup my shop. It's the only remaining machine from that initial buy as there's been no need to upgrade it other than putting a woodworking friendly table/fence on it.

[Zachary Hoyt]

The farm where I live and work has had a 17" Jet floor drill press since 2003, and it has been great, trouble free and useful. When I move I plan to get one of my own, I need the throat depth for making archtop guitars. I haven't seen any other drill presses that are cheaper and offer as much capacity in stroke and reach, so unless something better comes along or I find a good deal on a used large drill press I'll buy a new Jet.

[John McKissick]

I’m looking to get my first drill press and I’m not sure if I should get a benchtop or floor model for my small garage workshop. If I get a benchtop drill press I could build a moveable stand – an advantage given my space limitations – but I don’t know if it will be sufficiently versatile and powerful for amateur woodworking, e.g., building pieces of furniture, built-ins and cabinets for my house. A floor model might be more than I need, though, and would cost more. I’m looking at the Jet JDP-15B Benchtop 15″ drill press and the Jet JDP-17 17″ 3/4HP drill press. Both are currently on sale, the 15″ at $679 and 17″ at $849, but the 15″ is out of stock with a delivery date of late July. There is also a 15" floor version, JDP-15, going for $764. A prior version of the 15″ benchtop, the JDP-15M, was rated Best Overall in a 2007 FWW tool review.
My questions:
1) Is it worth the extra $85 or $170 (plus tax) to get either of the floor models?
2) Does anyone have experience with a Jet drill press?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or recommendations.

Is the model you are looking at have the abilty to rotate the head 90 degrees on the post? If so, you can properly weight the portable stand and rotate the head to have a quasi floor model but will need to gin up a makeshift table. This sounds like a rare occurence so rigging something up shouldn'y be too time consuming

That's kinda my plan when I upgrade my old floor model

[Orlando Gonzalez]

I have the Jet JDP-15B in my 12x18 shed/shop on a mobile base. It works well and speed changes are not difficult. The only thing I wish it had was a quill lock since setting the depth can be cumbersome but not difficult.

[Curt Harms]

I'm somewhat space constrained as are many here. I have a benchtop drill press sitting on top of a 2 X 4 and plywood panel mobile base. That mobile base provides quite a bit of storage. I could swing the arm of the drill press if required. In 20 years that hasn't been required. If you go the benchtop route, be sure to fasten the drill press securely to the base. Something that no one has so far mentioned -- get the longest quill travel you can manage. Most drill press quills have around 3.5" of travel which I'm sure is plenty for metal working. There are some drill presses designed with woodworking in mind that have around 6" of quill travel.

[Bill Dufour]

Location?
Buy a used dp with a three phase motor. If it is three phase it is almost always going to be better then most new stuff today. Add a 75$ VFD and get variable speed. being three phase the used dp should go pretty cheap in the USA. When loading the dp lower the table and head as far down as possible.
Bill D

[Thomas Canfield]

It was mentioned that a floor model usually will have more distance to column and longer quill travel. Both of those factors are big. More quill travel allows drilling different thicknesses without a lot of adjustment of table height in addition to drilling deeper. I recommend getting the best floor model you can afford (up to a point) now to avoid wishing you had done so in future. A woodworking drill press table is also a good addition and can be homemade. I built a "skirt" to go around the base of my floor model and hang items on both inside and outside. I also built a rack for pen turning containers that sit under the drill press table in normal position. I have only had to remove skirt a couple of times to drill something really big that I needed to lower the table down to floor, but do not regret have the other features of a floor model. Current floor model has 3 pullies to adjust speed requiring removing belts to restack order at times to get the correct speed. It is not that difficult, but the variable speed units look attractive, only more $$ and possible maintenance. A quill lock and depth stop should be on any model you select.

[Carroll Courtney]

I don't see the difference in taking up space,either on a cart that you make or on the floor or bench. But with floor model you will never say I should have. It would be nice if changing speeds was easier say like on an older Rockwell or Powermatic. You should also think about vice and one of those lateral vices,which will help keep you from saying" I can hold it" Don't know nothing about the Jet,but lots of people like them.

[Andy D Jones]

The Nova Viking benchtop drill press is only a little over the OP's apparent price range, but is worth a look. I have its big brother Voyager, and really like it.

One thing I have found is that the easier it is to find and use the right drill speed, the more likely you are to do so. I used to just leave the old step-pulley DP at a mid-range speed and make do in most cases. That usually worked OK, but sometimes not, and seemingly at just the wrong times. The Nova DPs have easy to use menus where you select the drill bit type, diameter, and workpiece material, and it sets the speed for you. You can adjust from there if needed, but I haven't needed yet. You can also just dial in the speed before you start, and/or adjust it on the fly. You can also save a few favorite speeds for quick recall.

They have many other safety and convenience features too.

-- Andy - Arlington TX

[Bill Dufour]

My Walker Turner 20" dp is set on the middle belt speed. I have not changed that in 10 years. I probably should have a few times. The VFD range is 30-80 HZ. 6" stroke, crank lift table. Do not buy the walker turner 15" DP and try to get bearings. the 20" uses standard ball bearings.
Bill D

[Bill Dufour]

I think this one is for sale near your posted location. only $700 for six of them. Keep one and sell the others
Bill D.
https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/tls/d/elk-grove-village-drill-press/7130002173.html

https://salem.craigslist.org/tls/d/keizer-delta-standing-drill-press/7131000545.html (https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/tls/d/elk-grove-village-drill-press/7130002173.html)

[Pete Staehling]

The key factors here are the depth between the center of the tooling to the column of the machine and the vertical travel of the quill. Both of these items affect what work can be done with a drill press. Benchtop machines typically have more limits in these dimensions than floor drill presses. And while it's true that a benchtop can live...on a bench...the effective floor space is essentially the same for both a benchtop and a floor model if you put the former on some kind of mobile stand. The bottom line...the kind of work you want to do is going to determine what you choose. My first...and only...drill press was/is a Jet floor standing model that I've had since 2000 when I setup my shop. It's the only remaining machine from that initial buy as there's been no need to upgrade it other than putting a woodworking friendly table/fence on it.
Your first point (the depth between the center of the tooling to the column) is the one that I have found most frequently to be limiting. The second (the vertical travel of the quill) is something I can usually work around. Additionally I have sometimes wished the table could drop lower. That actually isn't all that rare of a wish.

Floor models don't necessarily get you better dimensions on these features though. In some cases there are a floor and a bench top with identical dimensions other than whether it is a floor or bench top form factor. In the case of mine the floor model would have been identical otherwise I really would regret choosing the bench top. As it is I only mildly regret it. As it is, if buying today, I'd buy a more "industrial strength" floor model.

One thing that folks haven't mentioned... A floor model might actually have a smaller footprint in many cases since the stands folks build are typically bigger than the bases that come with floor models.

A feature I'd consider really nice would be easy speed change. Moving belts is a pain and I am lazy so I am often at the wrong speed for the task at hand. A VFD drill press would be great for someone who, like me, is too lazy to swap belts to the correct pulleys for the speed needed.

[Derek Arita]

My DP is the most used machine in my garage shop. I use it for WW, metal working, clock restoration, etc. Get the best floor model you can afford, with the longest spindle or quill travel. If you can, get an electronic variable speed...best thing I ever did. If you stretch your budget now, this could be the only DP you'll ever buy and you'll save a lot of $ not having to buy and sell your way up. Good luck and happy hunting.

[Jim Becker]

Your first point (the depth between the center of the tooling to the column) is the one that I have found most frequently to be limiting. The second (the vertical travel of the quill) is something I can usually work around. Additionally I have sometimes wished the table could drop lower. That actually isn't all that rare of a wish.

Floor models don't necessarily get you better dimensions on these features though. In some cases there are a floor and a bench top with identical dimensions other than whether it is a floor or bench top form factor. In the case of mine the floor model would have been identical otherwise I really would regret choosing the bench top. As it is I only mildly regret it. As it is, if buying today, I'd buy a more "industrial strength" floor model.

One thing that folks haven't mentioned... A floor model might actually have a smaller footprint in many cases since the stands folks build are typically bigger than the bases that come with floor models.

A feature I'd consider really nice would be easy speed change. Moving belts is a pain and I am lazy so I am often at the wrong speed for the task at hand. A VFD drill press would be great for someone who, like me, is too lazy to swap belts to the correct pulleys for the speed needed.

It's true that a floor model doesn't guarantee larger capacities, but for the most part, it's about the only way to actually get them without going with a radial DP and that brings other kinds of complications. As to quill travel, there have been times when I've wished for a little more than the very generous amount that my Jet 17" provides.

I think that the only complaint I have about my particular drill press...and would be one shared with most of them...is that there's nothing to keep a rectangular table aligned with the quill center when cranking the height up and down. It doesn't matter as much with the round metal table that's standard on the machine, but once it's equipped to better serve woodworking needs with a larger, rectangular table and fence as is typically the case, it moves around a lot while unlocked for cranking to height using the rack and pinion system that most of them use.

[Zachary Hoyt]

I like being able to spin the table around the column on the one here, I can move it about 45 degrees to have the bit come down about 1/2" from the edge of the round table for drilling tuner holes, or I can push the table completely out of the way so I can stand a guitar under the quill to drill and ream the endpin hole. I guess it all depends what you're mostly doing with it.

[Larry Kear]

Thanks to all for the great comments and information. As I mentioned, I've never used a DP before so your replies have been extremely helpful in understanding what to consider and look for in a DP.

I'm leaning towards the Jet 15" floor model, partly just because it's in stock (the 15" benchtop or 17" floor are backordered until late July). All of my projects in progress/upcoming should not be hindered by the relative short 3 1/8" quill travel. Murphy's Law, however, dictates that as soon as the 15" arrives I'll need the 5" quill travel of the 17" model. I still may go with the 17" - July will be here before you know it.

BTW, the Nova Viking looks like a really sweet DP, but shipping is extra at both Rockler and Woodcraft which pushes the price to almost $1,100 plus tax - sadly too far over budget for me.

Thanks again.

[Andy D Jones]

I saw somewhere (some wheelwright on youtube) where the guy had a benchtop drill press mounted backwards at the front of a workbench (the column was near the front of the bench), and he swing the head around to use it like a floor-standing drill press. Of course the table-quill distance was still limited, even when swung around to the front of the bench, but he used other fixtures to hold things in front of the bench.

-- Andy - Arlington TX

[Dave Sabo]

The Viking has shipping included at ACME, and is only a c-note higher than your budget. Worth the xtra down the road certainly.

Rub is, it's outa stock at many places. Word has it that a container of them is coming next month.

[Carroll Courtney]

I think this one is for sale near your posted location. only $700 for six of them. Keep one and sell the others
Bill D.
https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/tls/d/elk-grove-village-drill-press/7130002173.html

(https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/tls/d/elk-grove-village-drill-press/7130002173.html)https://salem.craigslist.org/tls/d/keizer-delta-standing-drill-press/7131000545.html

Bill what are those use for, I have seen them with 3 in roll mounted on one heck of a table. But don't have clue of their purpose

[Christopher Herzog]

Wish I would have gotten a 1hp or higher model. Mine occasionally is underpowered.