" 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