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.
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