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Versatility is the middle name for drill presses. For a household name like Jet, they have managed to incorporate that and so much more into their drill press products. No surprise as to why they make the top position in any of the review lists.
So, whether you are an existing Jet user or in the market for a new unit, we compiled a list of the best Jet drill press reviews for your ease of decision-making. Therefore, take a few, grab your snacks, and have a read.
5 Jet Drill Press Review in 2023
So, what are the units that made it to our Jet drill press recommendation list? We weighted in several factors when making the picks. Read on to find out!
Jet Bench Mortiser
Looking for a drill press variant from Jet on a very tight budget? Then look no further than the Bench Mortiser. Pretty much built with the home DIY shop in mind, the cast iron construction means that you can be knocking this one about quite a bit without having to worry about it giving up on you.
A very straight forward design, the Jet Bench Mortiser is as capable as it is user-friendly. We veterans highly recommend this if you are a rookie in the world of drill presses.
Stability is a strong point of this machine as the 7-1/2″ by 12-1/4″ base (made out of cast iron, nothing less) weighs in heavily and also serves as a mounting point for the worktable. The fence includes holes already cast in place, so all that you need to do is straight up bolt it down.
Let us talk a little bit about the motor. It is powered by 115V TEFC motor, delivering up to ½ to the spindle. TEVC stands for Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled.
The motor is encased in a generously finned steel case, further aiding its heat dissipation capabilities. This equates to the better overall efficiency and a long work life.
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JET J-2530
So now we get to the best-rated unit on our reviews list, the J-2530. This is recommended for anyone looking to acquire drill press for the long haul. Sturdy build quality and powered by a ¾ HP motor; this thing will last you quite a long time.
It is rated to run on 115V. Thus, we can just plug it into any traditional wall outlet. Out of the box, the instructions for operation is commendable and well thought out.
You would have no trouble finding your way around this tool. All the parts are pre-lubricated, and you should have no problems in assembling the unit.
Sixteen-speed settings make it one of the most versatile drills presses out there. The stroke of the quill is quite deep, courtesy of it being so large. This results in much deeper holes without breaking a sweat. The speed ranges from 200 RPM to up to 3630 RPM.
To our surprise, even at max RPM, the unit did not vibrate or wobble on its base. This is achieved courtesy of the strong support column that helps support the drill itself and also your pivoting workbench.
Yes. This unit comes with a pivoting workbench, tillable to up to 45 degrees on either side.
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Related Guide: WEN Drill Presses Review
JET J-A5816
Next up, we have a much higher performing unit from Jet, the J-A5816. With a 1 HP motor in tow, this unit is made for the tougher drill jobs you have lying around.
From this variant onwards, we see the inclusion of a handy little screen that displays the speed with which your spindle is rotating.
This unit ensures a clean, precise hole from start to finish by making use of a strong 2.25-inch quill that is guaranteed to hold on to the drill bit much more securely.
The 3-inch column provides optimal rigidity when it comes to head support. We highly recommend this unit for more industrial-scale applications.
The rigidity and stiffness do not end there. Full bearing support? Oh yes. This further ensures the stiffness and resulting in a much better drilling experience overall. Need to create deeper holes? The 6-inch stroke should come in quite handy.
They also included a moderately sized worktable at 12.5 x 14.5-inches. The winning feature? The head swivels. It can be swiveled a full 360 degrees so you can drill across any orientation. A pully system in order to change the RPM level makes the drilling process that much easier.
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Jet 716000 JWDP
Looking for something a bit more upscale? We have got your back. Introducing the 716000 JWDP from Jet, a more premium model that comes with a host of features that you can be sure will make the task of drilling, that much easier.
We could go on and on about all its features, but for the sake of conciseness of the review, we have sifted it all down to a few features that really push it ahead of the crowd. High-quality materials are used in the construction, resulting in a tool that feels quite sturdy yet premium to the touch.
They included an LED light that greatly aids in improving visibility when we get down to the drilling process. The well-proportioned knobs further aid accessibility and make the overall product feel more substantial.
The base is rotatable, and the position can be altered as per our needs. Constructed of iron, it adds further rigidity and support to the overall unit. The rollers beneath the base make it such that it can be further tucked away, making it portable and easy to reassemble and start using.
An induction motor powers this unit, which is different from most of the offerings available in the market. With prioritization to efficiency, the varying speed selector makes it so that you never miss a beat mid-drill, and you can be sure you are saving energy.
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JET 354170/JDP-20MF
Do not wish to settle for anything less than the absolute best that Jet has to offer? Let us make our acquaintances with the 354170 or the JDP-20MF Jet.
They are the same offering, just named differently for sale across different regions. Top of the line specs with top of the line build quality, this Jet is the one to watch out for.
The company makes use of a 12 speed, ½ HP motor for this unit. And the speed settings go as low as 150 RPM all the way up to 4200 RPM. This helps us to drill through a variety of materials with varying degrees of hardness. You can be sure that you are drilling in the perfect hole every time with minimum wastage.
Also, the unit makes use of a motor mount that can be freely adjusted. Further aided by a pully cover and a metal belt (hinged), this ensures the fly modification to the speed of our spindle according to the task at hand.
Did we mention that the unit comes with a rotating work table? Well, it does. Given the price point, it is basically a must at this point. It can be beveled to either side to up to 45 degrees, allowing us to do angled drillings whenever the need arises.
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What to Look for before Buying
Drill presses come in all shapes in sizes. Some are made for DIY, while others have more heavy-duty industrial applications. Regardless of the applications, there a select few things we must keep in mind before we make that leap of purchase.
Worktables
Try and acquire a drill press that comes with an appropriately sized worktable. This makes it easier to drill through a variety of materials in a host of different sizes.
Worktable Tilt
So, you chose a drill press with a worktable. Excellent. Now let us take it one step further and make sure that it tilts. Standard ones tilt to about 45 degrees on either side while the more premium models can have worktables that tilt to up to 90 degrees.
Design
Of course, we would not go for a unit before taking a closer look at its design. Work out the footprint the drill will occupy on your workbench.
Speed Levels
It is wiser to invest in a drill with adjustable speed levels. That way, you can drill into a variety of different materials, should the need arise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are the most commonly asked queries regarding the best drill presses from Jet:
Do I need any protective gear when operating a drill press?
Of course. Eye protection is an absolute must. Do not wear any jewelry or any loose clothing for that matter, when operating a drill press.
Can you adjust the speed while the drill is in operation?
No, you cannot, and you should not for safety reasons. You could either end up jamming the drill or, worse, have bits and sparks fly off and hit you or others around you.
Are drill presses high maintenance?
Not quite. A good brush down after every use is enough that should see you your drill press lasting a while.
Final Words
So, there you have our top 5 Jet drill press reviews. We took into account several factors that made each of these units stand out from the rest. And we hope you had something to gain after having a go at this article.