Being a professional gunsmith, your priority should be to accomplish your projects accurately. For this purpose, the drill press seems the necessary tool. But not all drill presses are equally beneficial for gunsmithing. Hence gunsmithing is considered a delicate craft that requires high-end tools to do the job precisely.
There are tons of choices at your disposal, and finding the best one for gunsmithing is rather difficult. Therefore, save you from the most challenging research; our experts researched extensively to choose the best drill press with extra power and precision. Finally, we have listed down the 3 best drill presses for gunsmithing with extra power.
Drill Presses that Can be Used for Gunsmithing
Various types of drill presses are commonly used for gunsmithing. The frequently used drill presses are as follows:
1- Benchtop Drill Press
It’s a smaller, compact, and portable version of the drill press. It’s easy to set up on the workbench and doesn’t require extra space in your work area. It’s the best for smaller tasks. That’s why it’s considered a great partner for gunsmithing.
2- Floor drill press
The floor drill press is usually larger, with extra power appropriate for heavier material and heavy-duty applications. It supports larger drill bits that use particular bigger projects.
3- Radial drill press
This drill press comes with an adjustable arm that is capable of easily rotating to different angles. This rotation power makes it ideal for boring holes in hard-to-reach places. An informative post on radial drill presses is already written by me.
Best Drill Presses for Gunsmithing (2023)
1- WEN 4214T (Best Drill Press for Gunsmithing)
Main Specifications
- Maximum Rotational Speed: 3200 RPM
- Voltage: 120
- Amperage: 5 Amps
- Maximum Chuck Size: 0.63 Inches
In the power tool industry, WEN is like a game changer. It has been manufacturing reliable and accurate power tools for decades. WEN 4214T drill press is one of the most famous players that play precisely with the softest and hardest materials variably. It comes with a powerful 5.0 AMP induction motor that meets your gunsmithing requirements.
As far as the build quality is concerned, it’s engineered with durable and rugged material that lasts for years. Top of all that, it offers mechanical variable speeds by turning the speed adjustment lever. This lever allows you to adjust the speed from (580-3200)RPM according to your material density and requirement. Moreover, it’s equipped with a digital LED readout to keep you aware of the current speed. Additionally, this high-quality drill press has a depth adjustment gauge that facilitates you to adjust the spindle travel according to your required depth.
Above all, it consists of an onboard laser that helps you drill precisely by focusing on the targeted area. The cast iron base adds to its benchtop design and prevents the drill from wobbling and trembling while working. Despite its rich features, it’s available at a reasonable price, making it the best press for gunsmithy tasks, e.g drilling 80% lower.
Pros
- Mechanical variable adjustable speed.
- 17” extendable table roller.
- LED screen displays the speed at all times.
- The onboard laser exactly points out the target.
- Extra powerful induction motor.
Cons
- It comes in an unassembled form.
2- DEWALT (DWE1622K) Drill Press
Main Specifications
- Maximum Rotational Speed: 450 RPM
- Voltage: 240 Volts
- Amperage: 10 AMPs
- Maximum Chuck Size: 13 Millimeters
As a gunsmith, If you are looking for a versatile drill press for your intricate tasks like repairing, constructing, and crafting firearms, you wouldn’t go wrong by choosing the Dewalt DWE1622K drill press. During our testing, we fall in love with its magnetic feature. This incredible magnetic drill press allows you to drill large-diameter holes in metal materials 4x faster than conventional drills.
It comes with a 13mm quick chuck that is easy to handle and tool-free, changing the bit like a breeze. Moreover, the 10 AMPs induction motor contains the extra power to manage the drilling on the most rigid materials. Above all, this fabulous drill press supports alike whether you use a standard drill bit for softer materials or annular cutters for metal materials.
This well-built beast works amazingly for heavy-duty applications. In addition to the motor height adjustment tool, it also comes with multiple accessories DWE1622 Drill Press, Quick change 1/2-in keyed chuck, Safety chain, and Kit box.
Pros
- Dual variables of speed 300/450 RPM.
- Magnetic coolant bottle boosts productivity.
- Quick Change chuck technology.
- Offers maximum capacity beneficial for heavy-duty tasks.
- Supports standard bits as well as annular cutter
Cons
- A bit pricier for budget buyers.
3- JET JWDP-12 (716000) Drill Press
Main Specifications
- Maximum Rotational Speed: 3100 RPM
- Voltage: 115 Volts
- Amperage: 5 AMPs
- Maximum Chuck Size: 13 Millimeters
In terms of a reliable and durable benchtop drill press, JET JWDP-12 (716000) is top-of-the-line among its whole class. JET is a leading brand in the power tool industry that has been offering its services for the past 50 years to facilitate DIY enthusiasts and professionals of multiple industries. JET JWDP-12 (716000) is the best gunsmithing press due to its dozens of unique features. If you are an advocate of using the benchtop drill press, this jet (716000) is the right choice.
You can save workplace space, especially if the work area is congested. The iron base is fixed properly through bolts, preventing the drill from wobbling. This premium quality drill press comes with an X-shaped XACTA laser that enhances your drilling accuracy.
This superb drill press is outfitted with a retractable roller extension that offers assistance and fast workpiece adjustment. It features a robust depth stop that allows you to adjust the depth according to your task requirements. The 5 AMPs powerful induction motor offers variable speed rates from 530 to 3,100 RPM. you can adjust the required speed via a simple liver without any hassle.
Above all, the LED work light increases your productivity and visuality to drilling on the pin-pointed targets. Although it’s a bit expensive, its rich features make it the best bang for your buck.
Pros
- Excellent depth cutting with over 3-1/8″ spindle travel.
- Latest X-shaped XACTA Laser.
- Powerful ½ HP induction motor perfect for every material.
- Digital LED displays readout the speed.
- Easy to use variable speed lever.
Cons
- A bit heavy.
Factors to Consider Before Buying
There are a number of things to consider when purchasing a drill press for gunsmithing. Before finalizing the decision, bear the following things in mind:
1- Speed Settings
Speed setting plays a crucial role in accuracy and precision when working on multiple materials. You should look for the drill press that comes with a variable speed setting. The variable speed is easily adjustable with a simple lever. On plastic, wood, and soft material, you require slow speed. Contrarily, for metal materials, you need a higher speed rate.
2- HorsePower
Horsepower indicates how much power the motor produces. That’s why horsepower is an essential consideration because it enhances the performance of drill presses. Therefore, choose the drill press that has sufficient horsepower to meet your gunsmithing needs.
3- Table Size
The table size matters a lot, so consider it as well. The table size is as large as it would be enough to adjust the material size you usually work with. It would be incredibly beneficial for gunsmithing projects.
4- Power
The power of the drill press measures in watts. It indicates how much power the machine conceives from the wall output. The higher the watts, the better it performs. If you want to work on metal materials, you should choose the drill press with higher watts, up to 400.
5- On Board Light
On-Board light is a fantastic feature that the latest drill presses equip. The On-Board light is not only helpful in shady or dark places but also provides you with more vision and accuracy to your pinpoints. Consequently, go for the model that includes the laser guide/ON-board light to keep you focused on your target.
FAQ’s
1- What distinguishes a tabletop drill press from a floor-standing drill press?
The benchtop drill press is concise and portable, so it’s easy to set up on a workbench. It’s the best choice for those who have a congested workplace. Comparatively, the floor-standing drill press is heavier and bigger and offers stability for challenging drilling operations.
2- Can I use a conventional drill press for gunsmithing?
You can use a conventional drill press for gunsmithing but make sure it should equip with the appropriate features to meet the needs of gunsmithing projects. These features include higher HP, variable speed rating, proper chuck size, and higher watts.
3- What is the recommended chuck size for gunsmithing?
The recommended size for gunsmithing varies according to your work’s nature. If you want to work on small projects, you should opt for at least ½ inch. If you work on multiple materials with multiple drill bits, you should go for ¾ or ⅝ inches.
4- What should be the appropriate horsepower of a drill press for gunsmithing?
The appropriate horsepower of a drill press for gunsmithing should be at least ¾ HP. if you plan to work with harder or thicker metal materials, you should look for the drill press with ½ hp.
Conclusion
To accomplish your gunsmithing tasks precisely and accurately, you need a heavy-duty drill press. Therefore, the benchtop drill press stands out from the crowd that fulfills your gunsmithing requirements.
In this guide, we have declared the results of our extensive research to show you the right path. So, in light of our keen research, you can see things clearly. Go through the detailed specs and features of our top-rated picks plus the buying guide.
