How important is a drill press? I mean, it's such a boring tool. 

Almost every woodworking group online (Facebook groups, reddit, etc.) end up full of posts about about this brand or that brand being better or worse. I like that your videos almost never touch on that. Instead it's here's a 20 year old tool and why its useful

You managed to stay genuine and down to hearth despite your tremendous ytube success, that's very very rare. Hats off to you my good sir.

Back to the basics, this is what grabbed my attention when I first found the channel years ago. Still draws me in!

I'll add that the drill press is one of the few stationary tools in a woodshop that can be used for other materials (like plastics and metals) safely without any modifications to the machine. That alone makes it a very useful tool.

Perfectly straight holes, and having the power to use large forstner bits are the main benefits IMO.

Hey steve, i have to say that if my teachers were half as good as you i would have actually paid attention at school😂 I've watched a lot of your video's and learned so much. Thank you, and keep doing what you do👊🏻

My wife surprised me with a Ryobi Drill Press for the holidays this year and then you drop this video drops the next day… serendipity?!

Amazing Ryobi advertising) Thank you, Steve. Really happy to find you on youtube. From Russia with love.

I was a fan way back but I’ve been off the grid for about ten years and I pop back in and you have almost 2 million followers 🔥 Nice.

The only thing I would add is including dust collection with the fence. Best thing I ever did. You can get one from Rockler or make your own. Well worth the money or effort!

One nice addition to a table is a sacrificial and replaceable center section.

Per Almered's music is back! Really cool and upbeat.

Thanks Steve!

I remember when buying my first drill press I was totally unexcited by the prospect of acquiring this basic cornerstone of any wood-shop. I was almost by depressed as I brought it home and set it up. These emotions quickly disappeared over the next week as I discovered the myriad of advantages it offered me in my work. I have since added a second one dedicated to metalwork and if I had the space I would add half a dozen more all dedicated to specific repetitive activities such as mortising or cutting bungs, etc. The drill press is the most versatile boring machine you will ever acquire.

If you’re buying a drill press, try to get one like Steve’s that has a “rack and pinion” crank for raising/lowering the table. Many (like mine) don’t and it’s impossible to lower the table and maintain alignment with the fence. Note that the 1/16” drill used for pilot holes is much shorter than a 1/4 or 1/2” drill bit, thus requiring the table to be lowered.

The depth stop (in combo with a Forstner bit) can be very useful for hogging out mortise and tenon slots as well. You can use the precision of the drill press to scoop away ~90% of the material you need and then clean up the holes with chisels, files, sandpaper, etc. By far the best advantage though, is the repeatability of a drill press. A lot of woodworking doesn't require perfectly machined parts, but usually you DO need multiple parts the exact same size and with the same hole patterns for joinery or fasteners.

Steve you're amazing. It's 4pm here in Australia and you've already had over 40,000 views. I've been watching for the past couple of years and learned so much. I hope you had a great Christmas Day and all the best for a safe and happy 2022.

This is super helpful to me... I'm only just starting out with woodworking but I have a drill press that I inherited from my dad. Seeing your table with fence means I can actually contemplate how I can use it. Thank you!

Not gonna lie, I see a drill press as that one tool you should have in a shop that's there for when you need it and you'll be glad you have it. It's not gonna do as much as your table saw, but when you need to punch out 36 peg holes for a book self to a depth of no less than .25 inches I'll take a drill press any day compared to doing that shit by hand.

Thanks Steve. I've had this same drill press I bought second hand maybe 10 years ago and I'll be using it more often now that you've shown me some of the additional features it does like sanding. Love your channel.

Awesome tips, Steve! Thanks a lot! 😃 Merry Christmas! And stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

You are still the best resource for new, hobby-level and above wood workers. Pros can learn a lot from you too. Woodworking is one thing, teaching is another. Please keep doing it your way- A grateful subscriber.

Great content with a bit of dad jokes thrown in - outstanding!

Timely video. I used mine this morning making some wooden bushings. The need for a table and fence became evident as I lined up my 1st centered hole. Haven't used my forster bits in a while. I was glad the 1" one was still sharp.

Love this and Love your podcasts!!!!!

Drill press Its one of my unsung heroes always there and saves the day when needed

Not only does it make "Boring" tasks easier and accurate -- it makes them pretty "straight" forward....

I just watched your Router 101 Basics from 10 years ago....im so glad you've stopped moving about so quickly on camera...you gave me headache trying to watch you🤣🤣 Your videos are excellent! Extremely informative, clear, love how you don't try to hide the mistakes you make (not that you make many). Keep the videos coming. Take care, stay safe, and thank you.

Great video, Steve. Have a happy new year!

I just got one second hand from a family friend! This video is so timely!! 😀

I just want to take the time to say thank you for all the time it takes you to make these videos not only the hours editing and conceptualizing them. It must be a challenge to put yourself in the shoes of what you think your viewers would like to see . You’re my hero brother I watch all your videos over and over again. A friend once told me “ you don’t have any idea the amount of people you make and impact on “. So keep on truck brother thanks so much for your videos and effort . In the end yours add up to the most valuable . We all appreciate and I’m sure you’ve changed Families and I mean families lives before with your work / art/ info/ Channel🏆

The drill press is one of the most used pieces of equipment in my shop. It’s right up there with my table saw.

This is quite timely since I just got one for Christmas!!!

The drill press 'size' is double the reach to indicate the center of a circle that it can drill to. Why they don't use the same terminology as with bandsaw who knows. I think you're right and it's just a manufacturers advertising gimmick to make the tool seem larger than it is. Good drill presses can be found on many of local sale sites. I have found three very good benchtop and floor model drill presses on CL over the years. They bring premium prices right now because it takes so long to get anything new. But a 12" benchtop drill press in very good condition should be less than $200 and that amount will usually get you something of better quality than new. Most important if you buy used is make sure you get the chuck key with it because it can be difficult to find the correct size key. Without a chuck key knock $50 off the price before you evaluate anything else about it.

I agree with you 100%. I bought one for my first shop years ago, and I can't believe how much I use it, and yes some sort of table/fence system is absolutely key. Thanks for continuing to help people get started in this craft!

Hi from Adelaide. Thank you, I learn so much off you and your channel.

I got a drill press back when I used to build wooden model planes, but I've used it for many other projects and materials. It's a handy tool to have in the shop.

Great advice, already have one but it’s still in the box. My daughter and I are setting up our shop in the basement. Appreciate your skills and willingness to share

I made your fence system a long time ago and it was easy to make and is perfect for my uses. I have the Wen bench top drill press and it has been indispensable.

thanks steve

Thank you for making this video (and all you others). Your videos are very informative and commonsense. You've reignited a hunger to woodwork!

Love your videos Steve, thank-you for sharing and Happy Holidays to you and yours🤘🙌😄💥

Very interesting question! I really want one. Top marks for the boring jokes.

Always giving us very good and useful videos no matter your skill level 👍 Thanks for all that you do Steve.. You help us in so many ways

Ive come to the point where i need a pillar drill (drill press) and this vlog has shown me thing i need to consider in my purchase. Thanks🙂👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

This tool is awesome! I don't know why it isn't a woodworking staple for more people and I learned something new. Using the press as a sander is brilliant!!! There are about a million unusual things I can sand now. A little advice, spend the money and get a press that can go down to at least 500 rpm. I tried to save money and got the 750 rpm and now I already need to buy a new press.

i LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!! thank you for the years and years of giving us your knowledge!!

20 years old? It's just a baby, my floor model Delta was made in 1940. Still as good as the day it left the factory.

Nice video Steve, merry Xmas and a happy new year.

Happy New Year to you and yours

Thank you for this video. This is the type of videos that I like to see you do. I have a drill press similar to the one in your video but I never knew about being able to sand with it, very interesting thank you

My drill press is close to 20 years old. It’s a Craftsman, no “fancy” adjustments like yours. Loosen collar to raise and lower, be sure to receneter the through hole… regardless for woodworking it is there when i need that “very” precise hole. For instance when making Pinewood derby cars with Cub Scouts, predrilling the axle holes to 5/32s is key for easy wheel alignment. I also use it as a press at times by closing down the shank to push tight fitting dowel pins into place… when I use it I am so happy I have it. Thanks for another informative video. Oh yeah never adjusted the speed belts… probably because it really hasnt been a problem

That drill bit drawer was so pretty and clean. Great video, thanks!

I think Steve is subtly trying to included his new fancy drill into each video. Love it

Of all the tools in my workshop this and the jigsaw are my favorite. Using them is super fun.

Love the back to basics! I’m pretty new to woodworking and I love learning the tools of the trade

Great video! Thanks!

Great Vid Steve. I have a drill press and use it fairly often, now to make the drill press table as my next project.

You covered the drill press very well. I have one about the size of yours and I really love having it. Like most power tools bigger is usually better and I rigged dust collection to capture the wood chips from using forstner bits.

Great video, Steve! A drill press is on my list of tools to get. Aside from all the things you talked about is the fact that there are times where it is much safer than trying to do the same job with a hand drill.

A drill press is very handy to have in a workshop - I have one - and value it even though its location is a bit awkward.

Really enjoyed the video Steve, thanks for the great content!

I currently have 4in thoat on my drill press and yeah it sometimes is an issue but not to often. I also use my table as the depth stop as I broke the plastic on on my harbor farts press. For finer adjustment I just move the drill bit then re chuck it. The drill press is the only tool that always is set up in my shop. Just so convenient and good at it's task. I make beer bottle openers with magnets makes it easy to batch out a step.

The reason for the "doubling" is most likely to indicate the diameter that you can reach every point of

I would love to have a drill press! Your clickbait game is on point with this video title. :D I certainly don't *need* the press, but I became real fond of them when my dad salvaged one when I was much younger.

Thanks Steve. Not a boring video at all. I love my 16" Delta floor drill press, use it a lot more than I originally thought. I have dedicated mortising machine and spindle sander, so no longer use these drill press attachments. Most of the time I keep the drill press speed at 1000 rpm, slower speeds (maybe 300 rpm) when cutting larger holes or harder materials like metal. SAFETY FIRST--Don't forget your safety glasses!

Definitely the most boring video I've watched today. 😁 I've had a Craftsman 9" benchtop drill press for a long time. It's incredibly useful for all the reasons you mentioned. My only complaint is that the 1/3 HP motor is underpowered and tends to bog down a lot. Of course I may not have the sharpest forstner bits either. I've been on the hunt for a larger one just to get more power. Thanks for sharing!

I watched this video because of the pun. Good info even for a metal worker. Keep up the good work

Love my drill press, dunno how I lived without one.

Great video as usual. A drill press is one of the first luxury tools I bought and found it to be so incredibly useful.

I never would have thought about the smaller drum sander as a option. Thanks!

I don't use mine as a drum sander anymore, but I do put an inflatable ball sander on it and smooth out the inside of bowls. Flexible pad sanders are great for the inside and outside of bowls. Both suck in a handheld drill! I made my own table and love having a fence. It makes repeating drilling a distance from the edge easy and repeatable. Plus I can't drill straight so it helps fix that XD

👍😎Thanks for the info!!!! I have the 8 inch from HF.

It's doubled because you can drill a hole anywhere on a board with the listed width. So if you have 6" of clearance, you can drill a hole anywhere on a 12" wide board (because you can spin the board around).

I’d say the most universally useful tool in the shop.

Thanks great video

I'd like to see you try out Garrett Wade's Portable Drill Guide Jig and see how it compares to a standard drill press for basic woodworking projects/tasks. I don't often need a drill press for my projects but sometimes I need to be accurate and consistent, especially with forstner bits. I think a good portable press fits my needs, budget, and most importantly, space/storage needs. Plus the portable nature can be useful for some deck projects and drilling accurate holes in beams on site.

For anyone like me an easy way to not lose the chuck key is to put it in the chuck after use.

I was actually thus morning looking at getting a press. What pops up? Steve's awesome advice

For your first drillpress look for the Bosh PBD40. It has electronic variable speed (no more belts to shift!), digital depth meter readout, laser, more power than needed and is cheap. Then when you're more experienced you still keep it because it's awesome.

I really like that table/ fence do you have a video on it? Edit: Already have the link in the description man that is awesome. Thanks

This is the content in here for. Love ya bro! 😎 And Merry Christmas! -peak river table

Spindle speed = (cutting speed of material) x (cutting factor of tool) x 4 / (diameter of cutter) But, as you said, it doesn’t matter THAT much. Erring on the slow side will help your bits last longer, but wood is pretty forgiving.

A laser alignment guide is very handy when you are making holes in varying places and the drill bit (or hole saw more likely) stops you from seeing where the point of the drill is at, without fiddling about with changing bits for a small one, hoping the job doesn't move out of place if you bump it putting the big bit back in....... One day I'll figure out how to get my add on one to work properly, I assume the ones that come built in to the drill press are easier to set up. One way to tell if a drill press is intended for woodworkers is the depth it can drill to without moving the table - woodworker's drill presses have a capacity of around 6 inches (150mm) while metal working presses may only have a capacity of 3 to 4 inches (I've seen 65mm,

I've been an avid woodworker for about 30 years and have wanted a drill press since I started. I've spent countless hours researching different models and always talk myself out of the purchase at the last second....."I've done so many projects with my regular drills do I need to spend $300+ ". It's a stupid battle within my head, maybe one day when I have a few extra dollars to spend I'll finally make the leap.

Really helpful video Steve, thanks. I'm working my way through your WWMM online course and really enjoying your projects and instruction. If you're taking requests, how about a similar video about bandsaws? Thanks again, keep up the good work!

Great video Steve, I’ve just subscribed.. I need to start using spindle sanders on my drill press! Very good idea, all the best Rob 🇬🇧

When dinosaurs roam the earth I remember watching another Steve Ramsey video on how to use a drill press.

I bought a drill press exactly like yours a couple weeks ago off marketplace for $85 in almost new condition.

The fence is a safety item also. I was cutting sheet metal years ago and the bit grabbed the metal and spun it and cut may hand. I either clamp things or use a fence now.

This is great, just bought my neighbors used drill press in a garage sale.

I'm not here to brag or flex, but that Powermatic 2820EVS has been a game changer for me. Yeah I know, waaaaay to expensive. But worth it. And I only use it 3 - 4 times a month.

This was one of the first tools that I purchased. Hardly use the hand drill any more. Would have liked to see you discuss the direct drive version.

I have the current ryobi, and it has a laser - even cheap drill presses nowdays come with a laser as its very inexpensive for companies to add and very helpful. I haven't ever used it with wood, though I have used it with aluminium to make holes for for arcade cabinet control bullons, when you need it its really handy!

The drill press = the table saw for holes.

My drill press is one of my most used tools. Definitely a must have.

Drill presses are incredibly useful. I find myself using it even for stuff I don't"need" it for and could use a hand drill. In my opinion one of the best advantages is the mechanical advantage the handle gives for downward pressure. Well worth the investment.

I've watched your channel for years, just noticed the slasher film references on the back wall.

For those shopping: Must have features - rack and pinion crank for raising and lowering the table while maintaining alignment, quality depth stop, a cast iron base and as Steve says, a MINIMUM of 10 inches on the throat or you won't be able to reach the middle of 6 inch stock and use a fence - I think 12 is pretty ideal for woodworking and takes up less space than 15, if space is a consideration for you. Good to have features - decently sized arms on the main crank (some jobs require a bit of force to be applied), a decent amount of travel (maximum depth of drilling), high quality table material so you never have to worry about warping. Useless features - laser guides (no extra precision here, and not precise enough for actual precision work) - mine has them, but I never turn them on. If you need precision, you're better off using a center punch and checking alignment by lowing the bit to the punch just like hand drilling. The laser lines can sometimes be slightly off, or can appear to be dead on when they are actually a hair off. Must have accessories - a table with a good fence (DIY like Steve's or shop around, I prefer a metal fence) Bottom line, if you decide to buy the cheapest model, it will get you drilling, but chances are you'll be looking for a replacement within a few months and the ones that will actually do what you want aren't that much more money, so you're better off saving a little longer and getting a good DP from the start.

Was just about ready to buy an 8 inch drill press but got a little hung up on your size recommendation. I was wondering: is that recommendation in part due to leaving space for your fence? And if so, do you think a split fence (perhaps held together with a piece of steel or maybe something underneath the drill press table) would be a good way to get back some of the swing? I also have one of those portable drill guides. My take on that is that, primarily for wider boards, it can help serve some of the same purposes as a drill press.