The drill press or pillar drill is a tool that works by making holes in different types of surfaces. Most of the time, it is used in multi-purpose machine shops and works with one spindle.
If multiple holes are to be made, more spindles will be required to make those holes identically, accurately, and simultaneously.
The drill presses are essential for any woodworker who needs to improve the quality of his work and boost his project’s overall performance.
We recommend drills that are made with quality materials and have proven time and time again that they are reliable and will get the job done many times over. We will cover the Jet drill press in this article.
About JET Tools
For over 60 years, JET Tools has been the premier manufacturer/supplier of metalworking tools and machinery.
Founded in 1958 as a chain hoist and cart company, Jet Tools has grown over the decades and now designs and manufactures its lines of power, hand, and shop tools. Its commitment to quality, innovation, and reliability has allowed Jet Tools to become one of the most sought-after tools in the market today.
While the color of the Jet brand and tools has changed over the years from blue to green to orange to the white you see today, their goal of creating high-quality tools and equipment has not changed.
Whether for a professional workshop or a home hobbyist, the JET drill press has become synonymous with quality. JET backs up that reputation with top-notch service and some of the best warranties in the industry.
JET J-2530
The J-2530 bench model drill press is recommendable for anyone looking to purchase a drill press for the long haul. Its build quality is sturdy and, it comes with a ¾ HP motor; this machine will last you quite a while.
It is rated to run on 115V. So you can plug it into any traditional wall outlet. Right out of the box, the instructions are commendable and well designed.
You’ll have no trouble finding your way around this tool. All the parts are pre-lubricated, and you should have no trouble assembling the unit.
The sixteen-speed settings make this one of the most versatile drill presses on the market. The quill stroke is quite deep, thanks to its large size. It allows for much deeper holes to be drilled without tiring. The speed varies from 200 to 3630 rpm.
Also, the sturdy support column helps support the drill itself as well as your swivel workbench. Yes, this unit comes with a swivel workbench, tilting up to 45 degrees on either side.
JET J-A5816
The Jet J-A5816 offers a 1 HP motor, this unit is suitable for the raw drilling tasks you have on hand. From this variant, we see the inclusion of a handy little display that shows how fast your spindle is turning. This unit ensures a clean, precise hole from start to finish with a solid 2.25-inch sleeve that guarantees a much more secure hold on the bit.
The 3-inch column provides optimum rigidity for head support. We highly recommend this unit for more industrial applications.
The rigor and rigidity don’t stop there since this model has complete bearing support. This ensures greater rigidity and a better drilling experience overall. Need to create deeper holes? The 6-inch stroke should come in handy.
It features a 12.5 x 14.5-inch worktable. Moreover, the swivel head can rotate 360 degrees so you can drill in any orientation. Also, the pulley system that allows you to change the speed level of rotation makes the drilling process even easier.
Jet JWDP-12
The Jet 716000 JWDP_12 comes with high-quality materials in the construction, resulting in a tool that is both sturdy and pleasant to the touch.
An LED light has been included, which helps improve visibility during the drilling process. The well-proportioned buttons allow easy access and give the entire product a more substantial look.
The base is rotatable and, its position can suit the user’s needs. Constructed of iron, it adds rigidity and support to the entire unit. The casters located under the base give it a great solidity.
The casters under the base allow for more storage, making it portable and easy to reassemble and use.
It also has an induction motor. The variable-speed selector prioritizes efficiency, which means you never miss a beat in the middle of drilling, and you can be sure you’re saving energy.
JET JDP-20MF
The Jet JDP-20MF uses a 12-speed, ½ HP motor for this unit. And the speed settings range from 150 RPM to 4200 RPM. This helps to drill a variety of materials with different degrees of hardness. You can be sure you’re drilling a perfect hole every time, with minimal waste.
This drill press also uses an adjustable motor mount. Assisted by a pulley cover and a metal belt, it allows changing the speed of the spindle depending on the task at hand.
It also comes with a rotating worktable. It can be tilted to either side up to 45 degrees, allowing to do angled drilling when the need arises.
Jet 3 IDP-22 Industrial Drill Press
The JET IDP-22 354301 industrial drill press features a 1-1/2 hp motor and, it has 12 speeds from 175 to 3,050 rpm. It will be a great help if your project involves large workloads.
In addition, the JET 354301 has a sturdy construction and a specific design that helps improve stability. The Jet 354301 is one of the best drill presses available on the market.
Moreover, the industrial drill press is a unique blend of precision, stability, and versatility. Plus, it comes with a 2-year warranty.
Not only is the machine CSA/CUS certified, but it is equipped with an oversized table that gives you an exceptional drilling experience and the best result.
Jet Jdp-15B Drill Press
The JETJDP-15B 716200 is a 15-inch drill press with a spindle stroke of 3-1/8 inches. This drill press comes with a high-performance motor that produces speeds between 210 and 3,500 rpm. In addition, it is equipped with a switch that features a safety key and a big paddle-style stop button for trouble-free operation.
This drill comes with a large 12-1/2 x 17″ precision floor work table that features two T-slots and 4 table slots to help you accommodate any project.
In addition, the machine has a unique design and is bulky and impressive.
The JET 716200 is equipped with LED lighting and performs very well when drilling large holes, i.e., holes of 3 inches and more. Of course, the worktable is large and makes clamping quite easy. The drill comes with an impressive chuck capable of holding drill bits from 1mm to 16mm.
JDP-17 Drill Press
The Jet JDP-17 is one of a kind, featuring a heavy-duty cast-iron head and a poly belt drive system. In addition, it has 5″spindle travel and comes with a built-in LED light to provide direct illumination.
Not only that, but the Jet JDP-17 also comes with a large 14 x 19″ worktable capable of providing plenty of support with an edge designed for easy clamping. We also wrote a review about the JET 17.
JDP-17MF Woodworking Drill Press
The JET JDP-17MF is a perfect drill press for woodworkers and comes with 16 speeds. Plus, it has an adjustable tension spindle return spring, making it ideal for repetitive drilling to the same depth. To cope with low-light situations this drill has a built-in work light.
In addition, the stand-up drill is equipped with a 3/4-hour induction motor that is powerful enough to produce RPMs between 200 and 3630. The 13-3/4-inch worktable is large enough to accommodate most of your drilling needs and can tilt 45 degrees to the left and right to help you speed up angled drilling without any problems.
Finally, the 200 pound 354169 comes with a one-year limited warranty.
JET J-2550 Drill Press
The J-2550 drill press is a 20-inch, one-horsepower drill press that features a cast-iron head and a 45-degree tilting worktable. In addition, this 421-pounds drill press comes with a 2-year warranty.
It also features a large quill, a spindle stroke of 4-3/4 inches, and a drilling capacity of 5/8 inches for mild steel. On top of that, it is also capable of a 4-3/4-inch stroke, which would be a great deal in deep hole operations.
Like the other Jet models, it also comes with an accurate depth stop to help you determine the depth of the holes.
JET Drill Press Buying Guide
• Motor Power
If you frequently have to drill through thick iron and steel sheets, you certainly need a powerful motor. On the other hand, drilling in materials such as softwood requires less powerful motors. So, choose the power according to the requirements of your project.
• Model Type
The Jet drill press offers both the floor model and the bench model. Both models have their benefits and are meant to target end-customer segments.
For example, a floor model is ideal for complex, fast-paced, large-scale projects. Most floor models are large and generate a high and wide range of RPMs. Floor-mounted drill presses are very precise and accurate.
On the other hand, if you are a beginning woodworker, hobbyist, or do-it-yourselfer, a benchtop drill press is sure to meet the drilling needs of your project. The advantage of benchtop drills is their portability and compactness.
• The Worktable
It is advisable to choose worktables that are easily adjustable and can rotate. If your drill press work table can tilt 45 degrees, it will help speed up angled drilling.
• Speed Adjustment
Look for models that have an easy-to-use speed adjustment feature. Most drill press models have several speed settings to help you work on a wide range of materials.
If your drill press model has a wide range of speeds, you need to make sure that adjusting the speed takes less time and that even a novice driller can do it with little or no guidance.
• Depth Stop
If you’ve never heard of the depth stop, let me tell you that it’s an important feature and, your drill press should have one.
Not only does it help you, but it ensures that any openings you make are of the same depth. The importance of the depth stop comes into play when your project requires drilling a considerable number of holes of the same depth.
• Drill press head
Always look for drill presses with an adjustable head. The advantage of an adjustable head is that the customer can work on compound angles quite easily.
• Weight
The weight of your drill press influences parameters such as stability and portability. For example, benchtop models are generally portable and weigh less. On the other hand, floor models are bulkier and more stable.
• Extra Features
Always look for drill press models that come with essential accessories. For example, accessories such as a sturdy stand with wheels, drill press clamp, etc. are but a few of the features which should accompany your drill press kit.
In fact, for successful drilling, you need to choose the right bit and, if necessary, sharpen it as well. For example, high-speed steel bits are suitable for drilling most types of materials.
The benefit of high-speed steel is that it can withstand high temperatures. Another ideal drill bit is carbon steel for drilling wood so, avoid using it for drilling metals as they are more brittle and less flexible than high-speed ones.
Bottom Line
Hopefully, you enjoyed the extensive Jet Drill Press review and buying guide.
Jet drill presses are tools that every woodworking professional or hobbyist needs to consider adding to their tools. The Jet company has repeatedly proven it produces affordable, trusty, and user-friendly tools. You can choose to buy a JET bench drill or a JET floor drill according to your requirements and finances.
