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You need to drill holes in a variety of materials, but you don’t want to spend money on several different types of drills. Using a radial drill press for this is the right choice because it works with any material and is much more affordable.
The radial drilling machine is a drill head that can be mounted on an arm assembly and moved around to the extent of its arm reach. It can bore holes, countersink, and grind off small particles in masonry.
Nevertheless, how can one find the best radial drill press that is safe and produces good results? No worries! You’re in the right place.
In this article, we review the top 5 radial drill presses models. You’ll learn all about them in detail so you can make a sound investment. In addition, we also discuss how to select it correctly and care for it after each use.
Grizzly Radial Arm Drill Press
Shop Fox Radial Drill Press
Palmgren Radial Drill Presses
Top 5 Best Radial Drill Press Reviews
When you choose a radial drill press for your workshop, it’s important to look for a reliable one with good features. Here is our choice of the top 5 best models on the market:
1. Grizzly Radial Arm Drill Press
The Grizzly drill press is perfect for any workshop. This drill press has a large drilling capacity and comes with a variety of features that make it easy to use. It also has a durable construction that ensures lasting performance.
It has a powerful 1 HP motor that can handle even the most challenging projects. The drill press is also versatile, with both 110V and 220V options. This makes it an ideal workshop tool, no matter what country you are in.
Any workshop will benefit from this Grizzly Radial Arm Drill Press. It has a drilling capacity of 1-1/4″ steel and a spindle taper of MT #3. Plus, it’s made from durable material, so it can handle even the most strenuous projects.
With a swing of 45″, it can easily accommodate large pieces of wood, metal, or plastic. The drill chuck can handle bits as small as 1/64″ and as large as 5/8″. A powerful motor and heavy-duty construction make this drill press durable.
And with its 360° head swivel and 45° tilt, it is easy to get the perfect angle for any drilling task. Plus, its table slots allow you to use a variety of clamps for added stability.
Whether you are a professional contractor or a DIY enthusiast, this radial drill press is sure to be a valuable addition to your workshop. A Grizzly industrial radial drill press is perfect for any home or professional shop.
Highlighted Features:
- The spindle is MT3 with a 1-1/4″ maximum capacity
- Head swivels 360° with 45° of tilt
- Heavy-duty cast iron construction
- 1 HP, 220V/110V options available
- Drill chucks as small as 1/64″ and as large as 5/8″
2. Shop Fox Radial Drill Press
The Shop Fox radial drill tool is a great apparatus for any factory. Drilling in any direction is made easy with the radial arm design, and the tilting table allows you to work from any angle.
It features a powerful 1/2 HP motor that can deliver up to 5A of drilling power, making it perfect for heavy-duty applications. Additionally, the radial drill press has a sturdy material base and table that provide maximum stability and durability.
This Shop Fox Radial Drill Press has a height of 64-1/2″, making it a great option for anyone who needs a bit more space. It’s also very easy to use, making it perfect for beginners or experienced users alike.
With spindle travel of 3-1/4″, this radial arm drill press can handle even the most challenging tasks. Plus, its durable construction provides rigidity and stability, ensuring accurate results every time.
It has five speeds, which gives you plenty of control over the process, and a 5/8″ drill chuck, which is large enough for most tasks. This drill press is also very sturdy, so you can rely on it to get the job done.
A radial drill press or horizontal boring machine can be used with it. It allows you to bore to the center of a 34-inch wide workpiece due to its swing. It can be used with a spade bit at either 45° or 90° to the table.
Highlighted Features:
- Small footprint, at just 64.5 inches tall
- Large 5/8″ drill chuck
- Powerful 1/2 HP motor delivers up to 5A of power
- Tilting table allows you to work from any angle
- Sturdy cast iron base and table for maximum stability and durability
- Spindle travel of 3-1/4″ for challenging tasks
3. Rikon Radial Drill Press (30-140)
Rikon 30-140 drill press is perfect for the home mechanic or DIY enthusiast. This drill press offers radial drilling, which is ideal for drilling holes that are angled off-center. With its unique design, it can attach to any bench surface without clamps.
With five spindle speeds, it can handle any job. In terms of the RPM range, the radial drill press has a range of 620-3100. The Rikon Radial Drill Press (30-140) is perfect for the hobbyist or mechanic at home.
This drill press offers radial drilling, which is fantastic for jobs that are angled off-center. With its unique design, it can attach to any benchtop model without clamps that normally come with large industrial drill presses.
With a 1/3 HP motor, it provides plenty of power for all your needs. It also has a variety of features that make it easy to use, including a depth stop, adjustable worktable, and precision chuck.
You can adjust the width of the board easily by moving the head back and forth on the vertical arm. The radial drill press keeps your workpiece stable while the arm moves, preventing any unwanted movement.
The head can be tilted 45-degrees right and 90-degrees left, so you can get the perfect drilling angled holes for your project. With a height of 37 inches and a weight of 108 pounds, the 30-140 is a solidly built drill that won’t move when you’re drilling.
Highlighted Features:
- Radial drilling, perfect for angled holes
- Depth stop for accurate work
- 1/3 HP motor provides plenty of power for any job
- Head tilts 45 degrees left, 90 degrees right for the perfect angle
- Speeds range from 620-3100 RPMs
- Adjustable worktable, precision chuck
4. Rikon (30-251) Floor Radial Drill Press
This floor standing models is perfect for precision drilling in both wood and metal. It has a range of speeds to accommodate a variety of materials, and the tilting table makes it easy to get the right angle for your project.
The MT-2 spindle taper ensures a secure fit for drills and other accessories, while the large work table provides plenty of space to work. Spindle speeds range from 620 RPM to 3100 RPM, making it ideal for a variety of projects.
This Rikon (30-251) Floor Radial Drill Press is a great addition to any workshop. It has a 1/3 HP motor that can handle even the most challenging projects. With its precision and power, this tool is sure to make your work easier and faster.
The drill can be tilted 45-Degree right, 90-Degree left, allowing you to easily adjust the drill to the desired angled holes. With its powerful 1/3 horsepower motor, this drill press is perfect for even the most challenging projects.
This drill press is also very easy to use, and it comes with a variety of helpful features that make it the perfect tool for any project. Throughout the process, the large and spacious work table allows you to keep your materials in place.
With a height of 64 inches and a weight of 134 pounds, this drill press is sure to make your work easier. It also has a radial arm that pivots from the base, making it easier to get the perfect straight or angled holes for your project.
Highlighted Features:
- 1/3 HP motor with precision and power
- Head tilts 45-Degree right and 90-Degree left
- Spindle speeds range from 620 RPM to 3100 RPM
- Precise and powerful drill press
- Pivoting radial arm for angled drilling
5. Palmgren Radial Drill Presses
This Palmgren tool is a bench-mounted machine that drills holes in a radial pattern. As the drill bit is mounted on an arm, the drilling depth can be adjusted by extending or retracting the arm.
It has five speeds to choose from, and the step pulley system ensures accurate hole. The included depth stop makes it easy to get the right depth every time. These Palmgren Radial Drill Presses are perfect for any home workshop.
Palmgren drill presses are perfect for large or odd-shaped workpieces. A 45-degree tilt makes it easy to machine borings at any angle. Additionally, the extended reach and tilting drill head make the job quick and easy.
It features a cast iron head, table, and base, ensuring durability and stability. As the spindle is supported by high-quality ball bearings, it is smooth and easy to operate.
Rack and pinion table raisers offer easy table height adjustment for a wide range of applications. Users can start and stop the machine easily with the paddle on/off switch and the front-mounted safety switch.
The table tilts 45° in both directions, so it’s easy to adjust to the angle you need, and the base swivels 360° around the column, so you can easily clamp your workpiece in place.
With a table surface of 8-7/8 x 9 inches, a height of 37 inches, and a depth of 33 inches, this drill press can handle a wide range of projects.
Highlighted Features:
- Drills holes in a radial pattern
- 5 speeds to choose from
- Depth stop included for easy depth adjustments
- 45° tilt makes drilling at any angle quick and easy
- Cast iron spindle support ensures smooth operation
- Rack and pinion raisers offer easy height adjustment
- Includes a 1/2 inch chuck and a key for easy bit changes
These are our top picks for the best radial drill presses. Each of these offers great value and is easily affordable for most budgets. All you do now is choose the one that most closely matches your own preferences.
Buying Guides for the Best Radial Drill Presses
To choose the right drill press for you, there are a few things to consider. It is necessary to think about the type of projects you plan on doing, as well as any unique features that may be included with your purchase.
The following considerations will help you find the right drill press for your needs:
Material of Machine
Material is one of the most important considerations when purchasing a drill press. For example, materials like cast iron are more likely to remain stable during the drilling process.
This makes them better suited for heavy duty projects involving tough material. In contrast, materials like aluminum are lighter and easier to move around. However, these machines might not be able to handle the same level of pressure.
Depth Capacity
The depth capacity is another crucial factor to consider when choosing a drill press. You want to make sure that you can get deep enough for your projects without having any problems with your machine.
Thus, you should check the maximum depth that your drill press can handle. If this depth does not fit your needs, then try a model with a higher depth capacity.
Power of Machine
The drilling power is also another factor to consider. You will need a machine with enough torque to handle whatever you plan on working on.
Thus, we would recommend getting a drill press with at least 1/3 horsepower and variable speeds so you can match the RPMs to the right conditions.
Number of Speeds
The number of speeds on your drill is important when thinking about projects like plating or drilling in hard metals like stainless steel. Different drill bits require different RPMs.
Thus, having a drill press with several speeds will give you the ability to tackle a number of projects in different scenarios.
Machine Type Capacity
When it comes to the type of machine, you have a few options. There are vertical and horizontal drill presses. Vertical press machines use a column while horizontal presses use a base.
There are also several different types of machines within each category, so this is another factor to consider when choosing your ideal drill press.
Safety Features
It is important to consider the safety features when shopping for your drill press. This includes the presence of a front shield, start switch, and lock on button in addition to any other safety precautions that are included in your purchase.
Some machines have an auto-tension feature that keeps everything running smoothly without putting too much pressure on your drill bits.
Shaft Distance (swing)
The distance from the center of the top shaft to the center of the chuck is known as swing. This factor determines what kinds of objects you will be able to drill in your drill press.
Typically, a machine with a larger shaft distance can handle longer pieces of material because it does not have to reach quite as far into the base.
Base Insert Mount
The base inserts on a drill press will help to stabilize the drill while you work. This is extremely important, as it could potentially prevent accidents from occurring if it shakes while drilling.
A number of different materials can be used for this part, but steel and cast iron are considered the best because they offer a lot of stability.
Chuck Size
The chuck is the part of the drill press that holds your drill bit in place. The most common sizes for this type of machine are 3/8 inch or ½ inch.
However, you should make sure to check the size of your chuck before purchasing a drill press because it could prevent you from using certain bits in your machine.
Variable Speed
Having the ability to control your drill press speeds is an important safety feature. If you are unable to slow down while drilling, it can cause injuries or even break your drill bit.
Thus, any tool with variable speeds would be best for these types of projects. This way you will be able to adjust your RPMs based on circumstance and material.
Height Adjustment
Having the ability to adjust your machine’s height is another important safety feature. This will allow you to work on all different kinds of projects with ease. Thus, you should make sure your machine has the ability to adjust before purchasing it.
Non-slip Feet
The stability of a drill press is important for safety reasons. Slipping feet, on the other hand, help your equipment to remain stable while you work. This is very beneficial since it helps prevent accidents from occurring.
A machine with non-slip feet will give you peace of mind that it won’t slip or slide away from you.
Mobility
Next, consider how mobile your drill press needs to be. For example, if you plan on using it in one place mostly, then you will want to get a solid machine that doesn’t move or slide around while operating.
However, if you plan on moving your press every so often, then mobility is an important factor. Thus, any portable drill press would be best for this type of project.
With all of these factors in mind, you should be able to purchase a new radial drilling machine for your needs.
Types of Radial Drill Press
There are mainly two types of the radial drill press. They are stationary or floor radial drill press and benchtop radial drill press.
1. Stationary or Floor Radial Drill Press
Stationary or floor radial drill press has a vertical spindle which requires more space and it is not portable. The machine is very heavy-duty and needs to be bolted down onto a concrete floor for maximum stability.
2. Bench Top Radial Drill Press
The second type of radial drill press is benchtop radial drill press. This bench top radial drill press is lightweight and easy to move from one place to another.
The benchtop drill press is perfect for small workshops and apartments. A benchtop drill press is smaller in size as compared to the stationary or floor radial drill press.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is a number of questions that people have been asking about best radial drill presses. These questions range from safety concerns to queries on features and specs.
1. What Is the Advantage of a Radial Drill Press?
They’re generally strong and can turn large drilled diameters. More advantages are:
Swing Size: It is not necessary to change the position of the drill press when you want to do large diameter hole.
​Shaft Motion: The radial drill machine can rotate around the vertical axis. This rotational feature is not available in most of the benchtop drill presses.
​Angles: When you want to drill a hole at an angle, it is easier with radial drill press machine.
​Versatility: This equipment is employed for a wide range of applications like material cutting, polishing, grinding, and sanding.
​Stability: The stand to support the radial drill press is strong enough so it can withstand a heavy load.
2. When Would You Use a Radial Drill Press?
A standard drill press is a versatile tool for many different applications. They can be used for countersinking, bore holes, and grinding off small particles in masonry works.
The adjustable arm drill presses are available in both floor mounted and bench mounted designs, thus they can be adapted to fit most workspaces.
3. What Do You Use a Radial Arm Drill For?
Typical engineers use the Radially arm machine for large material and occasionally milling tasks, while the radial drill operator has the advantage of bolting the machine into its position and moving it with ease.
The arm also allows the Radial drill to rotate in an arc, in order to enable access to otherwise inaccessible surfaces. The surface accessibility is provided by moving the workpiece along the arm rather than the drill rotation.
4. What Is the Special Features of the Radial Drilling Machine?
Radial machines are unique in that they offer a 360-degree range of motion for the drill, which allows users to drilling holes in any direction.
Additionally, because the radial arm can be raised and lowered, users can easily adjust the height of the drilling head to ensure that it is always properly aligned with the workpiece.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, radial arm drill presses are one of the most powerful and versatile drilling machines that can be used as per the application requirement.
As there are different types of options for stationary and benchtop drills in the market, it is important to consider various factors such as space availability, job type, budget, etc. before deciding on the best radial drill press for you.
We hope after reading the above blog, you have got to know about radial drill press and its types. All of us tried our hardest to cover all kinds of topics on precise engineering and technical writing.
