Editorial Review

A staple in the professional woodshop, a drill press should be able to perform grunt work, yet quickly adjust for precision applications. Jet's 16-1/2-inch model does just that. Made of cast-iron and heavy-gauge steel components, this press spins bits up to 5/8 of an inch with 16 speeds from 200 to 3,630 rpm. A 3/4-horsepower induction motor drives the belts, and, for your convenience, it can run off either 115-volt outlets (for which it comes prewired) or 230-volt sources. The large 13-3/4-inch worktable glides easily with rack-and-pinion adjustment and tilts 45 degrees right or left to accommodate your needs. Two features we like are the positive depth stop on the left side, which quickly adjusts and locks in place via three nuts, and the built-in lamp, a nice touch some competitors don't offer. Changing belt position is a snap after flipping open the hinged metal cover, and, to personalize the press for your comfort and peace of mind, you can adjust the tension on the spindle return spring, as well as lock out the start button to protect others in your absence. This industrial-style drill press is a tool any professional or serious home woodworker can depend on. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• Cast-iron construction with heavy-gauge steel components
• 16 speeds from 200 to 3,630 rpm
• Large 13-3/4-inch worktable tilts 45 degrees right or left with rack-and-pinion adjustment
• Easy-to-set positive depth stop for repetitive tasks

Reviews (37)

Very Good Drill Press
I chose this drill press after reading a lot of reviews comparing Jet, Delta, Ridgid, etc., both here and in forums, magazines, etc., and the Jet received higher marks on average (all had reviews that ranged from excellent to poor, so one has to obtain some sort of weighted average).I also checked out the Ridgid and the Jet at local stores, and both looked and felt good (lowering quill, manually turning spindle, raising table).The Jet had a larger "swing," longer quill travel, and a larger motor (3/4 hp vs. 1/2 hp) than the Ridgid, though the Ridgid was cheaper.Also, one local store that carries very high quality power tools only stocked Jet drill presses, an indication that the owner is putting his reputation behind them.

Assembly was easy and was completed without a hitch.Putting a straight 3/8" rod into the chuck, I checked that the table was square to the rod and that runout was minimal (I forget the measurements, but runout was very small).

I have had this drill press for 3 months now, and it is working well.At first use, there was some vibration at almost all speeds, so I checked that the pullies were aligned vertically (coplanar), which they were, and that the motor was not vibrating (it was smooth when removed and run on the bench).I then purchased a 5' link belt, which nicely made the two ~29" belts required, and the vibration was reduced to a minimal level (passes nickel test even when starting).The vibration was not really excessive before the link belts, but enough to make me less than ecstatic with my purchase.With the link belts, I'm very happy with the drill press.

The lowest speed of 200 rpm is very handy for larger Forstner bits and hole saws.The built-in light is nice (I had no bulb trouble that others noted), as is the chuck key holder, a small item but very convenient.

My only complaint is that the rack and gear system for changing the table height has some areas where it wants to bind a bit and then "jump."However, I crank slowly, and when I feel resistance, I back off and ease through it.Unlike some reviewers's units, my rack is straight and flush with the support, and slides smoothly (when rotating the table to either side), though problems that others have noted with the racks have helped by alerting me to swing the table slowly, watching the rack ends as they slide.

Overall a nice drill press that I hope will last until my son or one of my daughters inherits it from me.

Many problems right out of box
I bought the Jet because, like many others, I was impressed with the good things other reviewers had to say about its overall value. The motor is more than powerful enough, the construction seems sturdy, and the range of speeds is impressive.

Now let me tell you about my ordeal with this drill press. When it arrived (1 day late) via ABF, the box was absolutely mutilated. The driver noted the damage to the box, and that there was no visible damage--which was true enough. In spite of the box's condition, the pieces inside seemed to be undamaged. Assembly took only about an hour. Everything fit together nicely, except the rack, which is bowed so that there is about 1/2 in of space between it and the support post. The cast iron base is heavy and sturdy, but mine is warped--no matter where I place it, I have to shim one corner to keep it from rocking. The motor is quiet, but the motor-mount is bent. The whole motor assembly sits about 7 degrees off plumb. Naturally this is a little disconcerting. I had no trouble mounting the arbor and chuck to the quill, but the run out is so severe (over 1/32 in.) that I get oblong holes. And talk about rattle! This thing rattles in more places than I can count! From top to bottom! Forget about the `nickel test', I can't even get a wrench to stay put on the table--it dances right over the edge.

In short, this drill press is 100% unusable.

I assume poor handling during shipping caused most of the problems I have experienced, but judging by other reviews, maybe not all.

I'm more than disappointed. I hope cases like this are rare.

UPDATE:
I have been on the phone with tech support for over an hour. The rep I spoke with was very patient and understanding and he didn't dismiss my frustration. After some time talking about the problems, he sent me off to do a little troubleshooting on my own. When I called him back with the results, he advised me to send the whole thing back to Amazon.

I plan to exchange it for the same model. Hopefully the next one will work. I'll let you know.

Great Drill Press - Amazon Stinks Though
This drill press is very nice.The description isn't as thorough as it could be on the site.It has plenty of speeds and the quality of the work that comes off of it is very nice.
Be careful when ordering.Amazon claims free shipping and in stock.I had to wait 2 weeks - and they charged me an addl. $9.95 for shipping.Wouldn't have been a big deal except I needed it for business.And they strung me along week by week instead of being up front about the delay.
Also having the same shipping and availability problems with a bandsaw I ordered from Amazon that same day.Had to cancel and order from a different supplier. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drill Presses    2. Stationary Drill Presses    3. (Drils)   

Features

• Stand not included
• Hinged belt cover allows faster speed changing
• 9-1/2-by-31-3/4-inch worktable
• 2 hp, 1 phase, 230-volt only motor
• Heavy-duty tapered roller bearins support the spindle

Reviews (1)

Jet milling machines
Jet machines are quite functional.

A milling machine is the heart of a machine shop.

If this is your first milling machine, expect to
spend and equal amount on the tooling you will need
to make it work. A clamping kit, an assortment of end mills
chucks and holders, a vice, a rotary table, an indexing head
and more will all be required to round out the purchase.

Horesepower translates into speed of material removal.
Bigger bits require greater power.

This is just a starter mill and you will want to upgrade
to something costing ten or twenty times as much when you
want to do production work as this one is all hand cranked
and requires a skilled operator to run it.

Did I mention that it cuts wood etc.? There are even machinable
ceramics which it can handle.

Again, expect to double the price (as a ballpark est.) on any
machine tool by the time it you are done. And plan to put it on
a solid foundation, not in your livingroom.

I use mine (a Jet VMM626) to make thermoplastic injection molds. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boring Machines   

Features

• 15-3/4"x23-3/4" table area
• Two T-Tracks

Reviews (1)

Make your own...
First of all, you don't get the fence shown in the picture, at least I didn't. Jet say's that is a seperate option...universal fence. So what ya get is a piece of hardboard with melamine on both sides and two standard t-tracks.
I bought this table to put on my Delta DP200(see review), it is meant to mount on the adjustable table and increase your work area. It is a nice thick piece of "wood" and the t-tracks are paralell to each other. But I could have made my own for a third of what this one cost. I have kept it and mounted it to my drill press, and made a good fence for it. I does enable me to use hold downs instead of clamps all the time. Also depending on the press you have, you have to make a cutout on the back side of the board, so your height adjusting crank will clear the table.
It is well made and stout, it does the job but I was disappointed. Recommend you make your own. ... Read more

Features

• Clamp materials in place for safe drilling operations
• 5" Jaw Width
• 4 5/16" Jaw Opening
• 1 1/4" Jaw Depth
• 9 13/16" Overall Length

Subjects:  1. Drill Presses    2. (Drils)    3. Work Support    4. Bench Vises    5. (Vices)   

Features

• Slots in fence pieces to mount
• Jet Pro Stop

Editorial Review

Tons of power and Jet's renowned accuracy make this a great choice for the professional as well as the choosy home woodworker. The smooth-traveling table raises and lowers at the turn of a crank to exactly where you need it; the 3/4-inch chuck rides smoothly up and down. Angled drilling is no problem, because the rock-solid large worktable tilts to 45 degrees. The table is round, and that has its advantages, but it does give you a little less room for clamping. When it's time to change drill speed to any of the 12 speeds ranging from 150 to 4,200 rpm, just flip open the hinged metal cover, disengage the motor, slip the belt onto the right pulley and you're back at work in a flash. Our favorite feature on this nice machine is the built-in worklight, something we think every manufacturer should incorporate. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Two-year warranty
• 1.5HP, 1Ph, motor
• 12 spindle speeds ranging from 150-4200 RPM
• Adjustments can be made quickly
• 12 speeds ranging from 150 to 4,200 rpm

Subjects:  1. Drill Presses    2. Stationary Drill Presses    3. (Drils)   

Features

• 6" Jaw Width
• 5 1/2" Jaw Opening
• 1 3/8" Jaw Depth
• 8 1/4" Overall Length

Subjects:  1. (Drils)    2. Drill Presses    3. Work Support    4. Bench Vises    5. (Vices)   

Features

• High tensile cast iron
• Smooth screw action
• One year warranty

Subjects:  1. (Drils)    2. Drill Presses