Best Craftsman Drill Presses – Complete Review
Craftsman is a company that has been making high-quality power tools since 1927. The Craftsman series of drill presses have long been one of the best drill press solutions out there.
If you are fresh on the market for a drill press, which model is the best for your need? That’s a tough question that hopefully we will answer by the end of this review. Stay tuned!
No products found.
You can also read other drill press reviews such as benchtop drill press, mini drill press, radial drill press, floor drill press, Wen drill press.
Craftsman Drill Press Review
Craftsman 12-Inch Bench Drill Press
Editor's Rating: 
(4.5 / 5)
The Craftsman 12-inch is the heavy-weight champion in the Craftsman drill press series. It features an inductive motor similar to the Craftsman 10-inch but with an extra swing size of 12-inch. This means that it will can drill on even larger materials with greater ease.
Similar to the 10-inch model, this unit is fitted with a scaled steel fence for guiding and locking your stock in position. The Craftsman 12-inch is a very accurate drill press because it generates little to no vibrations. In tandem with the fence, you can get extreme accuracy in your drilling using this model.
Where this model demarks from the rest is the 12 speed 355 to 3,065 RPM variable speed control. It is the most versatile speed range in this review and allows you to drill through any type of material, whether it is wood or metal with a more professional finish.
As a standard feature in all Craftsman drills here, it has a table tilt, solid metal construction, and a variable speed control as well.
Another major difference is the fast swapping depth adjustment on the table. The fence can quickly and easily be adjusted to the X and Y axis pinpoint to deliver an even more accurate and faster drilling than either the Craftsman 8-inch or Craftsman 10-inch.
Clearly, Craftsman designed the 12-inch model for speed, accuracy, and power in mind. But all those goodies come at a price. It is the most expensive model out of the 3.
Pros
- Powerful 1/2 HP motor for efficient drilling in both hard and soft material.
- 12 variable speed of 355 to 3,065 RPM. Very versatile.
- X and Y axis fence pinpoints for accuracy.
- LED and laser tracking for visibility and accuracy.
Cons
- The most expensive
If you need a professional drill press that can bore holes in both metal and wood with equal ease, the Craftsman 12-inch is an excellent model that is still relatively affordable when compared to true professional drill presses from other brands.
Conclusion
That’s a wrap! This model is intended for different audiences with different needs. The Craftsman 12-inch is the best drill press in this review is a workhorse and will serve you well.
Last Updated on June 2, 2019 by Tom Bradly