We know WEN for their affordable and quality power tools. The WEN 4208 is one such quality drill press that promises to bring affordability and performance to the workshop. If you are looking for a quality drill press then you should highly consider this WEN drill press. But how well does it perform and is it worth the money? Let us find out!

Speed

The speed is where we see the versatility of this unit. It has a 5 variable speed of 740, 1,100, 1,530, 2,100, 3,140 RPM that easily allows you to adapt to the materials you are drilling. Whether you need a low RPM for drilling in higher density material, or need a smooth and polished drill in low-density material, this drill press will easily deliver the finishing result you desire.

Of course, as stated before, this model is mostly suited for wood but you can still give it a try on the lowest 740 RPM speed setting when drilling on soft metal of no more than 1/2 inch thickness.

Size

As a recurring feature of most budget drill presses, this model is also small in size. It is quite compact and will easily fit a small workbench. If space in the workshop is a major concern to you, then this is probably a very good model to grab.

The table size of 6.5 x 6.5 inches is not the biggest but still adequate for working with small objects. The chuck size of 1/2 inch is an interesting feature as you would expect to find a smaller and more suitable chuck size of 1/4 inch in this unit. This will allow it to work with standard drill bit shacks of 1/2 inch for a wide range of drilling applications.

In our opinion, we would have preferred a 1/4 inch to compensate the smaller 1/3 HP motor in this drill press. Had WEN gone that route by incorporating a 1/4 inch chuck, hardened steel drilling would have been possible in this unit.

Construction

This WEN drill press has a good quality construction despite its small price. Most of the important features like the table, base and column are made from thick cast iron to provide better stability and limit vibrations. They are also durable and will last a long time. A sturdy build quality is very important in a workshop setting, and we are happy that this model does not disappoint in the build quality department. We also quite amazed that such a cheap drill press actually does not feel or look cheap. In fact, it does look quite professional and more expensive for its price.

Angle

The 6-1/2 x 6-1/2 inches work table can easily be adjusted both in terms of height and angle. You can easily tilt the table 45 degrees to both the left and the right with great ease. In addition, those settings can easily be locked in position for repetitive actions. This is a great feature that allows very versatile angular drilling to be performed.

Other Functions

• Slotted Table: The worktable has slots that easily allows you to mount clamps or other accessories like fences for more stability and accuracy.
• Depth Adjustment: Adjusting the spindle travel (bit depth) is very easy with the locking depth adjustment knob. This model is much easier to adjust the bit depth than the Craftsman 8” drill press that is equally a budget drill press.

User-Friendly

The WEN 4208 drill press is a very user-friendly model that has many beginner-friendly features. Making adjustments to the spindle travel, the table tilt and speed is very easy that even beginners can perform. If you have never used a drill press before, then this is a good model to get started with. Mostly because of its very user-friendly features.

#2. Price of WEN 4208 Drill Press

Since WEN 4208 is the most “basic” drill press in the WEN series of drill presses, it also comes at an affordable price. In fact, it is one of the cheapest and most competitively priced drill press we know of. It is even cheaper than the excellent Craftsman 8-inch budget drill press with almost the same features, if not superior. We feel that this drill press offers a lot of value for money and performance for those wood and soft metal drilling.

#3. How WEN Introduce WEN 4208 Drill Press

#4. Pros/Cons of WEN 4208 Drill Press

Pros

• Variable speed of 740, 1,100, 1,530, 2,100, 3,140 RPM allows you to work with a wide range of materials.
• Very affordable price
• Metal construction of base, table, and column for stability and durability.
• Easy-to-use bit depth adjustment knob.
• Table can be tilted to both the left and the right at 45-degrees.

Cons

• Weak motor of 1/3 HP can stall when drilling high-density metal of more than 1/2 inch. Not recommended for hardened steel.

Who Should Buy?

It is quite easy to recommend this WEN drill press. It does not pretend to be something that it is not and despite its smaller 1/3 HP motor. It still contains versatile features like a variable speed and tiltable table for angular drilling. Best, in our opinion, it is even superior to the even more expensive Craftsman 8” that competes directly with it, at a more expensive price. For this reason, we recommend the WEN 4208 to anyone on a tight budget and who work with wood, plastic, ceramics or soft metals of less than 1/2” thick.