WEN 12-Inch Benchtop Drill Press, Variable Speed, Cast Iron with Laser and Work Light (4214T)

I am writing this review after only a few days of owning the drill press, but running it extensively. So understand, this is not a review on the machine's durability or longevity. Down the road, should something change, I will come back and update this review, as is my habit.Also understand, I purchased this with the full expectation of later modifying and upgrading anything I was unhappy with. For $225 and free shipping, I had very moderate expectations for out of the box performance, fit and finish.Packaging: This unit was well packaged in close fitting foam, and despite broken foam and a box that looks the part of the global journey it has been on, the machine arrived with no damage and nothing missing.Assembly: If you are mechanically minded, you do not need instructions. The machine has been partially assembled in a very clever manner, and there is very little to do to complete the full assembly. It took me longer to modify a stand I had sitting around to mount the machine on than it did to assemble this. From unboxing to plugged in and running was less than 45 minutes. Everything assembled flawlessly.Performance: I had read several reports of the machine being underpowered. It is probably only underpowered based on perception of the motor size vs manufacturer claims (it's probably not as powerful as the manufacturer claims) (then again, Ridgid claims my wet/dry vac is 6.0 horsepower, so ...). Or, underpowered based on wildly unrealistic expectations for a 12 inch benchtop drill press.To test, I chucked up a 1/2" drill (drill was new) and without a pilot hole, quickly drilled through a piece of 1/4" steel angle and also through a scrap piece of 1/2" steel plate. There was no bogging or hesitation. I have since drilled dozens of holes in steel, cast iron and wood. I've used twist drills, countersinks, forstner and auger drills, paddle bits This machine is not underpowered at all and absolutely destroys the performance of any battery powered hand drill. It's obviously far easier to use for accurate drilling compared to a corded hand drill.Features/Fit/Finish, in no particular order:1) The laser is accurate, though to me, it's really only useful for quickly punching a hole in something where accuracy isn't important. Otherwise, it's a neat feature.2) I like the work-lamp. It's bright enough to do a good job of lighting up the work area without causing unnecessary glare.3) The slide out material support annoys me. The roller rattles like crazy, but soon enough I will weld up a permanent workstation for the drill press and will get rid of the slide out support.4) The variable speed is really nice to have, though I think this is intended mostly as a woodworking drill press as the low rpm range is 550~ and I would prefer around 200. It takes effort to adjust speeds, but does adjust smoothly. The drive system is a bit noisy (most Reeves pulleys are) and there is some vibration, but honestly, the machine is surprisingly smooth running. I have only experienced truly vibration free performance on drill presses like the Powermatic PM2800. That machine is huge and is also $1500. So again, adjust your expectations.5) The table rides up and down on the rack as well as machines many times this price. The table locks up square to the spindle (good thing, there is no front to back adjustment, so casting accuracy was good enough).6) The chuck, arbor and spindle all seem reasonably concentric. I will not be setting up a test indicator, because I do not care. This is not a mill. I chucked a piece of drill rod and there is no perceptible runout by eye and that is more than good enough for any drill press. (go to youtube and watch Frank Hoose's video on 3 jaw chuck runout and you'll see how easy it is to spot runout by eye).7) The switch sucks. It's the worst thing on the machine. It's cheap, it will probably be the first thing to break. I hope it breaks soon, so I can justify replacing it with a push/pull or some sort of magnetic switch.8) I could not find any defects in any of the castings. The table did have some minor burrs from machining, but nothing 2 seconds with a file doesn't solve.9) Table finish - People complain about the relatively rough milling of the table. Actually, I like it and it's smoother than it looks. Finely ground cast iron is slick (like on a nice table saw). The finish on this table makes clamping workpieces down easy and helps to keep them in place without having to go 800 pound gorilla on the clamp.10) Paint - It's cheap, but isn't horrid. It's a match for the price of the machine. I like the color as orange is one of my favorites.11) The chuck is nice and locks securely without a ton of effort. Though, a key-less chuck will replace this soon, because I don't want to keep track of the key. There is a nice key holder and it's easy to use.12) Knurled thumbwheels instead of nuts on the depth stop is an awesome touch. Much better than the garbage depth stops you find on the Harbor Freight presses.13) The quill operates smoothly, but the quill return spring is crunchy. I expect this will need replaced, if only because it's annoying me.In conclusion, there is nothing amazing about this drill press. At the price of $225 though, it's an excellent buy. The JET branded machine is $400 and is not worth that asking price. And this is SIGNIFICANTLY better than the Harbor Freight offerings in terms of features and fit/finish.As things break, I'll update this review, but unless something catastrophic happens, it's not changing from 5 stars. I purchased this with the full intent of modifying and upgrading everything possible and am extremely happy with my purchase.

If you're thinking about saving money and buying the 8" WEN press, hold on a minute and take a few things into account that I didn't because I was so blinded by the $118 price tag. I wanted a good small drill press, as I do some guitar work, and also work with electronics, 3D printed models, and various wood projects. I sold my Porter Cable drill press a few years back, but I've found myself needing a drill press again, and my Dremel drill press just wasn't cutting it. The WEN 8" model, with its incredible looks and price, immediately caught my eye and I found myself ordering before I even had a chance to think. The second I opened the box and realized the table was the same size and length to the column as a Dremel press, it became clear I had made a mistake. I couldn't even reach tremolo holes in guitar bodies, so it was essentially useless. After a few more minutes, it became clear it was much more than just size that it was lacking.I did a bit more research, and when I found the 12" model was about $180 more, it wasn't just the added size that hooked me. It also has features that I overlooked on the 8" model because I was so enamored with price tag. I skipped right over the 10" WEN offered and took what I think is an incredible deal at around $300. After assembling, the footprint was only about 4 inches bigger than the 8" model, and fit right into the same spot the 8" would have sat on my table. While taller, I welcome the extra size and heft.Now, here is why you want to spend the extra money and upgrade to this model over the 8", aside from the increased size-1. Its built FAR better. This isn't just an upsized version of the 8" model. Everything is beefier, and better. The chuck on the 8" model is a basic, small, one piece design that barely sits in the spindle. The 12" features a beefy 2 piece chuck that seats way up into the spindle, ensuring good, straight contact. At 5/8ths you can use larger bits than the 8"'s 1/2 inch chuck. While you might still get some drift, it will be nowhere near what the 8" would have given you, and the "play" is adjustable with a bolt. In fact, several features offer adjustments that the 8" just didn't. Other parts just look and feel sturdier. The depth stop is far more accurate. These things alone are worth the extra money.2. Speed range and adjustment lever with digital readout. I don't know about you, but I hate having to move belts to change speeds on a drill press, and find myself using an incorrect speed out of laziness when doing quick holes. Here, you just turn the lever and the digital readout tells you what speed you're running at. No popping the top and adjusting a belt. I'm sure the accuracy isn't perfect, but the fact I can get from 580 RPM to 3200 RPM means I can use this press with far more materials and bit sizes than the 8" would have allowed. You also get 3 1/8 inches of spindle travel, so you can drill deeper holes without raising the table, where the 8" model only has 2 inches of travel.3. Column and table are track adjustable with a lever and handle. Raising and lowering the 8" meant loosening the bolt and catching the table before it dropped, and then having to support it while you try to tighten it to stay at the height you want. Having a track means you can use one hand to raise or lower the table without it dropping straight to the ground.4. Accessories. Most drill press tables, fences and jigs, whether pre-made or from plans, are made for a 12" drill press. An 8" table is small enough, and then if you add in a fence, you're cutting off another 1-2 inches. Then there's also the little things already included. Having a laser on a tool can be hit or miss. It sounds great on paper, but seldom are they accurate enough to trust. So far, this laser has been pretty accurate, plus, it offers fine adjustment to calibrate. Even if I just use it to ballpark quick holes, I'd much rather have it than not. The work light is an awesome little bonus that makes a big difference.Spend the extra money once, and you won't regret it. If you're on the fence, look at it this way- You're already spending over $100. The second you have a project that needs that extra 4" of reach, or requires a bit more accuracy, you'll wish you had just given in and spent a little more the first time. It won't be fun having to drill a hole by hand when you have an 8" paper weight sitting right next to you on your bench. Thank me later.