Are WEN Drill Presses Any Good? My Honest Experience

I still recall standing in my cold, dusty garage. I was looking at a thick piece of hard oak. I needed to drill a hole straight and true. A hand drill just would not do the job right. So, I went online to find a fair deal.

Almost right away, I saw the same brand pop up. It made me wonder, are WEN drill presses any good? I read a few posts and watched some videos. Then, I bought one to see the truth for myself. Here is my real story after using it for months.

Getting the Box and Setting It Up

The box showed up on my step two days later. It felt very heavy when I tried to lift it. That weight gave me hope that it was strong. I dragged it out to my shop to open it. I was eager to get the parts all set up.

Putting the main parts together was quite an easy task. The book had clear steps and nice, big pictures. I only had to grab a few tools from my chest. In less than an hour, the tool was standing up.

Setup Quick Facts

How the Tool Feels in the Shop

My first test was on a thick block of soft pine. I put a sharp bit in and flipped the switch. The motor hummed with a low, smooth, and quiet sound. It did not shake or bounce on my wood bench.

Changing the speed is a bit of an old style chore. You must lift the top lid and move rubber belts. It takes a quick minute, but you soon learn how. The chart under the lid makes picking speeds very clear.

Drilling into Wood and Metal

This machine shines when you work with standard wood pieces. It cuts clean holes with very little fuss or mess. The bit goes down straight, without moving side to side. That straight drop is what I wanted the most.

When I try to drill metal, it takes more slow care. You must set the belts to a much slower speed. You also need to add a few drops of cutting oil. If you push too hard, the motor might slow down.

Working with Common Goods

Exploring the Built In Features

There are many neat things to like about this drill press. The red laser crosshair is a very handy extra touch. It shows me exactly where the bit will cut down. This helps me save time and saves my good wood.

The depth stop lock is another great thing to have. You can set it to stop the bit at one spot. This is pure magic when you make lots of same holes. I use it all the time to build small wood shelves.

However, the small work table can be a real pain. It is hard to hold a long, heavy board on it. The table tilts, but it is hard to lock it tight. Sometimes it shifts a tiny bit if you push down hard.

The Best and Worst Traits

Is It Built to Last a Long Time?

I have put this tool to the test a lot lately. It has helped me fix chairs, toys, and small signs. The main motor still runs just as well as day one. I make sure to clean the dust off every week.

If you run a pro shop, this tool might break down. It is not made to run all day, every single day. But for weekend garage jobs, it holds up really well. I feel it will last me many more good years.

Dealing with Bits and the Chuck

A big deal for any drill is the metal chuck. This is the part that grips the bit tight. The chuck on my WEN grips okay, but it feels cheap. The key they give you is light and feels weak.

I did a test to see if the bit wobbles around. In the shop world, folks call this bad term runout. My WEN has a tiny bit of wobble at the tip. For home crafts, you will never even see the flaw.

Changing Belts and Speeds

Let us talk more about changing the belt speeds inside. Some folks hate doing this, but it is not too bad. You just turn a knob to loosen the side motor. Then you slip the black belt to a new wheel.

I mostly leave my belt on the middle speed wheel. This works fine for soft wood and small drill bits. But if I use a huge bit, I must slow down. Running too fast with a big bit will burn wood.

Keeping the Tool Clean

Taking care of this machine takes almost no time at all. I keep a small brush right next to the base. When I am done, I sweep the dust in the trash. A clean tool just seems to run better for me.

Once a month, I put oil on the shiny metal parts. This stops rust from growing when the air is damp. The chuck also gets a tiny drop of oil inside. Good care will help this cheap tool live a long life.

Tips for Using It Safely

You must always wear clear glasses when you run this tool. Wood chips and metal flakes will fly up in the air. A small chip in the eye hurts a lot. Safety should always be your top goal in the shop.

Make sure you clamp your work down tight to the base. If the bit grabs the wood, it will spin it fast. A spinning piece of wood can hit your hand hard. Take ten extra seconds to use a strong hand clamp.

Who Should Really Buy This Tool?

So, who is the right person to buy this green tool? It is super for folks who build things on weekends. If you craft bird boxes or small gifts, it is grand. It leaves you money in the bank for more wood.

Hardcore metal folks should pass on this and look away. You will need a giant tool with a huge motor block. But for a plain home garage, the WEN fits right in. It hits the perfect spot of low cost and high value.

Finding the Right User

My Final Verdict on WEN Drill Presses

Let us jump back to the main point of this talk. Are WEN drill presses any good for plain folks like us? Yes, they are highly worth the low cash price tag. They do what they say without any big, nasty shocks.

I do not regret bringing this tool into my shop space. It makes my wood projects look neat and much pro. If you need clean holes on a small budget, buy one. You will be glad to see it sit on your bench.