What size drill press do I need?

The 'swing' measurement is the distance from the center of the chuck to the column, doubled. A 12-inch drill press means 6 inches from center to column — so you can drill to the center of a 12-inch workpiece. For most woodworking, 10-12 inch swing is adequate. For larger projects, consider 15+ inch.

How do I reduce drill press wobble?

Chuck runout (wobble) comes from the chuck or spindle. First, try a new premium chuck — cheap chucks have more runout. Second, check that your bit is not bent. Third, ensure the chuck is fully tightened. Some runout is inherent to the machine — more expensive drill presses have tighter tolerances.

Best Drill Press Under $200 2026