A pillar drill, often referred to as a bench drill or drill press, is an invaluable tool for carpenters and fabricators alike. It can be used on a wide range of materials from soft woods to brittle metals, giving you loads of versatility for different drilling tasks.
With it’s sturdy construction and precise operation, a pillar drill provides power, accuracy, and stability unmatched by other freehand drills.
If you’re shopping for the best pillar drill for your workshop, we’ve got you covered with this comprehensive list covering the best options on the market.
Best Options At A Glance
Product Summaries
Scheppach DP16VLS Bench Pillar Drill
- Brand - Scheppach
- Dimensions - 43.5 x 22 x 60 cm
- Weight - 15.3 kg
- Rotational Speed - 2650 RPM
- Special Feature - Integrated Laser Guide
Firstly we have the Scheppach DP16VLS Bench Pillar Drill. It’s currently selling for £105/$141 on Amazon.
Powered by a 500W electric motor, the drill provides reliable performance for drilling into materials such as wood, metal and plastics. It features five adjustable speed settings between 600 and 2650 RPM, allowing you to choose the appropriate speed for different materials and drill bits.
Accuracy is improved with the integrated laser guide, which helps align the drill bit with your workpiece for more precise hole placement. The drill also includes a 1.5–13mm chuck and a 50mm drilling stroke, providing flexibility for a range of drilling tasks.
The height-adjustable work table can tilt up to 45°, making angled drilling possible when required. A bench vice is also included to help secure materials during drilling, improving both safety and stability.
If you’re looking for a reliable bench drill for general DIY work and home workshops, the Scheppach DP16VLS offers a good balance of power, accuracy and practical features.
Buy the Scheppach DP16VLS Bench Pillar Drill from Amazon for only £105/$141:
Axminster Workshop Bench Pillar Drill
- Brand - Axminster
- Dimensions - 50 x 28 x 73.5 cm
- Weight - 26 kg
- Rotational Speed - 2500 RPM
- Special Feature - Keyless Chuck
Next we have the Axminster Workshop Bench Pillar Drill. It’s currently selling for £180/$241 on Amazon.
This sturdy machine from Axminster is perfect for a wide range of applications, from DIY crafts to commercial jobs.
Similarly to the pillar drill from Wolf, this drill gives you the choice of 5 different speed settings. These speed settings range from 600 to 2,500 RPM, providing a suitable speed for almost any drilling application.
It’s chuck spindle, which is fitted with a quality 1-13mm keyless chuck, ensures consistent, repeatable drilling. The keyless chuck is also really convenient when switching between different drill bits.
The table height can also be adjusted up and down, or even swivelled out of the way completely if you’re working on a large piece.
This pillar drill from Axminster is a great all-rounder for the reasonable price of £200.
Buy the Axminster Workshop Bench Pillar Drill on Amazon for only £180/$241:
Lumberjack Bench Mounted Pillar Drill
- Brand - Lumberjack
- Dimensions - 45.6 x 27.5 x 105 cm
- Weight - 45 kg
- Rotational Speed - 2740 RPM
- Special Feature - NVR switch
Another pillar drill is the Lumberjack Bench Mounted Pillar Drill. It’s currently selling for £300/$402 on Amazon.
This highly-adjustable pillar drill from Lumberjack is an excellent addition to any workshop.
Unlike some of the other pillar drills on this list, this drill gives you 12 speed options rather than 5. These speeds range from 180 and 2740 RPM, giving you an even greater degree of control over your machine.
The cast iron table is highly adjustable as well. It can be moved up and down as well as titled left and right between 0 and 45 degrees – this gives you all movement you need to work on pieces of all different sizes.
It also has a 16mm chuck capacity, an NVR switch for added safety, and a transparent guard for accurate drilling.
This pillar drill from Lumberjack is high-quality and it’s packed full of useful extras – it’s great value for money at £300.
Buy the Lumberjack Bench Mounted Pillar Drill from Amazon for only £300/$402:
Bosch PBD 40 Pillar Drill
- Brand - Bosch
- Dimensions - 74.2 x 37.2 x 27.5 cm
- Weight - 11.2 kg
- Rotational Speed - 2500 RPM
- Special Feature - Quick-release clamps
Next we have the Bosch PBD 40 Pillar Drill. It’s currently selling for £330/$442 on Amazon.
This pillar drill from household name Bosch combines ease of use with professionally precise drilling.
Bosch have made accurate drilling easier than ever with the combination of the integrated laser and digital display. This allows you to control and monitor depth far more easily than with a purely mechanical pillar drill.
Exact positioning is also made easy by the parallel guide and large working surface – even rounded pieces can be held in place using the included quick-release clamps.
It has loads of other useful features as well, including an LED light to illuminate the workspace, a keyless precision chuck automatically retightens, speed adjustment and much more.
If you’re shopping for a premium pillar drill from a well-known brand like Bosch, look no further than the PDB 40.
Buy the Bosch PBD 40 Pillar Drill from Amazon for only £330/$442:
Sealey Premier Floor Pillar Drill
- Brand - Sealey
- Dimensions - 495 x 29 x 161 cm
- Weight - 66 kg
- Rotational Speed - 3000 RPM
- Special Feature - No-volt release switch
Finally we have the Sealey Premier Floor Pillar Drill. It’s currently selling for £573/$768 on Amazon.
This full-size pillar drill from Sealey is a premium offering with all of the bells and whistles.
It features a heavy-duty aluminium-bodied motor that has been designed for long term reliable performance. You can adjust this motor between 16 different speed settings, which is the most control offered by any pillar drill on this list.
The table on this drill is fitted with precision rack and pinion height adjustment, so it’s easy to create the perfect setup for whatever you might be working on. The integrated work light illuminates the table, making it possible to work without the need for additional lighting.
It has also useful features as well, like the electrically interlocked chuck guard, the no-volt release switch to prevent inadvertent start-up, the pulley cover and more.
If you’re looking for a high-end pillar drill with loads of useful extras, this drill from Sealey is a great choice.
Buy the Sealey Premier Floor Pillar Drill from Amazon for only £573/$768:
Comparison of the Best Pillar Drills
If you’re comparing power, precision and workshop suitability, the table below highlights the key differences between these pillar drills.
Scheppach DP16VLS – £
Entry-level bench pillar drill with a 500W motor, adjustable speeds and a built-in laser guide for improved drilling accuracy.
Axminster Workshop Pillar Drill – ££
Solid mid-range bench drill featuring a keyless chuck, adjustable speeds and a sturdy build suited to home workshops.
Lumberjack Bench Pillar Drill – £££
Heavy-duty workshop drill with 12 speed settings, a large adjustable cast iron table and a higher chuck capacity.
Bosch PBD 40 – £££
Premium bench pillar drill with digital speed control, integrated laser guidance and quick-release clamps for precise drilling.
Sealey Premier Floor Pillar Drill – ££££
Full-size floor-standing pillar drill with 16 speed settings, high rotational speed and professional workshop features.
FAQs
A pillar drill is a stationary, upright machine designed for precise drilling often used in workshops. It has a vertical drilling column and allows for adjustable speed, depth, and height. A bench drill is usually more compact and sits on top of a workbench. It typically has fewer adjustable features and is better suited for light-duty tasks.
Some of the key factors to consider are power, speed settings, drill capacity, and build quality. If you’re working with harder materials or need precise depth control, opt for a more powerful drill. A compact, adjustable-speed pillar drill is a good choice for general DIY projects.
The Bosch PBD 40 230V Pillar Drill is one of our overall favourites. It’s currently a number one seller on Amazon for “Benchtop Drill Press”, and it’s clear to see why. This drill offers precise operation with user-friendly extras like parallel guides and quick-release clamps. If you’re looking for a capable all-rounder from a household name like Bosch, this model is a great choice.
Thanks for reading our article covering the best pillar drill. If you’re upgrading your power tools, you may want to take a look at our article covering the Best Dust Extractor For Power Tools UK.
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