Top 5 Best Drill Press for 80 Lower [Buying Guide]
There’s no better way than to finish your 80% lower effectively and safely than by using a reliable drill press. Now, we understand that there are tons of machines to choose from nowadays, that’s exactly why we are here. We’re here to help you make a sound decision.
We’ve researched far and wide and made sure to only include in our shortlist the best models from the most trusted brands today. As intricate as the process it took you to get to this point of your project, it needs to be completed the right way.
Read on and find out which unit made the cut in our best drill press for 80 lower reviews.
| IMAGE | MODEL | RATINGS | WEIGHT | Voltage | BUY NOW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | BILT-HARD 8 Inches Drill Press | 4.3 | 22 pounds | 120 Volts | Check Price |
 | WEN 4208 8 Inches Drill Press | 4.6 | 31 pounds | 120 Volts | Check Price |
 | Grizzly IG0925 Benchtop Drill Press | 4.6 | 36 Pounds | 120 Volts | Check Price |
 | Proxxon 37110 Micro Mill MF 70 | 4.2 | 18.21 pounds | 110 Volts | Check Price |
 | WEN 4214 12-Inch Drill Press | 4.6 | 89.1 pounds | 120 Volts | Check Price |
5 Best Drill Presses for 80% Lower Product Reviews
1.BILT-HARD 8 Inches Drill Press
The first entry on our best drill press for 80 lower reviews is none other than the BILT-HARD 8 Inches Drill Press. This drill press is characterized by its compact but sturdy build and so it won’t take up much space in your shop. Also, you can’t name your brand BILT-HARD and not deliver on durability, right?
As expected, this drill press is proven durable and reliable all-around. The beveling worktable can be adjusted left and right for up to 45 degrees. It’s got 5 operating speeds for needed versatility. And, as expected, it can work on all sorts of materials lie plastic, wood, metal, etc.
You bet it’s compatible with a lot of drill bits from 1/16 inches to ½ inches. It’s got a keyed chuck too. It’s got a depth stop gauge that makes repeated tasks easy. That’s quick turnarounds in-between drills and so you can work as efficiently as you’d like.
It’s perfect for low-end productions and you can bet that it will cover most of what hobbyists would need and it’s perfect for working on those 80 lowers.
Pros
- Perfect for daily repeated tasks
- Easy to utilize
- Stable and durable
- Great value for money
- Compact design
Cons
- Chuck wobbles
2.WEN 4208 8 Inches / 5-Speed Drill Press
The WEN 4208 8 Inches / 5-Speed Drill Press is another top-notch drill press best for your lower 80 projects and a constant unit found in most reviews as of writing.
Why not, right? Like the Bilt-Hard unit, it’s also got a compact design so it won’t take up much space and storage won’t be a problem too. It’s got a ½ inch key storage onboard with a keyed chuck.
It operates at 5 varying speed levels at 740 – 1100 – 1530 – 2100 – 3140 RPM. It’s got a 1/3 HP motor too that produces much-needed torque for your projects. Drilling should also be accurate with a spindle that may be adjusted up to 2 inches and a locking depth stop.
You may use it to drill on all sorts of materials and of course, work on your lower 80. It’s got a strong frame with a cast iron head and stable base and table. You should not have any issues drilling holes at all with this unit.
Pros
- Very convenient to utilize
- Versatility guaranteed
- Good value for money
- Compact design
- Stable and durable build
Cons
- Table is not as adjustable as desired
3.Grizzly Industrial G0925, 8 Inches baby Benchtop Drill Press
Everyone likes a versatile and compact benchtop drill press, right? If you’re looking for the best value unit then make sure to go ahead and check out the Grizzly Industrial G0925, 8 Inches baby Benchtop Drill Press.
You won’t regret this purchase for sure. It’s got a double T-slot feature that will always ensure efficient drilling. It’s easy to adjust especially its table height with lock handles. It’s powerful and suitable for drilling holes into all sorts of materials as well.
Need to constantly move your drill press around? No worries, this unit is portable and lightweight at only 34 pounds. It’s got 2-inch spindle travel and an 8-inch swing feature. It’s perfect for polymer 80, wood, iron, mild steel, and plastic.
It is also compatible with drill chucks 1/16 inches to ½ inches. Perfect for DIY projects! The unit is also low-maintenance and you can bet that it will last for a very long time. The rugged and heavy-duty design has been tested and proven to endure a lot of years.
Pros
- Very durable build
- Compact and lightweight makes it portable
- Versatile drill press
- Good value for money
- Not much learning curve is needed
Cons
- Not so easy to adjust
4.Proxxon 37110 Micro Mill MF 70
And, we’re not done reviewing reliable drill presses just yet. This time we bring you the Proxxon 37110 Micro Mill MF 70. This unit may be an underdog but we guarantee you that it’s top-notch.
It only weighs about 19 pounds making it one of the most lightweight machines on our list. Easy to move around and store, you won’t have problems with it at all.
But, don’t take it lightly as it’s perfect for daily tedious tasks too and most especially with working on your 80 lower. It’s got a vertical column then a compound table made out of high-quality aluminum and you can still expect great results even if you work at higher speeds making it an efficient machine. You’ll have quick turnarounds in-between drills because of that.
It’s got a solid base too made out of cast iron and not only it is very stable you’ll soon find out that it will give you control over your drilling activities like no other. Precision is the name of the game for this machine, that’s for sure.
Pros
- Very compact and lightweight design
- Perfect for home and hobby shops
- Easy to utilize and ergonomic
- Durable build
- Hastens your work effectively
Cons
- Some would say that it’s a bit overpriced
5.WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press
Last but not least on our best drill press for 80 lower reviews is the popular and innovative WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press. This unit loiters on a lot of lists too and as the second model from this brand, that should a testament to this manufacturer’s quality.
When it comes to drilling presses, being able to operate at variable speeds is a must and most especially if you work on a lot of 80 lower. This unit has got 5 different speeds that you can take advantage of.
It’s got a 4.3 amps powerful induction motor to ensure efficient drilling. Its robust frame comes with a cast iron-made table, base, and head. It also comes with ball bearings to ensure that the drill press lasts for a very long time and it is low-maintenance to boot.
It weighs 57 pounds. Probably one of the rather more powerful units on our list and still very much affordable. It is the best fit for DIY projects and even medium-sized drilling projects so your investment should be well worth it.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Popular brand and good ratings online
- Versatile and reliable operation
- Easy to use
- Ergonomic design
Cons
- It’s got some parts that may break down faster than the core components
Drill Press Buying Guide
Here are some of the qualities of a drill press that you should watch out for as you shop around.
Drill Press Type
Drill presses although it’s got a lot of moving parts are some of the most straightforward purchases that you’re ever going to do. The distinction between the types of drill presses and what you’re going to need is quite clear.
That’s why it’s a bit easy to decide which one is best for your needs. For example, there are 2 primary types of drill presses, the stationary type, and the benchtop type. As the name implies, stationary types are the floor standing types that are naturally larger.
These floor-standing drill presses are for commercial or industrial usage and are the best fit for professional machine shops and heavy-duty applications. There’s not a lot of projects that you can’t do with these types of drill presses either. They have immense power as well as speed and almost everything that you need to drill holes into your projects.
Naturally, benchtop models are drill presses that are best fit for hobbyists or DIY enthusiasts. If you are looking to add a drill press for your home or hobby shop then these types of drill presses should be first on your to-consider list.
They are portable, won’t take up much storage room, compact, and lightweight so you can just move them around easily. They are perfect for small to medium-sized projects and don’t worry, they should work well on a multitude of materials too.
Build Integrity and must-have qualities & features
It ain’t called a power tool for nothing that’s why you need to only buy trusted units from the trusted brands like the ones we reviewed above because your drill press needs to be reliable.
Reliability does not only quantifies power or speed or versatility but durability too. Buying a drill press ain’t a cheap investment and so we need to ensure that what you’re purchasing would last for a very long time.
As far as horsepower goes, you may purchase a machine with at least 1/3, ½, or even ¾ HP for your DIY or home project needs. Anything over that should be for professional applications. 2 to 3 HP should be enough for larger projects.
Speed adjustment is also essential so you can drill on a multitude of materials like plastic, wood, ceramics, glass, and metal. It’s easy to determine a drill press for sturdy metal like steel but it’s the delicate ones that you might want to prepare for. Ideally, it should have a 12-speed adjustment ranging from 250 RPM to 3000 RPM.
If the drill press is constructed solidly then it should be stable enough to support your workpieces and for precise results. Your drill press will have 4 primary parts, the base, the column, its table, and its head.
The base and table should be ribbed for rigidity and strength. The table should be flat, wobbling is a huge no-no here. The head should be cast iron. It should have a depth adjustment gauge and an adjustable motor bracket.
Lastly, the drill press should have a chuck that’s tightened using a key or wrench as doing so by your hand is really not recommended.
Router or Drill Press for 80 Lower?
Not really an aspect-centered discussion but a buyer’s guide nonetheless, should you decide against purchasing a drill press for your 80 lower and go u8se a router instead?
Well, let’s do the math, sort of. Router based-jigs are really powerful and at the same time, stable but that if you utilize them properly. Meaning it would require more skill and experienced as compared to using drill presses for the job.
Router-based jigs also provide clean cuts especially on the inner walls of your receiver. However, it’s hard to control routers and might not be as safe as when using a drill press. You will also wear out jig plates fast as well as templates. And lastly, routers a generally more expensive.
Flip those weaknesses of a router and you’ll have the strengths of a drill press. That’s why a lot of people prefer them over the others nowadays. They are easier to control, don’t need much learning curve, and are generally less expensive.
Looks like it’s a win-win situation for anyone to just go ahead and use drill presses, huh?
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What do we mean by 80% lower?
Answer: The terms 80% lower do not make any sense if you ask someone not familiar with firearms. So, what does it mean? 80% lower is actually a receiver blank that’s got no serial number. Meaning an unfinished firearm that is not operable and needs further fabrication.
Since these are just partially completed receiver and as mentioned, does not have any serial number then whoever purchases it won’t need to pass through any background checks. Once the firearm is finished then it’s sometimes called a ghost gun. Please keep in mind that laws vary per state.
Question: What’s the difference between an 80 lower and a stripped receiver?
Answer: Good question, the main difference is that one is a firearm and the other one is not, and based on our discussion above, you already know which is which.
Stripped receivers have been completely machined by gun manufacturers and so that is why it is considered as a firearm since it’s already embedded with a serial number. There’s just still a ton of work that needs to be done with an 80 lower.
Question: Is working on 80 lower going to be worth it?
Answer: Oh yes, it should be. If you take a look at the advantages of working on an 80% lower then you’d think so as well. It won’t require a serial number and you won’t need an FFL or a Federal Firearm Licensee or even a gun dealer to process any transaction. No background checks too as mentioned. They are more affordable and shipped directly. It’s definitely worth it.
Question: What are the states that have banned 80% lower?
Answer: But as mentioned as well, not all states look at 80 lowers nicely. Here is a list of states that have banned it: New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Washington State, Washington, D.C., and Rhode Island at least as of writing. We’re not going to go into the specifics so please do the required research if you want to know about restrictions and laws further.
Question: Well, how does an 80 lower work? What’s a jig?
Answer: A jig is a specialized equipment that helps the builder with the fabrication process of these 80 lowers. It’s made out of steel, polymer, or aluminum which clamps around the receiver blank.
With the use of a drill press, jigs will guide you in the fabrication process. This is where the drilling of the holes is done plus the cutting of the cavity needed for your receiver’s internal parts.
Some of the guns that be built with 80 lowers are handguns like 1911,Sig Sauer P320, and Glock-compatible. Also, AR-15, AR-9, and LR-308 (AR-10).
Final Thoughts
These are some of the best drill presses for 80 lower and we assure you that no matter which product you pick you won’t regret your investment. They are versatile, reliable, and meant for heavy-duty usage and so no matter what project you put them through they will pull through for you.
Just keep our buyer’s guide in mind, consider the right factors, and study the brand of your choice a little bit and surely you’ll get the results you’ve been looking for. Taking the time to scan our review surely helps too!
Remember, you don’t need much skills nor experience to work on your 80 lower, you just need the right set of jigs and we assure you that our top 5 will deliver. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and read our review once again and take your pick!
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