Wen 4214 Review – Is This The Best Drill Press?

3. Design

This is a professional grade tool I am talking about. Its price might seem affordable and created for hobbyists, but this drill press has very professional aesthetics. Most of it is made of cast iron. In other words, it is a heavy-duty machine that’s not that easy to carry around.

The chuck that’s made to support bigger pieces measures 5/8 inches. This particular feature is so much more than beginners need. The spindle travel measures 3 1/8 inches which means the user can easily drill through anything that has a thickness of under the aforementioned size.

At soon as you look at the press’s construction, you will see that the manufacturer paid a lot of attention to details. Nevertheless, I was able to discover a couple of minor gripes. For starters, the table tilts but when you tilt it, you must also lock it in place. You must do that with a hex head bolt that’s placed underneath the table and that’s pretty difficult to access.

Secondly, the power cord could be longer. It would be more practical if you place the drill press on a mobile cart. There are three feed handles which is too much for most users but, fortunately, you can easily remove one or two of them.

4. Performance

This product is easy to use and reliable. Basically, the tool does exactly what was built for. Anything you need drilling, from soft pinewood to steel, you will achieve your goals with this drill press. Due to its high-performance motor, you will achieve clean and smooth holes every time.

The 4214 model isn’t the company’s largest version. This is the 12-inch model but the manufacturer also markets a 15-inch and a 17-inch drill press.

Another amazing feature is the fact that you don’t need to manually move the belts around to adjust the tool’s speed. You can do that by adjusting the handle-controlled knob that was placed there for precisely this operation.

The speed coverage is wide enough to include any project you may want to work on. This drill press works amazingly if most of your projects are based on woodworking because if you plan to drill through steel and metal every single day, you may want to reconsider your choice.

Drilling through wood with this press feels like a breeze.

5. Size

Size normally determines whether or not a certain drill press will suit your projects and purposes. If the machine is too small, you won’t be able to work with larger materials or thicker pieces. Wen 4214 comes with a swing which is also known as a throat depth of 12 inches.

This makes the tool adequate for many home projects and professional use. The cast-iron table is also generous at its 9 ½ x 9 ½ inches. It allows you to place pretty large materials on top of it.

6. Construction

Most clients love this drill press’ construction because it is high-quality. Most of it is manufactured from metal which makes this machine incredibly durable. It is a tool that’s made to last.

7. Angle

It will be very easy to perform beveled drills using the Wen 4214 drill press. You can tilt its table at a 45-degree angle to either the right or the left, as you need it to be. Once the table is tilted, you can lock it in that specific position. This provides a higher safety level and boosted accuracy.

8. How User-Friendly Is This Drill Press?

The overall construction is definitely top-notch. Most of it is designed with sturdy metal and some parts are made of durable plastic (I am talking about the component where the motor is inserted). This drill press should last a long time.

The base part is manufactured from cast iron and it is quite large. This makes it very stable when you work with the tool. This component features mounting inserts that enable users to bolt the machine to their workbenches for boosted stability.

Finally, the press’ laser that has an X pattern illuminates the entire drilling area which makes this tool easy to use and highly accurate.

9. Other Functions

You can easily open or tighten the tool’s 5/8” Keyed Chuck with a standard key. Moreover, the Chuck will easily accommodate much more than just your regular drill bits. For instance, you can use this press to make mortises by retrofitting either a chisel holder or a sanding bit pad.

The product is highly versatile so you can use it for many other projects than drilling holes. In other words, it provides great value for the money.

Wen 4214 Review – Pros and Cons

This drill press has many benefits and just a few downsides.

Advantages

• The inductive motor is a powerful 5-Amp and 2/3 HP one that, besides wood, can also penetrate thin metal sheets without any difficulties;
• The construction is made from metal and it features an excellent build that’s very durable;
• This drill has a large base that’s very stable and can be easily bolted to almost any workbench;
• The speed varies between 580 and 3,200 RPMS which makes this drill press greatly versatile. Simply put, it allows the user to work with numerous material types;
• There’s a digital screen on the front panel where you can read the speed;
• The table is adjustable. You can tilt it to either the left or the right up to a 45-degree angle for angular drills;
• It comes with an X-pattern laser feature that provides increased accuracy.

Disadvantages

• It is difficult to drill through thicker materials such as metal and steel with this tool.

Wen 4214 Review – How Much Does It Cost?

It’s almost impossible to find a drill press that has the power of the WEN 4214 model and it’s also sold at a very affordable price. Yet, somehow, the company managed to create this unique product, at an amazing price tag. It’s hard to resist, especially for beginners or hobbyists who want something more than what the majority of tabletop presses have to offer.

This product is competitively priced and, by comparison, the cost is more than reasonable, especially when you consider the press’ versatility, sturdiness, and overall quality.

WEN 4214 Drill Press

$424.98

Check Price

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

02/14/2023 02:44 pm GMT

Wen 4214 Review – How to Assemble It

Once you’ll open the box, you’ll see that the product requires your attention when it comes to assembling it. Although the drill arrives disassembled, it isn’t hard to put all the pieces together because the components are pretty straightforward and you can place them one into the other seamlessly.

You don’t need any special tools or equipment to assemble this drill press. Once you finish the setup process, you must then mount the drill to your workbench, stand, or table before starting to use it. Unfortunately, that will be the moment in which you discover that the package doesn’t contain any mounting bolts. So, you will probably have to buy some separately.

The wisest thing to do, that I would surely opt for, is to purchase a rolling work stand and bolt the drill press to it. That way, it will be easier for you to move the tool around the workshop and increase its portability.

All in all, putting it together isn’t brain surgery. Moreover, the package comes with guidelines and instructions which are clear and easy to follow. Nevertheless, some might find it a bit annoying and time-consuming, especially if you have never done this before.

Here are the main steps:

• Attach the base part to the work table and then place the column on top of the drill’s base;
• Place and fix the head on top of all the aforementioned elements – the head is where you will find both the chuck and the motor;
• Make sure that the stand is perpendicular to the tool and check the overall alignment.

Wen 4214 Review – Main Alternatives

Here are some of the main competitors and alternatives to the Wen 4214 drill press, listed in no particular order.

1. SKIL 3320-01 Drill Press

This SKIL drill press provides numerous helpful features and has a durable construction. Its compact size is obviously a plus. Overall, this is a reliable and sturdy tool for your workshop.

Pros

• Its motor is a powerful 3.2-Amp one;
• The table can be tilted at a 45-degree angle which offers increased flexibility;
• It is based on a laser guide which increases the tool’s accuracy;
• It comes with a 3-year warranty.

Cons

• You will need separate batteries to activate the laser.

Skil 3320-01 Drill Press | HardwareWorld

For the weekend woodworker who wants greater precision than a handheld drill offers, the 3320 Skil 10-inch Drill Press with Laser is a solid choice. 

Check Price Buy at Amazon.com

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

2. WEN 4227 Standing Drill Press

This is one of the greatest floor drill presses out there that features a 17-inch swing. The package contains everything you need to complete your DIY projects, from a precision laser to a work table and working light.

Pros

• The design is a 3-spindle one;
• The motor is powerful and will suit all your drilling needs;
• There’s a laser guide as well as key storage;
• It comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

Cons

• It is quite heavy;
• It is pretty expensive.

3. Delta 18-900L Floor Drill Press

This floor drill press from Delta comes with no less than 16 different drilling speeds which makes this tool very versatile.

Its quality is exquisite and it was created for those who only desire the best products for their workshop projects.

Pros

• It allows a very long stroke;
• It has a wide range of available speed levels;
• The speeds can be easily and quickly changed due to the press’ auto-tensioning belt;
• It offers a great 5-year manufacturer warranty.

Cons

• It is very expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Wen 4214 Drill Press

Are All WEN Drill Presses Good?

Every good press drill should be made of high-quality materials and should be reliable, accurate, and sturdy. All WEN products tick all those boxes. The model reviewed today, the 4214, is certainly one to consider due to its variable speed feature.

When Do You Need to Use a Drill Press?

This integral woodworking tool is a machine that can be used to complete several different tasks. The main one is drilling but you can also create square holes if you pair it with a mortising attachment. Drill presses can also function as spindle sanders.

Where Are WEN Drill Pressed Made in?

The main body of any WEN power tool is manufactured in China. However, all their stocks and parts are made in California and Illinois.

Wen 4214 Review – Bottom Line

The Wen 4214 drill press is an amazing tool that both experts and beginners like to use. It is a budget alternative because pro-grade drill presses have four-digit price tags.

Perhaps some professionals might find a few drawbacks that this tool has and certain minor limitations, but hobbyists and those who enjoy DIY projects will love it.

To conclude with, this drill press provides plenty of useful and interesting features and it’s an affordable option.

WEN 4214 Drill Press

$424.98

Check Price

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

02/14/2023 02:44 pm GMT

Read More:

• Wen 4210 vs 4212 Comparison