Drill Press: Wen 4225

[Beowulf]

My wife surprised me with the Wen 4225 drill press.

As I assembly the unit and start to use it, I will post up my thoughts.

Most likely my first upgrade will be going with the Rohm keyless chuck using the MT2 to J33 spindle.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E5LG5OK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DD7NVUI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Beowulf]

I finally got around to try to assembly the unit. It did not go well.

Upon starting assembly, I noticed the machining on the column base (4225-142) and the base (4225-144) do not line up. It is only possible to get 2 of the 4 M12×35 bolts (4225-143) through the column base into the threads of the base. The holes do not line up. I have tried rotating the column to see if the alignment improves, but it does not.

I have emailed [email protected]. We’ll see how fast they get back to me.

I’m wondering if I should just return this to Home Depot.

I understand this is a low budget press, but this is just sad.

 

[cheechi]

I like the Porter Cable from Lowes. Other than the CVT seems pretty comparable.

 

[Plombob]

I inherited a few Wen tools. They were all subpar. Didn't get a drill press though. I got rid of them all.

 

[Beowulf]

Finally got the drill press together. For the price I think it is a nice unit.

I ended up buying another one from Home Depot and returned the first one. The second one was noticeably better.

The Rohm chuck is fantastic. Just an incredible chuck.

The laser cross hairs were dead accurate out of the box. The table was square with no adjustment needed.

90% of my drilling is done at the lowest setting, so the variable speed between 280ish and 1200ish is fantastic.

People have said the RPM readout stays on, but that has not been the case on mine. Once the RPMs stop and the drill press is turned off, I don't see any readout. If I rotate it by hand, it will then light up. Work light and laser both have their own switch uncoupled from the main unit.

I will continue to post up my impressions as I use it.

I know people have been able to find it cheaper, but I got this one for $415 before tax.

 

[montanafordman]

I purchased the 10" Wen drill press almost a year ago from Home Depot and have been very happy with it. Out of the box and assembled it had almost zero runout measured with a dial indicator and has worked well for my small uses.

I had no illusions about doing 3/4" holes in 1 inch thick steel all day and if you take your time it works fantastic for most of my uses which are primarily thinner (3/16" or less) mild steel. It was inexpensive, compact, and I was able to have it picked up at my local HD within a few days.

I would love to have found a 60 year old restored floor standing industrial duty drill press monstrosity of art in my garage but I lacked: funds, space, time, and expertise to find one and get it right without a lot of costly trial and error. A project I might take up in the future when space, time and money allow. The WEN drill presses fit casual consumer home use quite well and mine runs far quieter with less runout than the Harbor Freight model I borrowed from a friend.

 

[anndel]

Have the 4210 benchtop drill press for several years and though it's cheaply made, it works very well. Looking to get the belt/disc grinder combo.

 

[Smokeem]

Anndel or Montanafordman I'm looking to upgrade an old harbor freight drill press and was looking at these WEN drill presses. I already have their benchtop metal bandsaw and it has treated me really well. My question is does it have enough spindle travel for a normal 1/8"-1/2" unibit to go through? My current one does not have enough spindle travel and doesn't have enough height to get a 1/2" bit chucked in to drill