While drilling something, you might wonder if you need a drill guide or a drill press. But you are confused about which one to pick among the two.
You no longer need to be concerned. Because we’ve arrived at a suitable comparison.
So, which one should you choose, Drill Guide vs Drill Press?
The drill guide is a portable drill, whereas the drill press is a big machine. Hence, with a drill guide, you can do work anywhere at ease. However, with a drill press, you can handle heavy machinery work. Furthermore, a portable drill is cheaper than a drill guide.
Isn’t everything a mystery to you? The main article has extensive head-to-head comparisons. Continue reading to learn more!
Drill Guide or Drill Press – Quick Comparison
Both drill press and drill guide help you to drill something. But they do their job differently. Depending on what you need to do, you might wonder which one you want.
Here’s a table with short comparisons of Drill Guide vs Drill Press. Examine them out.
| Comparison Factor | Drill Guide | Drill Press |
| Size | Smaller | Bigger |
| Power | Weaker | Stronger |
| Speed | Weaker | Stronger |
| Portability | Highly Portable | Least Portable |
| Price Range | $40-$100 | $90-$600 |
Even though this short comparison is useful, you need a detailed comparison. For that, the next section will help you to choose suitable machinery.
Drill Guide or Drill Press – Detailed Comparison
A fast summary is insufficient to grasp the distinctions between the drills. We will examine and contrast every element of these two drills. This will assist us in determining their respective specialties.
It will help us decide which one to buy based on our needs. So, let us get started.
Type:
Portable drill guides are often classified into two categories. They are drill guide blocks or guides that function with a pressing mechanism. A pushing mechanism is used in these drill guides.
As a result, they have a section where you can attach power drills of various drill bit sizes.
Drill presses are divided into two types. There are bench top and stationary models available. Benchtop models are more compact, lighter, and simpler to travel.
Floor versions are heavier and more difficult to carry, but they provide more power and capacity.
Winner: Both types of machinery come in two types.
Milescraft 1318 DrillMate Portable Drill Guide
- Perfect for straight or angled drilling, drilling on the edge of a board or on round stock
- Attaches to all 3/8″ And 1/2″ Power drills and it also includes a 3/8″ Capacity chuck with key
- Angle cuts of 45 Degree to 90 degrees, with a built in angle read out in the all metal base
- Centering channels built into the bottom of the base, to accommodate drilling any round stock up to 3 inches in diameter
- Adjustable depth stop and spring action control of the head
Size:
When it comes to size, the drill press dwarfs the drill guide. The drill guide is a little instrument that will assist you in drilling something. When a drill guide is insufficient, a drill press is employed to handle larger tasks.
Hence, you get the fact that the drill press is larger than the drill guide.
Winner: The drill guide is more portable.
Wolfcraft 4525404 Multi-Angle Drill Guide
- Drill Guide That Can Be Used In Horizontal, Vertical Or Angle Positions
- Guide-Bars Themselves Have Springs For A Quick Return When Doing Repetitive Drilling
- Drill Adapter Itself Slides Up And Down On Guide-Bars
- Angle Positions Can Go Up To 45 Degrees, And Rubber Pads In The Base Hold The Guide In Place
Features:
A drill guide is a tool that assists you in drilling straight holes. But it can help you out in a variety of ways. You can easily drill holes in edges with a drill guide.
You can also use this on the round stock of pipes and dowels. With a portable drill guide, you can also easily drill holes in difficult angles.
You can do nearly everything with a drill press. From building a coat rack to making toys, everything is possible with a drill press.
It can also help you to sand the edges of curved pieces. Many types additionally allow for table tilting from side to side. It allows you to drill at any angle.
You can use a saw on a drill press to cut wood if you want. After a certain time of using the saw, it might not spin. So, use it carefully.
Winner: Drill press has more features.
Power:
When it comes to power, the drill press is way above the drill guide. The drill press is heavy and relatively big machinery used to drill holes.
The power of the drill press can be calculated by the watts. The drill press is more powerful as the wattage increases. So, drill press safety is a must when using one.
A drill guide, on the other hand, is a small handheld tool to help with drilling. It doesn’t require any electricity and its power kind of depends on the user.
If you need extra power, you may choose between a drill press and a bandsaw. A drill press, on the other hand, has more functions and accomplishes the job better.
Winner: Drill press is more powerful.
WEN 4214T 5-Amp 12-Inch
- Features a 5-amp induction motor, a 12-inch swing, and a 3-1/8-inch spindle travel
- Adjust the mechanical variable speed anywhere from 580 to 3200 RPM
- Digital speed readout displays current RPM of the machine for maximum precision
- Includes a Class IIIA 2.5mW laser, overhead light, adjustable depth stop, table roller extension, beveling 9-1/2 by 9-1/2-inch work table, 5/8-inch capacity keyed chuck, a chuck key with onboard storage, and a two-year warranty
- Measures in at 16.8 by 13.5 by 36.6 inches in size with a weight of 85 pounds
Speed:
The majority of drill presses offer variable rotation speeds for effective drilling in a variety of materials. Higher-end models have faster speeds. Benchtop variants commonly have five or six gears. Whereas, a nice floor model may contain up to 16.
The drill guide’s speed depends on the user as it’s not a machine-like drill press. It’s not gonna work that fast when compared to the drill press.
But it will help with drilling precisely. These precision drill guides are portable and lightweight, and easy to assemble.
So a Drill Press’s rotation speed is always faster than a drill guide.
Winner: Drill Press’s rotation speed is faster.
RIKON 30-120 13-Inch Drill Press
- Powerful 1/2HP motor
- 16 Spindle Speeds (200-3,630)
- Solid Steel and Cast Iron Construction
- Rack and Pinion Table Height
- Clutch Depth Stop
Portability:
When it comes to portability, the drill guide is always ahead of the drill press. The drill guide is a small handheld instrument in terms of the drill press. So it’s always easy to move around the drill guide. Being portable drill guides are always easy to use.
Here are some recommended drill guide models for easier usage.
For quick assemble go for Milescraft DrillMate Portable Drill Guide.
A more versatile drill guide is Wolfcraft Multi-Angle Drill Guide.
People use the Milescraft Drillmate for accuracy. Here’s someone using the tool for woodwork.
The benchtop models of the drill press are lighter compared to other models. And it is also portable. But you still might have trouble moving it as it’s not that small.
Winner: Drill Guide is more portable.
Price:
When it comes to price, the drill press is always more expensive. As it’s a big machine, it’s normal for it to be expensive.
The drill guide is the cheaper option if you need help drilling something. It might cost you somewhere between 40 to 100 dollars.
For a decent drill press, you will need at least 90 to 600 dollars. Let’s see some of the best drill presses available on the market.
For an industry-standard drill press go for WEN Iron Benchtop Drill Press.
A high-speed drill press is RIKON 30-120 13-Inch Drill Press
Winner: Drill Guide is a cheaper option.
So, Which Machine Should You Go for?
Are you still stumped and unable to make a decision? Don’t be alarmed. Let us sum it up for you.
If you are looking for a portable drill, you should go for the drill guide. It is cheap and easy to use. It is also portable, which means it is easier to transport than a drill press.
What if you are working on something large and in need of power? In this situation, you should always use a drill press. No matter what the job, it will get it done and more. You may require some experience before operating this sort of large gear.
Hope this will help you to choose a suitable machine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Drill Without A Drill Press?
There are several methods available for drilling a hole without a drill. You can use a jab saw, a hand file, or a mandrel and sandpaper. Drawing the appropriate diameter’s size first might also be useful. Once the hole is the right size, physically file away any extra wood.
What Is The Most Accurate Drill Press?
A drill press is a tool that is used to make holes in wood and many other materials. Portable drills, on the other hand, exceed drill presses in terms of power and accuracy. The WEN 12-inch Variable press is among the best available.
Can You Drill Through Metal Without Drill Press?
To drill holes in metal, almost any general-purpose twist bit may be used. Most metal drill bits are designed to drill through a range of materials. They range from wood to plastic.
Is Cordless Drill Guide good?
Cordless drills are easy-to-use portable drills. These drills can be used anywhere very easily. These are very strong, easy to handle, and easily rechargeable. Because of this, it’s convenient to use a portable drill guide.
Conclusion
So, now know the main differences between a drill guide vs drill press. Whichever one you choose, it should be beneficial.
Both of them are good and depending on your need, you should pick the right one.
Have fun drilling holes. See you next time!
