Wen 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press Review - Model
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ก.ค. 2024
- Check out this Wen brand 12-inch variable speed drill press tool review. This Wen model #4214 variable speed drill press has many features including a sliding support rail, guiding lasers, and an onboard work light. By far, the best feature of this 12-inch Wen benchtop drill press is its variable speed capability. In fact, this Wen model #4214 drill press can run between 580 - 3200 RPM's making it very versatile for many woodworking shops and is adjustable with a simple move of a handle. I have found the spindle depth stop on this Wen drill press very handy as well. The spindle depth stop on this Wen 12-inch variable speed benchtop drill press makes drilling accurate holes and repeatable drills very easy and the mechanism is very reliable. The spindle travel does have the depth stop but can only travel a maximum amount of 3 inches. Also, because the RPM's only go down to 580 this Wen drill press cannot drill extremely wide holes that would require 300-400 RPMs. I will detail all of these pros and cons in this Wen 12-inch variable speed benchtop drill press tool review video. After using this drill press in my shop for about two years, I have come to trust the Wen brand and I have also found their tools to be very durable and reliable. The Wen brand customer service is also great, making this tool a great choice for woodworkers like myself. If you are on the market for a new drill press this review will surely help you make an educated decision for your next great drill press for woodworking. Enjoy this Wen 12-inch variable speed drill press review!
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I really hope that you found this review helpful! If you have any other questions about this Wen drill press feel free to ask away and I will be sure to answer back, thanks. Have a great day!
where can I get this model for that price?
Nice review, William. What is the height of the stand you built to support the drill press? I see Wen replaced the original chuck and spindle assembly. Are there adjustment mechanisms on the press to set up alignment of the spindle/chuck? Thank you. -Bruce Ratcliffe
I have this exact model and am more than happy with it. The variable speed option was a decision maker. I actually mounted mine on a stand I picked up for about $50 at Harbor Frieght and it’s like having a floor model drill press. My only issue was the factory chuck. It had a lot of run out so I just picked up an after market replacement and it solved the issue. You can’t beat this for what you get for the price.
Going to order this tonight. I can vouch for the customer service. When I have called, the techs are very knowledgable and helpful. I even had one talk me through putting my band saw back together after I had screed it up while changing the blade!
Yes with the affordability and customer service I highly recommend the Wen brand. That is a great example of how awesome the Wen customer service can be!
I have the 10" model and it suits my needs. I can always get longer drill bits if necessary. I can swing my drill table out of the way and get 3.5" more space between the chuck and base plate. The head can swing around 180 deg and use the shop floor as a table (never needed to, though).
My son just gave me his 4214 today, I love it, I had just an old Harbor Freight 9 inch bench top drill press, and all it could drill though was soft woods. This Wen does the job on hard woods. I have space issues, so this worked out great. I will be building a stand for it with wheels so I can move it around my little shop area. My shop is a 10 by 14 foot Tuff shed.
That is awesome! I hope it turned out great for you!
Very nice and in-depth review with great details. I am ordering very soon. Thank you for sharing.
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Excellent, balanced video. Great work with the pro and cons.
You might find very useful a magnetic angle indicator. Most often seen on table saws, this would give you a digital readout of the table tilt and give instant resetting to 0. Very nice review.
Love your videos and enthusiasm.
Thanks so much, I really appreciate it!
Great video! Thanks for uploading.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video . Thanks
Great information I am buying one today!!!
Hope you enjoy it!
Excellent review! There is a new in the box unit for sale on CL. Based on your review I am going to hold on buying it.
Hope you enjoy it!
thank you very much this video seems very helpful
You are very welcome!
I recently purchase and assembled a WEN 4225, a very similar but floor standing model. I agree, the customer service was great. I wanted to get your model, the 4214 but it was out of stock for another month or so and I'm impatient. Oh well. I like your project cars, it would be great if you could make some "drill press project" videos! :)
Great review. I have the same drill and it’s pretty solid. Not bad for the DIYer
Thanks for the positive feedback on the review! Best of luck to you on your future projects!
Only during the warranty period. Outside the warranty period, they charge a pretty penny for those types of replacement parts. With the laser, you can achieve drilling into pieces thicker than 4 inches.
Thank you for the valuable information.
Great review... I am looking into getting this same model for drilling holes with a diamond bit thru rocks... me and my wife hunt for gems and minerals to make jewelry...
Thank you, and whoa what an interesting craft! Thank you for sharing that awesome skill. I wish you the best of luck with your future gem hunting and jewelry crafting! Hope this drill press model gets the job done for you.
Totally agree with you. My Wen 4214 works perfectly. The Wen brand is very good. I also got the Wen 6502T 4x36 belt sander, the Wen 10 inch bandsaw, the Wen rolling base for the bandsaw, also Wen F clamps and Wen Forstner bit set. All work great. I would highly recommend Wen products. I bought all my Wen tools directly from Wen Products at better prices and free shipping than Amazon or anywhere else.
I have not found one video yet that shows how the pulleys move to change the RPM.
My research says they use a lever system to adjust the CVT type pulley system to vary the speed - similar to ones used on ATVs. Probably less expensive and more reliable than electronically controlling the speed.
I just got one of these brand new through auction for 67.00. I put it together but haven’t used it yet. I noticed the variable speed is hard to turn when it not running. I haven’t really messed with it or read the instructions but I imagine the variable speed handle will be a lot easier to adjust if it’s done while it’s running. Is that right?
Good review and consistent with other reviews of this model. Are you still using this or have you moved up to a higher end model.
One thing I didn’t hear you talk about was the amount of play in the quill. Many of these cheaper designs have a lot of play (learned through experience on one I regret purchasing). Can you extend the quill all the way to the bottom and then pull back and forth on the chuck to show us how much it moves?
I don’t have a video, but you’re right there is a little play but not enough to mess up the drilling process. To minimize the quill play make sure the drill bit is as close to the wood as possible before drilling which can be done by moving the drill press table.
Can this drill through metal?
I have this drill press and its terrible on forstner bits at 2" I have called customer service they diagnosed a motor , sent me a new one but it will not cut a 1 7/8" hole in pine. still working with WEN Just don't know what's going to fix it. sent them a few videos at the RPM they requested, I think the quill bearings were installed badly and way to tight and the larger bits bind up... I will attest to they are really trying to figure out what my problem is, and my unit is out of warranty and they are still working the problem, I will be working with tech support in the morning, lets hope it can be solved, because the drill press really is a good one, Mine just needs some help.
The larger bits do tend to bind up when you start getting past 2 inches with forstner bits so that's not super unusual. Sometimes you have to get the feel for drilling such large holes and work the drill bit in slowly and back out when you can feel it start to slow down. Most budget drill presses have a limit and when you hit there limit the motor just doesn't have enough torque to keep driving the bit through so its common for sure. As for their customer service, again its excellent in my opinion. Best of luck to you!
@@_Shopfix I know a smaller unit has limitations However WEN expressly demonstrates that the 4214 could do what i wanted, and after a month of Tech support they tell me it can't do what i wanted, 1 7/8 forstner in pine. very sad
hi, how does this model handle steel (e.g. 1/2 inch)
Hey, I have personally not drilled through metal with this model so I am not sure how it handles steel. I’d contact Wen to find that out. Thanks for the comment, sorry I couldn’t be of anymore help, take care.
It handles mild steel like any other of its torque. Just be sure and use carbide bits for best results. The main draw back with this press is in drilling with large mortise bits in wood; speed is too high at lowest. But if you need a high power /torque get a better/much more expensive press.
How do you adjust the depth of cut so you can repeat the depth of the drill in the wood?
That threaded rod on the left hand side of the drill head with two knurled stops is your drill stop. Set your depth, run the bottom one down to the casting then run the top one down as a lock ring. These have been around for years. Some are located right on the handle.
Hey, reference this part of the video at 3:53. th-cam.com/video/Tno6Pql2xDs/w-d-xo.html
Why not just use a longer bit to drill deeper holes? Also I just bought one and it speeds down to 530-540
The length of bit really doesn’t matter as much as the spindle travel. The spindle travel of the drill press determines the depth of the hole you can make. The only way to drill deeper is to raise the drill press table during your drilling process. Drill the full length of the spindle depth and then raise the table but your drill bit will have to start inside of the hole. Hope this makes sense!!
@@_Shopfix Yes it does. Thanks.
Is this suitable for metal work ?
I have the same drill press, I would say that it is not ideal. The problem is that it is lacking in torque. The RPMs only go down to 580, while most other similar sized drill presses go down to 200, and therefore have 2-3 times more torque at the low end. It is sufficient for the occasional hole, but if you want to use it for metal work primarily I'd get something else.
Works well with aluminum (and cutting oil).
I just put my 9" bandsaw on the floor and just sit down to use it
That’s one way to do it, I’d recommend building a simple stand for it so you can easily work with the machine and have a comfortable cutting position!
What is the wedge for?
Are you referencing the wedge that I used on the drill press?
@@_Shopfix yes
It is used to drill at an angle without needed to adjust the drill press table.
There are more powerful benchtop drill presses to include radial arm drill presses. Be specific about dimensions and if you haven't tried something, don't speculate on what the drill press cannot do.
That drill looks to be to big to put on a regular height workbench, would have to do like he did and make a little workbench specifically for it. Still be a lot less expensive than a floor drill press.
It might be a bit too high for a regular workbench, but then again it might not be, for reference the bottom of the surface that my Wen drill press is resting on is 34 inches up from the floor to give you an idea of the height.
Might be fine for light duty, like wood-working,
Yes, it has been great for woodworking!
Why dont you just turn the RPM up if the drill is stopping? lol
You sacrifioe torque for higher speeds. Therefore, more likely to stall. You can have high speed with lower torque or higher torque with lower speeds. A bigger motor HP would be needed.
Disaggree with their customer service. They never respond to emails despite numerous attempts. Furthermore, the locking lever in the back has a thread on cast iron with steel bolt that just after a few tightenings the threads become messed up and no longer lock
I didn’t have that experience with mine! I’m sorry you have had a negative experience, that always sucks. Better luck with your next machine!
Cancel that question about spindle stop. I was looking at a picture of what I thought was the 12 inch press and it didn’t have the depth adjustment on the left hand side of the drill press.
Not everything is "SUPER GOOD".
For the cost of the machine, it was in my opinion.
Terrible torque. Not powerful. It is great for an entry level drill press. The forstner bit he shows is about as big as I would go, and very slow.
Its intended market is a DIY’er. For the average Joe it’s just fine. If you’re making your living and need a drill press then of course you step up to a Jet, Grizzly, or Powermatic.
You lost me when you said wen has great customer service. Everyone in the woodworking community knows they have the worst customer service in the hobby. Bought and paid for review by wen. No doubt.
None of my videos are sponsored. I had a good customer service experience but that’s only my experience. I’ve been impressed with the drill press performance to this day.