Drill presses help you quickly puncture through wood and other materials to leave a perfect circle behind and can often punch through several pieces or sheets at the same time. With the 12-inch variable speed drill press from WEN, you get both high and low revolutions, a locking depth stop and a cast iron worktable. We'll talk about the features of the 4214 as well as the cons of the drill press in our extensive review.
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WEN 4214
Contents
Best Features of WEN 4214
45-degree Beveling Table
Though WEN makes both larger and smaller drill presses (find out more products here), its 4214 is one of the top drill presses. It has a beveling work table that you can use at a 45-degree angle on the right or the left. Not only does this help you get the wood in the right position, but it lets you make cuts that are both circular and on an angle.
Side Extensions
With the extension table feature, you can get as much space as you need when working. This table measures 9.5 by 9.5 inches when used as-is but extends to just over 14 inches long. You can keep it folded to the original shape to save space and only extend it as needed.
Built-in work light
Two onboard tools make this easy to use: the laser light and work light. While the work light turns on and off in seconds to see your workstation, the laser helps you follow lines and other markings when cutting. You can use either tool with the depth adjustment gauge too, which lets you select the depth that you need and use the traveling spindle to reach that measurement.
Ease of Use and Reliability
The digital readout on the WEN 4214 is both one of the top features and something that makes it easier to use. When you need to change that speed, you can use the variable option and view the current speed on that screen. Just below the screen is an emergency stop button that brings the drill press to a stop in less than one second.
WEN doesn't offer as much customer support as similar companies do, but it includes an instructional manual in the box that features some troubleshooting advice. No matter what error you see or problem you encounter, you can use that guide to see what you need to do.
Cost
Getting a good drill press for less than $500 can seem impossible, but you can bring home the WEN 4214 without spending more than $300, and that includes the cost of shipping too. It is one of the most affordable variable drill presses that we found, especially when you factor in features such as the built-in work light and cast iron table.
Who is This For?
A good drill press can easily cost $500 or more and still not have all the features that you want. If you need an affordable drill press that comes loaded with features, the WEN 4214 might be the tool of your dreams. The high ratings that it gets from former customers show that it is worth the money.
We also recommend this drill press for those who work in dark spaces and don't want to deal with running extension cords because of the built-in light that is bright enough to illuminate the whole room. With the extension table, you can get more space to work too.
Is it Worth your Money?
The top features that make this drill press worth the money include the locking depth stop and powerful motor. While the 120V motor provides the fast and strong speed that you want, the locking depth stop ensures that you always get to the specific depth that you need. The cast iron worktable adds some durability to the machine and stops it from shaking as you cut to give you more control.
With the variable speed range, you can set a slow speed of 580 revolutions per minute or increase the speed to 3,200 revolutions. You'll always know that speed thanks to the digital display that shows it. WEN also added a work light for different applications.
Specifications
- 580 to 3,200 revolutions per minute
- 3-1/8-inch spindle travel
- 2.17-inch quill diameter
- 12-inch cutting diameter
- 9.5 X 9.5-inch worktable with extension feature
- 45-degree left and right bevel
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Does not require any manual belt changes
- Lets you set the speed you want and check the speed on the digital readout
- Includes an extension feature on the worktable
- Comes with a two-year warranty
- Adjusts to various depths on different projects
Cons
- Not a lot of help available through customer support
- Belt can move in different directions
- It can suffer some electrical failures
Final Verdict
With a depth adjustment gauge and digital readout, the WEN 4214 makes setting your specific depth and seeing your current speed easy. The press itself can cut a circle with a diameter of 12 inches and leave the edges nice and clean. It can also cut through boards that are more than three inches thick.
When working in cramped spaces, you can use the extension table to get more space for your projects, but that table folds back into place to take up less space too. No matter what type of projects you do, you can see how this tool can help you in our WEN 4214 drill press review.
