Klutch Benchtop Drill Press Review: A 13-Inch Machine Worth the Space?
You walk into a farm supply store and see a green benchtop drill press with a 13-inch swing and a price tag that seems too good for the capacity. The Klutch benchtop drill press is sold through Northern Tool and is positioned as a step up from the entry-level 10-inch machines. But does the extra swing translate to extra performance, or is it just a bigger machine with the same limitations?
I have used the Klutch benchtop drill press in a shop setting and compared it to the WEN and JET models that dominate the mid-range market. The Klutch is a competent machine with a few standout features, but it also has the compromises you expect from a store-brand tool. This review explains what the Klutch does well, where it falls short, and who should consider it over the established names.
The Klutch benchtop drill press is a 13-inch variable speed machine with a 3/4-horsepower motor, 16 speeds, and a cast-iron table. It is sold as a general-purpose benchtop press for wood and metal, with a larger swing than most benchtop models and a motor that matches the JET JDP-15B. The 13-inch swing means you can drill the center of a 13-inch board, which is useful for cabinet panels and furniture components. The variable speed runs from 250 to 3050 RPM, and the table tilts 45 degrees left and right.
The short answer is that the Klutch benchtop drill press is a solid value for the capacity. It offers more swing than most benchtop presses in its price range, and the 3/4-horsepower motor is genuinely powerful. But the build quality and refinement are a step below the JET, and the quill is not as smooth. If you need the extra capacity and do not mind a few rough edges, it is a practical choice. If you want the best quill and table quality in a benchtop package, the JET is worth the extra cost.
Build Quality and Real-World Performance
The motor is the standout feature. A 3/4-horsepower motor on a benchtop press is rare in this price range. The Klutch does not slow down in hardwood or mild steel. The 16-speed belt system is standard, and the speed changes are straightforward. The table is cast iron and the elevation crank is functional. The chuck is a
