Shopping for a SKIL Benchtop Drill Press? Start With Size, Speed, and Support

SKIL is a brand built for the person who wants a capable tool without a steep learning curve, and its benchtop drill presses fit that identity. These are compact bench machines (the model 3320 is one people ask about most) aimed at the DIY user and weekend woodworker. If you are shopping for a SKIL benchtop drill press, whether new or one of the many used examples out there, the smart way in is to work through size, then speed, then support (especially the belt and parts, which are the things owners ask about). Here is how.

What a SKIL benchtop drill press is

A SKIL benchtop drill press is a compact stationary machine built on the standard layout: a motor driving a stepped-pulley belt for several speeds, a spindle with a keyed chuck, a quill with a return spring and travel for drilling, a depth stop, and a small cast table that tilts for angled work. SKIL aims these at home and DIY use, so they favor easy setup, a friendly footprint, and simple operation over industrial muscle. The model 3320 is a commonly referenced SKIL bench press, and the range runs to small swings like 8-inch and 10-inch. These sit on a bench and handle the everyday drilling that makes up most home-shop work.

Start with size

Size is where shopping begins:

• Swing. SKIL bench presses come in small swings (commonly 8-inch and 10-inch). Swing is the spindle-to-column distance doubled, and it sets the widest workpiece you can center.
• Spindle travel. The stroke sets how deep you drill in one pass; expect a modest travel matched to light work.
• Footprint. These are compact and light, easy to place on a crowded bench and store, which is much of their appeal.

If your work is home-shop scale, a SKIL bench press is sized right. For wide stock or deep drilling, a larger benchtop or floor press is the better call.

Then speed and support

After size, weigh speed and what backs the machine, which is where most SKIL questions land:

• Speed range. The belt gives several speeds; slower for larger bits and metal, faster for small bits in wood. Move the belt between pulleys to change speed.
• The drive belt. The most-asked SKIL part is the belt (owners search specifically for the model 3320 belt). The belt is a standard wear item; match it by size and keep a spare.
• Chuck and key. The keyed chuck and its key are standard; match a replacement chuck by taper and a key by chuck capacity.
• Manual and model number. Keep the manual for the speed chart and belt routing, and note the model number (like 3320) for anything model-specific.

Where a SKIL bench press fits

Let me be honest about the fit. A SKIL benchtop drill press is a solid choice for the DIY user and home woodworker who wants a compact, easy-to-use bench press for everyday drilling: pilot holes, dowels, light metal, and drum sanding. It sets up quickly, drills far straighter than a handheld drill, and takes little bench space. What it is not is a heavy-duty machine for large bits, thick steel, or continuous work, so match your expectations to light-duty home use. Within that lane, a SKIL bench press does exactly what most casual users need.

Tooling and replacement parts

Get the most from a SKIL bench press with good tooling. Keep a fresh drill press V-belt on the shelf (the most common SKIL part), fit a quality keyed drill chuck with the matching arbor if the original wears, and add a set of brad-point drill bits for clean holes in wood. A drill press vise makes work-holding safe, and a spare drill press chuck key saves a stalled job. Confirm the belt size and chuck taper before ordering.

The verdict

Shopping for a SKIL benchtop drill press comes down to matching a simple, compact bench machine to home-shop work, in order: start with size (small swings like 8-inch and 10-inch, modest travel, a compact footprint), then speed (a belt-driven range for wood and light metal), then support (the drive belt is the most-asked part, so match it by size and keep a spare, and note the model number like 3320 for anything specific). It drills far straighter than a handheld drill and handles everyday tasks dependably, but it is light-duty, so leave large bits, thick steel, and continuous work to a bigger press. Back it with a fresh belt, a good chuck, and bits, and a SKIL bench press earns its place on a home bench.

Takeaways:

• SKIL benchtop drill presses are compact, easy-to-use bench machines (like the model 3320) for DIY and home-shop use.
• Start with size: small swings (8-inch and 10-inch), modest travel, and a compact footprint.
• Then weigh speed (a belt-driven range) and support: the drive belt is the most-asked part, so match it by size and keep a spare.
• It is light-duty: great for everyday drilling, not for large bits, thick steel, or continuous work.

FAQ

What sizes does the SKIL benchtop drill press range include? Commonly small swings like 8-inch and 10-inch. Swing is the spindle-to-column distance doubled and sets the widest workpiece you can center.

What belt does a SKIL bench drill press (model 3320) use? A standard V-belt sized to the machine, the most commonly replaced SKIL part. Match it by size, and keep a spare on the shelf.

Is a SKIL benchtop drill press any good? For DIY and home-shop use, yes. It sets up easily, drills far straighter than a handheld drill, and handles everyday tasks dependably.

Where do I get SKIL drill press parts? Through SKIL’s parts and support; the everyday wear items (belt, chuck, key) are standard and easy to match. Note the model number like 3320 for anything specific.

What can a SKIL bench press do? Pilot holes, dowels, light metal, and drum sanding. It is a light-duty bench machine, not built for large bits, thick steel, or continuous work.

How do I change the speed on a SKIL drill press? Move the belt between the stepped pulleys per the speed chart in the manual: slower for larger bits and metal, faster for small bits in wood.

What chuck does it use? A keyed chuck on a standard taper. Confirm the taper by removing the chuck before ordering a replacement arbor, and size the key to the chuck.

References

• SKIL, benchtop drill press product listings and specifications: https://www.skil.com/
• SKIL, drill press manuals, parts, and support: https://www.skil.com/support
• Fine Woodworking, benchtop drill press buying guidance: https://www.finewoodworking.com/