Ellis 9400 Drill Press Review: An Industrial Machine, Honestly Assessed

The Ellis 9400 is not a woodworking drill press, and pretending otherwise would do you a disservice. This is an American-built industrial machine from Ellis Manufacturing, a company that makes bandsaws and drill presses for metalworking shops, and everything about the 9400 reflects that: a 2-HP motor, a genuinely variable 0-to-1,200-RPM range, electronic reversing for tapping, and nearly 700 pounds of cast iron. If you drill and tap metal for a living, this is a serious contender. If you are a woodworker, you need to understand why its headline spec, that slow top speed, is exactly wrong for you. Here is the honest assessment.

The Ellis 9400 is an American-made industrial variable-speed drill press with a 2-HP motor, an infinitely variable 0-to-1,200-RPM speed range set by a dial, electronic reversing for tapping, an MT3 spindle, a 4-inch-diameter column, and a weight around 675 pounds, built for metalworking and tapping rather than high-speed woodworking.

Short answer: the Ellis 9400 is an excellent industrial drill press for metalworking and production tapping, with full torque at low speed, dial-set infinitely variable speed, and built-in power down feed, but its 1,200-RPM ceiling makes it a poor choice for woodworking, and the chuck is sold separately. Buy it for a metal shop; look elsewhere for wood. Here is the detailed review.

Build and capacity

The 9400 is built like the industrial tool it is. The numbers:

• 2-HP AC motor, 110/220V, 6.8 amps, rated for continuous (S1) duty.
• MT3 spindle taper, a heavier, more capable taper than the MT2 found on most shop presses.
• 3-inch-diameter quill and a 4-inch-diameter column, both substantial.
• 5-3/8-inch spindle travel and about 27-1/4 inches spindle-to-table.
• Drilling capacity: to center of 18-1/8 inches, 1-1/16 inch in steel, 1-1/4 inch in cast iron, and tapping to 3/4 inch.
• Table: roughly 15.88 by 17.88 inches with two T-slots and a coolant trough, on a machine about 69-1/2 inches tall.
• Weight: around 675 to 677 pounds.

That coolant trough and the steel-and-cast-iron capacity ratings tell you plainly: this machine expects metal.

The variable-speed and tapping system

The 9400’s defining features are about control, not speed:

Infinitely variable 0-1,200 RPM by dial. No belt changes; dial in any speed in the range while running. Crucially, the machine holds full torque even at low speed, which is exactly what large bits and taps in metal demand.

Electronic reversing. The motor reverses electronically, so the spindle can back a tap out of a threaded hole. That means tapping without a separate tapping head, a real production feature.

Power down feed, standard. A powered downfeed comes standard, reducing operator fatigue and improving consistency on repetitive drilling, another sign of its production-shop intent.

Together these make the 9400 a superb tapping and metal-drilling machine. Low-speed torque plus reversing plus power feed is a combination most shop presses simply do not offer.

The honest flaws

The 1,200-RPM ceiling is the big one. Woodworking, especially small bits, wants high spindle speeds (often 3,000 RPM and up). The 9400 tops out at 1,200 RPM, which is ideal for metal and tapping but too slow for clean, efficient work with small bits in wood. This is a metalworking machine, full stop.

The chuck is sold separately. The 9400 does not necessarily include a chuck; a ball-bearing MT3 keyed chuck (1/16 to 3/4 inch) is a separate purchase. Budget for it.

Weight and footprint. At nearly 700 pounds and about 69-1/2 inches tall, this is a permanent installation. Moving it is a project.

Not a mainstream retail purchase. The 9400 is sold through industrial dealers such as Trick-Tools, Elite Metal Tools, Penn Tool, Acme Tools, and welding-supply outlets, not a typical consumer product page. Warranty is 1 year.

Who should skip it

Woodworkers, straightforwardly. If your work is wood, the 1,200-RPM ceiling alone rules the 9400 out; you want a high-speed machine like an 18-inch Nova Voyager or a JET JDP-17MF instead. Also skip it if you want an all-in-one machine with a chuck included and a simple retail purchase and warranty. The 9400 is a specialist’s tool.

Who should buy it

Metalworking shops, fabricators, and anyone who taps threads regularly. The full-torque low speed, electronic reversing, power downfeed, MT3 spindle, and metal-rated capacity make the 9400 a genuinely excellent production drill-and-tap machine, and being American-made with industrial-dealer support is a bonus for a working shop.

The verdict

The Ellis 9400 is an outstanding industrial drill press judged as what it is: a metalworking and tapping machine. Full torque across a dial-set 0-to-1,200-RPM range, electronic reversing for headless tapping, standard power down feed, an MT3 spindle, and nearly 700 pounds of American iron add up to a serious production tool. Its 1,200-RPM ceiling, which makes it superb for metal, is exactly what disqualifies it for woodworking, and the separately sold chuck and industrial-only sales channel are things to plan for. If you run a metal shop and tap regularly, the 9400 earns its keep. If you work wood, buy a high-speed press instead. Our Ellis drill press lineup guide covers the broader range.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Ellis 9400 drill press? An American-made industrial variable-speed drill press with a 2-HP motor, a dial-set 0-to-1,200-RPM range, electronic reversing for tapping, an MT3 spindle, and a weight around 675 pounds, built for metalworking.

What is the speed range of the Ellis 9400? Infinitely variable from 0 to 1,200 RPM, set by a dial, with full torque held even at low speed. That range suits metal drilling and tapping but is too slow for high-speed woodworking.

Can the Ellis 9400 tap threads? Yes. Its electronic reversing backs a tap out of a threaded hole, so it taps (to 3/4 inch) without a separate tapping head, and it includes a standard power down feed.

Does the Ellis 9400 come with a chuck? Not necessarily. A ball-bearing MT3 keyed chuck (1/16 to 3/4 inch) is typically a separate purchase, so budget for it.

Is the Ellis 9400 good for woodworking? No. Its 1,200-RPM top speed is too slow for efficient small-bit woodworking. It is a metalworking and tapping machine; woodworkers should choose a high-speed press.

Where can I buy an Ellis 9400 drill press? Through industrial dealers such as Trick-Tools, Elite Metal Tools, Penn Tool, and Acme Tools, and welding-supply outlets, rather than a typical consumer retail page. It carries a 1-year warranty.

How much does the Ellis 9400 weigh? Around 675 to 677 pounds, standing about 69-1/2 inches tall. It is a permanent installation and a substantial machine to move.

References

• Ellis Manufacturing Co., 9400 drill press specifications: https://www.ellissaw.com
• Trick-Tools, Ellis 9400 drill press listing and specs: https://www.trick-tools.com
• Penn Tool Co., Ellis 9400 variable-speed drill press: https://www.penntoolco.com