A Closer Look at the Grizzly G0925 8-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Drill Press

The Grizzly G0925 gets called the “baby” drill press by its own manufacturer, and that is fair. It is a compact 8-inch benchtop press that weighs 34 pounds, stands about 23-1/2 inches tall, and fits on the corner of a small bench. But the features behind that small footprint are more serious than the nickname suggests: a T-slotted cast-iron table that tilts and swivels 360 degrees, a head that swivels 360 degrees, five stepped speeds from 740 to 3,140 RPM, a JT33 keyed chuck, and Grizzly’s direct parts support. If you need a drill press that takes up almost no space and handles light-to-general work accurately, the G0925 is worth a close look. Here is the honest review.

The Grizzly G0925 is an 8-inch benchtop drill press with a 1/3-HP, 120V, 2.3-amp induction motor, five speeds from 740 to 3,140 RPM, a JT33 keyed chuck from 1/16 to 1/2 inch, a 2-inch spindle travel, a 6-1/2-by-6-1/2-inch cast-iron table with two 5/8-inch T-slots, a head that swivels 360 degrees, a footprint of 7-1/2 by 11-1/2 inches, about 34 pounds of weight, and a one-year warranty.

Short answer: the Grizzly G0925 is a well-built compact 8-inch 5-speed benchtop press for light-to-general drilling in wood, plastic, and thin metal. Its T-slotted table, 360-degree swivel head, and direct Grizzly parts support set it apart from budget brands at a similar size. Its limits are the ones you expect from a small 8-inch press: light power, short stroke, and small table. For a small shop or limited bench space, it earns its keep. Here is the detail.

Specifications confirmed

• Motor: 1/3 HP, 120V, single-phase, 2.3A, TEFC induction at 1,700 RPM.
• Swing: 8 inches (4 inches bit-to-column).
• Spindle taper: JT33.
• Spindle travel: 2 inches with a threaded depth stop.
• Spindle speeds: 5, from 740 to 3,140 RPM.
• Chuck: 1/16 to 1/2-inch keyed, JT33.
• Drilling capacity: 1/2-inch mild steel.
• Max spindle-to-table distance: 7-1/2 inches.
• Head swivel: 360 degrees.
• Table: 6-1/2 by 6-1/2 inches, precision-ground cast iron, tilts 45 degrees left and right, swivels 360 degrees around the column.
• Table T-slots: Two, 5/8-inch width, 4-3/8-inch on center.
• Footprint: 7-1/2 by 11-1/2 inches.
• Overall dimensions: 9 inches W by 17-1/2 inches D by 23-1/2 inches H.
• Weight: About 34 pounds.
• Warranty: One year, parts and factory-defect coverage.

What is genuinely good

The T-slotted cast-iron table. A precision-ground cast-iron table with two 5/8-inch T-slots on a press this small is unusual. You can attach a fence, small vise, or hold-down with a T-bolt rather than improvising. The table swivels 360 degrees and tilts 45 degrees; that flexibility handles angled drilling and repositioning without moving the workpiece.

360-degree head swivel. The head rotates around the column, which means you can drill off-center on large panels by swinging the head out rather than moving the workpiece. Not all small presses have this.

Grizzly parts and support. Grizzly sells directly (grizzly.com) and maintains a parts warehouse in Springfield, MO. Parts for the G0925 are available online, unlike Harbor Freight’s store-only service model. US-based customer service at 570-546-9663.

ISO 9001 factory. Made in a certified factory, which matters for casting and machining consistency.

What is just okay

No laser or work light. The G0925 keeps it simple. A punched mark and a desk lamp get the job done, but buyers accustomed to laser guides will notice the absence.

No depth scale indicator beyond the threaded depth stop. The depth stop works well; the readout is minimal.

The honest flaws

Light power. A 1/3-HP, 2.3-amp motor is sized for light work. Large bits in hardwood or metal will bog it.

Short stroke. Two inches of spindle travel means deep holes require table repositioning.

Small table. A 6-1/2-inch square table limits workpiece support; clamp carefully.

8-inch swing. Four inches from bit to column is the smallest practical press size; it suits hobby work and small workpieces.

Belt-change speeds. Five fixed speeds, no dial.

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

Buy it if you have limited bench space, drill small-to-medium holes in wood and thin metal for hobby or light shop work, and want a compact machine with a T-slotted table and direct manufacturer support.

Skip it if you drill large bits, heavy hardwood, or metal regularly, need a work light and laser, want variable speed, or need a larger table and more stroke. In that case, the variable-speed WEN 4212T is a better choice, or the WEN 4208T 8-inch if you want a comparable 8-inch with a light and two-year warranty.

How it compares

Against a WEN 4208T 8-inch, the G0925 trades the WEN’s LED work light and two-year warranty for the T-slotted table and head swivel. The WEN is the more feature-rich; the Grizzly is the more fixture-friendly. Against a Central Machinery 5-speed, the G0925 wins on table quality, head swivel, T-slots, and direct parts support, for a step up in price. Against a 10-inch WEN 4212T, the G0925 trades variable speed, a digital readout, and more swing for a smaller footprint and T-slots. Choose the G0925 when footprint and fixture clamping matter most.

The verdict

The Grizzly G0925 is the compact 8-inch press done properly: a T-slotted precision-ground cast-iron table, a 360-degree swivel head, five speeds from 740 to 3,140 RPM, and direct Grizzly parts support, all in a 34-pound footprint of 7-1/2 by 11-1/2 inches. Its limits, light power, 2-inch stroke, small table, no laser or light, and five fixed speeds, are exactly what an 8-inch compact press delivers. For a small shop, a second bench press for detail work, or any setup where footprint is the constraint, the G0925 is a well-built and genuinely useful machine.

Frequently asked questions

What are the specs of the Grizzly G0925? An 8-inch swing, a 1/3-HP 120V 2.3-amp TEFC induction motor, five speeds from 740 to 3,140 RPM, a 1/16-to-1/2-inch JT33 keyed chuck, 2-inch spindle travel, a 6-1/2-inch square cast-iron table with two 5/8-inch T-slots, 360-degree head and table swivel, 45-degree table tilt, a 7-1/2-by-11-1/2-inch footprint, about 34 pounds, and a one-year warranty.

Does the Grizzly G0925 have a laser? No. The G0925 does not include a laser guide or work light. Mark and punch your hole locations, which is the reliable method regardless.

Is the Grizzly G0925 good for metal? For thin metal and small bits at the correct slow speed, yes. Its maximum drilling capacity in mild steel is 1/2 inch, and its 1/3-HP motor is not sized for large-diameter bits or heavy continuous metal drilling.

What chuck does the Grizzly G0925 use? A 1/16-to-1/2-inch JT33 keyed chuck. Replacement JT33 chucks are widely available from Grizzly and other sources.

How do I get parts for the Grizzly G0925? Directly from Grizzly (grizzly.com), by model G0925, with parts diagrams available online. US-based customer service is at 570-546-9663. Parts are stocked and shipped from Grizzly’s Springfield, MO warehouse.

What is the table size on the Grizzly G0925? A 6-1/2-by-6-1/2-inch precision-ground cast-iron table with two 5/8-inch T-slots (4-3/8-inch on center). It tilts 45 degrees left and right and swivels 360 degrees around the column.

Is the Grizzly G0925 worth it compared to a WEN 8-inch? The Grizzly G0925’s T-slotted table and 360-degree head swivel make it better for fixturing. The WEN 4208T adds an LED work light and a two-year warranty. Both are quality 8-inch presses; choose by whether T-slots or a warranty matters more to you.

References

• Grizzly Industrial, G0925 specifications, parts, and manual: https://www.grizzly.com
• Woodshop News, Grizzly G0925 introduction: https://www.woodshopnews.com
• Popular Woodworking, compact benchtop drill press guidance: https://www.popularwoodworking.com