Which JET Floor Drill Press Belongs in Your Shop?
When a woodworker or metalworker decides it is time for a real floor-standing drill press, JET is one of the first names on the short list. JET has built a reputation for machines that sit between hobby tools and full industrial equipment, well made, well supported, and sized for serious shops. But JET offers several floor drill presses, from the 15-inch woodworking machine to the big 20-inch JDP-20MF, and picking the right one matters. Here is how to decide which JET floor drill press belongs in your shop.
What a JET floor drill press is
A JET floor drill press is a full-height, floor-standing machine built for capacity and rigidity that a benchtop press cannot match. The lineup includes machines like the JDP-17 (a roughly 16-1/2 to 17-inch press), the 15-inch woodworking model, the J-2500, and the large JDP-20MF (a 20-inch press). They share JET’s build quality: heavy cast iron, a multi-speed drive (many use a 16-speed belt system), a Morse taper spindle, a cast table that raises and tilts, and thoughtful details like chuck-key and wrench storage. These are machines meant to anchor a shop for years.
How the lineup breaks down
Match the machine to your work:
- 15-inch woodworking model. Sized and speeded for woodworking, a strong choice if wood is your main material and you want JET quality without the largest footprint.
- JDP-17 (about 16-1/2 to 17 inches). A versatile mid-large floor press with a 16-speed drive, suited to mixed wood and metal work. A popular all-rounder.
- J-2500. A floor model in JET’s established line, a capable general-purpose press.
- JDP-20MF (20 inches). The big one, with the most swing and capacity for large work and heavier drilling. Choose it when you routinely drill wide stock or want maximum reach.
The deciding factors are swing (how wide a workpiece you can center), spindle travel (how deep you can drill in one stroke), speed range (a lower bottom speed helps large bits and metal), and footprint.
What to check and set up right
When you get a JET floor press, a proper setup pays off. Follow the manual for base mounting holes and secure the machine, complete the setup and assembly steps in order, and make the electrical connections with proper grounding, avoiding long extension cords that starve the motor. Confirm the table movement, raising, and repositioning all work, and that the locking handles and set screws hold. Use the built-in chuck-key and wrench storage so the tools stay with the machine. Set the belt to the correct speed positions and tension per the manual.
Tooling and accessories
A floor press deserves good tooling. Fit a quality keyed drill chuck with the matching Morse taper arbor if you need to replace the original, add a drill press vise for safe work-holding, and keep a set of Forstner bits for wood and metal twist drill bits for metal. A spare drill press chuck key and a fresh drill press V-belt round out the kit. Confirm the spindle taper before ordering an arbor.
The verdict
The JET floor drill press that belongs in your shop depends on your material and your space. Choose the 15-inch woodworking model if wood is your main work and you want JET quality in a smaller footprint, the JDP-17 as a versatile 16-speed all-rounder for mixed wood and metal, the J-2500 as a capable general-purpose press, or the 20-inch JDP-20MF when you routinely drill wide stock and want maximum swing. Decide by swing, spindle travel, speed range, and footprint, set the machine up properly with secure mounting and correct grounding, and back it with a good chuck, vise, and bits. Any of them anchors a serious shop for years; the right one simply matches the work you actually do.
Takeaways:
- JET floor drill presses span the 15-inch woodworking model, the JDP-17, the J-2500, and the 20-inch JDP-20MF.
- They share heavy cast iron, a multi-speed drive (often 16 speeds), a Morse taper spindle, and tool storage.
- Choose by swing, spindle travel, speed range, and footprint, matched to wood, metal, or mixed work.
- Set up with secure base mounting and proper grounding, avoiding long extension cords.
FAQ
Which JET floor drill press is best for woodworking? The 15-inch woodworking model is sized and speeded for wood, while the JDP-17 is a versatile all-rounder for mixed wood and metal. Choose by your main material and footprint.
What is the biggest JET floor drill press? The JDP-20MF, a 20-inch machine with the most swing and capacity for large work and heavier drilling.
What is the JDP-17? A roughly 16-1/2 to 17-inch floor press with a 16-speed drive, a popular versatile choice for mixed wood and metal work.
How many speeds do JET floor presses have? Many use a 16-speed belt system, giving a wide range so you can match speed to material and bit size. Check the specific model.
Do I need to bolt down a JET floor drill press? Follow the manual: the base has mounting holes, and securing the machine improves stability and safety, especially for a tall floor press.
What spindle taper does a JET floor press use? A Morse taper. Confirm the exact size by removing the chuck before ordering a replacement arbor.
Can a JET floor press drill metal? Yes, especially models with lower bottom speeds and heavy build. Match the speed to the material and use cutting fluid for metal.
References
- JET Tools, floor drill press product line and specifications: https://www.jettools.com/us/en/p/drill-presses
- JET Tools, drill press owner’s manuals and parts: https://www.jettools.com/us/en/support
- Fine Woodworking, floor drill press reviews and buying guidance: https://www.finewoodworking.com/
