Grizzly G7948 12-Speed 20-Inch Floor Drill Press: The Full Story
I’ve set up a lot of drill presses over the years — rickety benchtop units bolted to plywood shelves, mid-range floor models that wobble when you lean on them, and a handful of machines that actually feel like they belong in a serious shop. The Grizzly G7948 falls into that last category. It’s a 303-pound cast iron floor press with a 20-inch swing, 12 speeds, and a 1.5 HP motor — and if you’re outgrowing a smaller machine, this is the kind of upgrade you only have to make once.
Let me give you the complete picture: what it does well, where it falls short, how it compares to the G7947, and whether it belongs in your shop.
What the G7948 Actually Is
The G7948 is a full-size floor drill press designed for serious woodworkers and light fabrication use. Grizzly built it around a precision-ground cast iron table, head, spindle housing, and base. The column is steel, the table moves on a crank-operated rack-and-pinion system, and the quill depth stop uses a hub-style mechanism for repeatable setups.
It’s been discontinued, which means you’ll find it on the used market or occasionally through dealers who still have old stock.
Full Specifications
| Spec | G7948 |
|---|---|
| Swing | 20 inches |
| Spindle Travel (Quill) | 4-3/4 inches |
| Spindle Taper | MT#4 |
| Chuck Type | JT3 Keyed Chuck |
| Chuck Capacity | 3/64” – 5/8” |
| Number of Speeds | 12 |
| Speed Range | 180 – 3,240 RPM |
| Motor | 1.5 HP, TEFC Capacitor-Start Induction |
| Motor Speed | 1,725 RPM |
| Power | 120V (15.8A) or 240V (7.9A), Single-Phase |
| Drilling Capacity in Mild Steel | 1-1/4 inches |
| Table Size | 18-3/4” x 16-3/4” |
| Table T-Slots | 3 (5/8”, 4-1/4” centers) |
| Table Tilt | 90° left and right |
| Table Swivel (around column) | 360° |
| Max Spindle to Table Distance | 28-1/2 inches |
| Overall Height | 70-3/4 inches |
| Weight | 303 lbs |
| Column Diameter | 3.642 inches |
| Depth Stop | Hub-style |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
The Chuck and Taper: Why JT3 Matters
The G7948 uses a JT3 (Jacobs Taper No. 3) chuck — not JT33. Those look similar on paper but are different tapers. JT3 is found on heavier floor presses. JT33 is found on smaller benchtop machines. If you buy the wrong arbor or replacement chuck, it won’t seat properly.
The spindle side uses MT#4 (Morse Taper #4) — notably stouter than the MT#2 found on budget benchtop presses.
Real-World Performance
The G7948’s 12-speed range (180 to 3,240 RPM) gives you genuine flexibility:
- At the low end: tap threads in aluminum or drill large-diameter holes in hardwood
- At the high end: clean speed for small pilot holes in wood or countersinks in soft materials
The 1.5 HP TEFC induction motor is a real workhorse — thermally protected, permanently lubricated bearings, built for continuous use.
The 4-3/4-inch quill travel is meaningful. Many 14-inch presses offer only 3 to 3-1/4 inches. That extra depth lets you drill through thick stock without repositioning the workpiece as often.
One honest note: the G7948 can technically drill a 1-1/4-inch hole in mild steel, but only if you step up through progressively larger sizes first. You won’t plunge a 1-1/4-inch twist drill straight into solid steel.
G7948 vs. G7947: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | G7948 (20”) | G7947 (17”) |
|---|---|---|
| Swing | 20 inches | 17 inches |
| Table Size | 18-3/4” × 16-3/4” | 13-5/8” × 13-5/8” |
| Number of T-Slots | 3 | 2 |
| Motor | 1.5 HP | 1.5 HP |
| Speed Range | 180–3,240 RPM | 180–3,240 RPM |
| Spindle Travel | 4-3/4 inches | 4-3/4 inches |
| Weight | 303 lbs | ~283 lbs |
The real question is table size. The G7948’s 18-3/4” × 16-3/4” table is dramatically larger than the G7947’s 13-5/8” × 13-5/8” surface. If you regularly drill wide cabinet panels, door blanks, or large slabs, that extra surface area matters.
Who Should Buy the G7948
This machine is right for you if:
- You’re a serious furniture maker or cabinet shop who needs reliable, precise drilling for hours at a time
- You drill wide panels and need a big table with multiple clamping options
- You do any light fabrication alongside wood
- You’ve found a used unit in good shape
It’s probably overkill if:
- You do occasional hobby woodworking and rarely work with stock wider than 14 inches
- Floor space is genuinely limited
Accessories Worth Adding
A quality vise transforms the press into a precision locating machine. A 4” drill press vise fits the table well and handles typical cabinet and furniture work.
For metalworking applications or anyone who wants a more rigid hold, the Palmgren milling vise is a step up — a heavier, machinist-grade option that pairs well with the G7948’s cast iron table.
FAQ
Q: Is the Grizzly G7948 still being made? No. Grizzly has confirmed the G7948 is discontinued. Find it on the used market.
Q: What chuck size does the G7948 use? JT3 keyed chuck accepting bits from 3/64” to 5/8”.
Q: What’s the difference between JT3 and JT33? JT3 (Jacobs Taper No. 3) and JT33 are different tapers. JT3 is larger and used on heavier presses. JT33 is on lighter benchtop machines. Not interchangeable.
Q: Can the G7948 drill through metal? Yes — rated capacity is 1-1/4 inches in mild steel. Step up through smaller sizes rather than plunging a 1-1/4” bit directly.
Q: What circuit does the G7948 require? At 120V, it draws 15.8A and requires a dedicated 20A circuit. 240V is recommended for performance.
Q: Does the G7948 have a depth stop? Yes, a hub-style depth stop on the quill for repeatable drilling depths.
Q: Can I use a mortising attachment with the G7948? No. Grizzly’s documentation confirms the column collar is too large for standard mortising attachments.
Q: What mobile base fits the G7948? Grizzly lists the D2057A as the compatible mobile base.
Q: How does the table move on the G7948? A crank-operated rack-and-pinion system for smooth vertical travel.
Q: What’s the assembly time for the G7948? Grizzly estimates approximately 45 minutes.
References
- Grizzly G7948 Official Specifications Sheet: https://cdn0.grizzly.com/specsheets/g7948_ds.pdf
- Grizzly G7948 FAQ (Discontinued): https://support.grizzly.com/hc/en-us/articles/4411307933079-FAQ-G7948-Drill-Press-Discontinued
- Grizzly G7947/G7948 Owner’s Manual: https://cdn0.grizzly.com/manuals/g7948_m.pdf
