Grizzly T34608 review: a 15 in benchtop drill press with LED and laser
A benchtop drill press with a laser and light, written from the specifications.
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Grizzly T34608 15 in Benchtop Drill Press w/ LED & Laser GuideA 127 lb benchtop drill press with a 10-9/16 in square table that tilts 45 degrees each way and swivels 360, an MT2 spindle and 3-1/8 in of spindle travel.
Who it is for
- A garage woodworker or metalworker who wants a bench drill press with decent swing.
- Someone drilling holes up to 5/8 in in mild steel.
- A shop with bench space but no floor space for a stand.
- Anyone who values a laser crosshair for lining up a hole.
Who should skip it
- Anyone who regularly drills tall workpieces. A floor press has more spindle-to-table distance.
- Shops that need heavy industrial duty.
- Buyers wanting electronic variable speed; this press changes speed by moving the belt.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Motor | 3/4 HP, 120V, 5.3A |
| Swing | 15-1/4 in |
| Spindle taper | MT2 |
| Spindle travel | 3-1/8 in |
| Speeds | 12 speeds, 250 to 3100 RPM |
| Chuck | 5/8 in JT3 keyed |
| Capacity | 5/8 in in mild steel |
| Spindle to table | 18-1/4 in |
| Table | 10-9/16 in square, tilts 45 left and right, swivels 360 |
| T-slots | Four, 15 mm |
| Footprint | 19-1/2 x 12 in |
| Height | 42 in |
| Weight | 127 lb |
What the spec sheet does not tell you
Twelve speeds is a feature you will use. A 5/8 in bit in steel needs a slow speed and a 1/8 in bit in wood wants a fast one. The drill press speed calculator and the drill speed chart give a starting point, and changing speed is a belt move, not a dial.
At 5.3A, the motor is easy on a household circuit. A press of this class is a bench machine that does not demand an electrical project, which is one of the strongest arguments for it in a small garage.
The laser and LED are conveniences, and their value depends on alignment. A laser crosshair only helps if it is aligned to the chuck axis, so check it against a punch mark before trusting it. The LED helps in a shop with poor overhead light.
The 18-1/4 in spindle-to-table distance and 3-1/8 in of spindle travel set the limit on workpiece height. A tall vise raises the effective stack quickly. At 127 lb the press must be bolted to a bench that can take the weight and the vibration.
Think about what the press is for before you buy. Most bench drill press work is repeatable holes in wood, plastic and thin metal, where a clamped workpiece, a fence and a stop block matter more than horsepower. A stock table with four 15 mm T-slots makes it easy to bolt on a fence or a hold-down, and a sacrificial board underneath protects the table. Pair the press with a decent bit set; our drill bit set guide covers what to look for.
The honest weakness
The honest weakness is that it is a benchtop machine with a modest motor. A 3/4 HP press will drill 5/8 in steel but slowly, and the cast table, while large, is not a precision milling table. If you want to go beyond drilling, a mill/drill is the right tool. A floor model also offers more height.
Grizzly direct vs Amazon
The Grizzly page lists the current specifications and manual. At 127 lb, shipping is easier than a heavy machine.
The closest Amazon-sold alternative is a 15 in benchtop drill press from another brand. Compare swing, speeds, motor and spindle travel. Pick the Grizzly for the laser and LED features; pick the Amazon alternative if you prefer the brand or a 16 speed range.
JET 15-Inch Benchtop Drill Press, 16 Speed, 3/4 HP (J-2530)This is the nearest match we could find on Amazon in the same class. It is a different machine from the Grizzly, so compare the spec sheets side by side rather than assuming they are equivalent.
Alternatives worth considering
The G0704 is a 7 x 27 mill/drill with an R-8 spindle for light milling.
JET 15-Inch Benchtop Drill Press, 16 Speed, 3/4 HP (J-2530)A 15 in benchtop drill press with a 3/4 HP motor and a listed 16 speed range.
Keep reading
- Best benchtop drill presses
- Benchtop vs floor drill press
- Drill press speed calculator
- Drill speed chart
- Best drill bit sets
- Best drill presses
Common questions
How much can the T34608 drill?
Grizzly lists a 5/8 in capacity in mild steel.
Does the T34608 have a laser?
Yes. It has an LED and a laser crosshair.
What are the speeds?
Twelve speeds from 250 to 3100 RPM.
Does the T34608 tilt?
Yes. The table tilts 45 degrees left and right and swivels 360 degrees.
This page draws on published manufacturer specifications and design reasoning. We have not tested this machine ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Specifications were copied from grizzly.com and can change, so confirm them on the product page before you order. WorkshopCalc is an Amazon Associate and a Grizzly Industrial affiliate. We earn from qualifying purchases.