WEN 4208 Drill Press Review 2023 – Pros, Cons, & Verdict
-
- Last updated:
We give the WEN 4208 Drill Press a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Review Summary
If you aren’t familiar with WEN, don’t feel bad. This company flies a bit below the radar but has an excellent pedigree nonetheless. WEN was founded in 1951 with the goal of building high-quality, affordable power tools. Its R&D efforts played a key role in developing many of the tools in use today. In fact, it pioneered the random orbital polishing action now used by most car polishers.
Like many manufacturers, WEN builds its products overseas to stay competitive. Their fit and finish are good, and their quality is high for the price point. This particular drill press will appeal to those with limited shop space, or people that want to take a drill press to the job site. It will also appeal to first-time users because it is basic and simple. If all you want to do is drill vertical holes in a variety of stock, this tool will be more than adequate. People needing more capacity or precision will want to look further.
WEN 4208 Drill Press – a Quick Look
- Rugged cast iron construction
- Compact size
- Good price
- Limited capacity
- Warranty limitations
Brand name: WEN Model: 4208 Motor details: 120VAC, 2.3A, induction, ball bearings Horsepower: 1/3 Speeds (number, RPM): 5 (620, 1100, 1720, 2340, 3100) Laser: No Chuck capacity: 1/2” – accepts bits with up to a 1/2“ shank Drilling capacity: 2” – the maximum depth of a drilled hole Swing: 8” – allows drilling holes on the centerline of a 16” wide piece of stock Table size: 6-1/2” x 6-1/2” Table tilt: Yes, 45o L/R Height: 23” Shipping dimensions: 18” x 13.5” x 2” Shipping weight: 35 pounds The cast iron head, work table, and base provide stability, long life, and reduced vibration. The 4208 is a compact and relatively light drill press, which means it will take up less space in the shop and is easier to transport or move than other alternatives. The WEN warranty is rather restrictive. It provides two years for consumer use and 90 days for professionals. You must retain proof of purchase that shows both the date and place of purchase. Purchases from any vendor other than an authorized reseller will void the warranty. Can you rotate the head so it hangs over the edge of the bench, allowing one to drill holes in the end of long stock? Yes, you can, but only after you secure the base properly. If you bolt the drill press at the end of your bench, you can rotate the head 90o and accomplish your task. How do you change speeds with the 4208? The 4208 uses a belt and pulley system to change speeds. Think of it as similar to how a bicycle works. You open the cover of the head and move the belt to the pulley positions that give the desired speed. There are diagrams to help, and it is very easy. Is there any assembly required? Yes, there is some minor assembly required, but it is simple and may take 5 – 10 minutes. The majority of user reactions are positive, and even affectionate in many cases. It’s a tool person thing, assigning human traits to our tools. What did people especially like about the WEN 4208 drill press? Judging from our research, it has to be value for the dollar. The 4208 is a very affordable drill press that delivers terrific quality. It does what it is supposed to do with ease. It is not a powerhouse, but it can handle tasks like drilling Lexan with Forstner bits that challenge other “big name” drill presses with similar capacities and capabilities to the 4208. Going further with the quality, the 4208 offers nice touches like flat spots on the handles to tighten them securely. A common complaint with drill presses is that the handles are always loose. This feature takes care of that issue altogether. The fit and finish are also excellent, making this a very rugged, well-built little drill press. Users also report being quite happy with the support they received from the sellers when they ran into issues. For the most part, the issues involved shipping damage. Even though the 4208’s packaging is robust, reports of damage came up. When dealing with the sellers, replacements were sent promptly, much faster than expected. Where did the 4208 disappoint users? The primary gripe from users is its lack of power. Users bring this up when the unit does not perform as expected or hoped. However, in fairness to the 4208, it is an entry-level tool, and users need to compare requirements to capabilities before buying. Other users report that the drill press lacks precision. Specifically, several users report that the 4208 exhibits a bit of wobble. This is called run out and results when the drill bit is not in perfect alignment with the shaft. The result is a hole with a larger diameter than that of the bit. With the 4208, it is not extreme, but it is significant enough that this drill press is not the tool for tasks where high precision is required. Finally, the capacity to drill deeper holes in larger stock crops up in several reviews. Again, this goes to the users taking the time to read the specifications and buying the right tool for their needs. This drill press is an excellent choice for first-time users and those with simple requirements. At 35 pounds, it is easy to take to job sites. Its rugged construction will hold up well to normal shop use. The main caveat is that potential purchasers need to match the capabilities of the tool to their requirements to avoid disappointment. If they need larger capacity and higher precision, they will have to invest in a more capable unit.Specifications
Cast iron construction
Compact and lightweight
Warranty cautions
FAQ
What the Users Say
Conclusion
