Short version: for jewelry, pick the press by the bit you will use most. If your bits have a 1/8 in (3.175 mm) shank, such as carbide PCB bits or engraving bits, a collet press holds them best. If you also want ordinary twist drills or diamond bits with a 2.35 mm shank, choose a press with a 0.3–4 mm chuck.
Disclosure: this guide is written by ARVONELLE (Mikrabench), and all three presses below are ours. The specs are taken from our own product pages. We have not tested other brands, so we don't compare against them.
Quick picks
- Most jewelers, one machine for everything: Mini Drill Press, 0.3–4 mm chuck (from $129). Takes ordinary twist drills and 2.35 mm diamond bits. Speed 400–4500 rpm.
- Carbide micro bits and the cleanest start on 0.3 mm holes: Collet Drill Press, 3.175 mm ($179). The collet grips the shank all the way round. The base has slots so you can bolt a vise down.
- Holes that have to stop at an exact depth: Micrometer Drill Press ($199). The micrometer depth stop reads in 0.01 mm over a 10 mm stroke. Carbide bits from 0.15 to 1.0 mm come in the box.
How they compare
| Mini Drill Press | Collet Drill Press | Micrometer Drill Press | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | from $129 | $179 | $199 |
| Bit holder | Chuck, 0.3–4 mm | Collet, 3.175 mm shank | Collet, 3.175 mm shank |
| Takes 2.35 mm diamond bits | Yes | No | No |
| Depth control | Lever; optional micrometer depth stop kit ($59.99) | Lever | Micrometer, reads 0.01 mm, 10 mm stroke |
| Vise mounting | With the 120 × 150 mm base plate | Slots in the base | No slots; work is held by hand or a free-standing vise |
| Bits in the box | Depends on kit | None | Carbide, 0.15–1.0 mm |
Prices are as listed in November 2026 and can change.
Step 1: Start from the bit, not the machine
- Carbide PCB or engraving bits (colored plastic collar on the shank): these are 3.175 mm shank. A collet press grips them best, so a 0.3 mm bit is less likely to walk before it bites.
- Ordinary twist drills (HSS or cobalt): these need a chuck. Choose the 0.3–4 mm chuck press.
- Diamond bits for glass, stone, shell and sea glass: ours have a 2.35 mm shank, so they fit the chuck press, not the collet presses.
Step 2: Check your material
- On the chuck press, you can drill wood, plastic and circuit board up to 4 mm, and brass and aluminum up to 1 mm.
- The collet presses are made for wood, plastic, resin, PCB, brass, copper and aluminum.
- None of these presses is for hardened steel, and none of them is a mill. Side loads need a different machine.
Step 3: Do you need depth control?
Most jewelry holes go straight through: a jump-ring hole, a bead, a pendant bail. A lever press is fine for that. If you drill blind holes for stone settings, pins or watch parts, a stop that ends every hole at the same depth saves parts. You have two options: the Micrometer Drill Press, or the Micrometer Depth Stop Kit, which bolts onto the chuck press.
Step 4: Hold the work, not your fingers
A small part held by hand spins as soon as the bit catches. Bolt a vise under the bit. The collet press has slots for this, and the chuck press needs the 120 × 150 mm base plate. For small or odd-shaped pieces, a drill press vise or a brass watch vise keeps the part square.
When to choose a bigger press instead
If most of your holes are over 4 mm, or you drill steel, a mini press is the wrong tool. Get a full-size benchtop drill press, and keep the mini one for the fine work.
FAQ
What is the smallest bit these presses take?
The chuck press takes bits from 0.3 mm. The Micrometer Drill Press ships with carbide bits from 0.15 mm.
Can I drill sea glass or shell?
Yes, with diamond bits on the chuck press. Use light pressure.
Will it work in Australia or New Zealand?
Yes. All three take 100–240 V input, so no transformer is needed. With the collet and micrometer presses we include a free Australian and New Zealand pin adapter.
Which one would you buy first?
The chuck press. It takes the most kinds of bits, and you can add the depth stop and base plate later.
About this guide
Written by ARVONELLE (Mikrabench), which sells the presses listed. Specs come from our product pages in November 2026. Prices can change.
