Last reviewed: May 2026 · MLC editorial team · UK trade workshop perspective
Photo by Bram van Egmond on Pexels
Hardware-store pillar drills are designed for timber. The spindle bearings have nylon thrust washers and the speeds top out at 3000rpm - fine for wood but they wreck themselves drilling stainless. For serious metalworking in UK workshops, you need a dedicated machine that can handle the torque and heat of steel and alloy. Entry-level models start around £250, while high-end units with variable speed controls and robust construction push past £1000. This article will cover the best options for engineers and workshop owners who demand durability and precision in their tools, from benchtop drills to floor-standing models that can take heavy-duty workloads day in and day out.
How we picked these
- Spindle taper: MT2 or MT3 for metalwork (proper drift removal). Keyless chucks alone aren't enough for trade use.
- Speed range: 100-3000 rpm spread. Wood-only drills start at 700 rpm - way too fast for large drills in steel.
- Capacity: 16mm in steel is the trade minimum. 20-25mm is proper trade.
- Power: 550W minimum for 16mm drilling. 1kW for 25mm.
- Gear drive vs belt: gear-drive handles higher torque without slipping (essential above 16mm in steel).
Reviewed picks
Optimum DH 26GT Bench Drill (MT3)
Price: £550-£750 | Best for: trade workshop bench drill up to 25mm
The Optimum DH 26GT Bench Drill (MT3) is a solid choice for UK trade workshops needing a reliable bench drill up to 25mm capacity. Priced between £550 and £750, it offers a quality belt drive system but requires changing belts for speed adjustments. Its MT3 spindle and compact size make it ideal for tight spaces.
| Capacity | 25mm steel |
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| Spindle | MT3 |
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| Speed | 6-speed 220-2470 rpm |
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| Power | 650W |
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| Quill travel | 80mm |
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Pros
- 25mm capacity at bench size
- MT3 spindle
- Quality belt drive
Cons
- Belt change for speeds
- Bench-mount limits column height
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Femi DFM1 (Floor 16mm)
Price: £700-£950 | Best for: smaller trade workshop with floor space
The Femi DFM1 is a solid choice for UK trade workshops needing a reliable pillar drill with a 16mm capacity and an Italian build. Priced between £700 and £950, it offers a handy 12-speed belt change system but comes with a larger footprint than bench models. Ideal for smaller spaces where floor mounting is preferred.
| Capacity | 16mm steel |
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| Spindle | MT2 |
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| Speed | 12-speed 200-2440 |
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| Power | 550W |
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| Height | 1730mm |
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Pros
- 12-speed belt change
- Italian build
- Decent quill travel
Cons
- 16mm capacity is mid-trade
- Bigger footprint than bench
Sealey GDM240F (Geared 32mm)
Price: £1,400-£1,900 | Best for: heavy trade workshop, 25mm+ holes
The Sealey GDM240F is a robust pillar drill for heavy-duty workshops requiring 25mm-plus hole drilling. With a 32mm capacity and a geared head that prevents belt slipping, it offers reliable performance at speeds from 60 to 1,180 rpm. At £1,400 to £1,900, it's pricey but comes with a coolant pump. However, its size and weight make it cumbersome, and the geared head is noticeably louder than belt-driven models.
| Capacity | 32mm steel |
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| Spindle | MT3 |
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| Speed | 6-speed 60-1180 rpm |
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| Power | 1.5kW |
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| Drive | Geared head |
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Pros
- Geared head (no belt slipping)
- 32mm capacity
- Coolant pump included
Cons
- Big and heavy
- Geared head is louder than belt
Axminster AT13F (Floor 13mm)
Price: £350-£480 | Best for: small workshop / mixed wood+metal work
The Axminster AT13F pillar drill is a solid choice for small workshops needing both wood and metal capabilities. With 12-speed settings from 200 to 3,100 RPM and a robust UK warranty, it offers versatility within its £350-£480 price range. However, at 13mm steel capacity and just 450W power, it falls short for heavy-duty metalwork.
| Capacity | 13mm steel |
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| Spindle | MT2 |
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| Speed | 12-speed 200-3010 |
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| Power | 450W |
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| Height | 1700mm |
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Pros
- 12 speeds
- Axminster UK warranty
- Good for woodwork too
Cons
- 13mm is below trade metal minimum
- 450W is light
Check Axminster AT13F (Floor 13mm) on Amazon UK →
Bosch PBD 40 Bench (13mm digital)
Price: £280-£380 | Best for: workshop wanting electronic speed control at bench size
The Bosch PBD 40 Bench (13mm digital) is a solid choice for UK workshops seeking electronic speed control in a bench-top model. With a capacity of 13mm steel and power ranging from £280 to £380, it offers an easy-to-use digital depth readout and a robust 710W motor. However, its plastic body construction may not appeal to those needing heavy-duty durability, and the 13mm drilling capacity is somewhat limited for serious metalworking tasks.
| Capacity | 13mm steel |
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| Speed | 200-2500 electronic |
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| Power | 710W |
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| Display | Digital depth |
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Pros
- Electronic speed (no belt change)
- Digital depth readout
- 710W
Cons
- 13mm capacity is light-trade
- Plastic body construction
Check Bosch PBD 40 Bench (13mm digital) on Amazon UK →
Optimum OPTIdrill DH 40CT (Geared 40mm)
Price: £2,800-£3,800 | Best for: production fabrication, big-hole drilling
The OPTIdrill DH 40CT is a robust pillar drill for UK workshops, priced between £2,800 and £3,800. It excels in production fabrication with its 40mm capacity and MT4 spindle, making it ideal for big-hole drilling. However, at over £2,800, it's pricey, and its 3-phase requirement limits accessibility. Weighing in at a hefty 360kg, it demands careful placement.
| Capacity | 40mm steel |
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| Spindle | MT4 |
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| Speed | 12-speed 40-1380 |
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| Power | 3kW |
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| Power feed | Auto |
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Pros
- 40mm capacity
- MT4 spindle
- Auto power feed
Cons
- £2,800+
- 3-phase only
- Heavy at 360kg
Recommendations at a glance
| Best overall (trade bench) | Optimum DH 26GT - 25mm capacity, MT3, bench size |
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| Best premium (heavy trade) | Optimum DH 40CT - 40mm capacity with power feed |
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| Best gear-driven (no slipping) | Sealey GDM240F - 32mm capacity, geared head, coolant |
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| Best floor-standing mid-trade | Femi DFM1 - 12-speed Italian build at 16mm |
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| Best budget bench (mixed use) | Axminster AT13F - 13mm, 12 speeds, UK warranty |
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Related reference on MLC
Frequently asked questions
Why not just use a hand-held drill?
Pillar drills give you square-to-bench holes consistently, defined depth (quill travel), and the rigidity to drill large holes without the bit walking. Above 10mm in steel, hand-held drilling is dangerous (catch + wrist injury).
MT2 or MT3 spindle?
MT3 handles bigger drills (up to ~30mm) and is more rigid. MT2 is fine up to 16mm. Trade machines should be MT3 minimum if you drill above 16mm regularly.
Belt or gear drive?
Gear drive doesn't slip under load - essential above 16mm in steel. Belt drive is cheaper and adequate up to 16mm. Geared heads are louder.
What speed for drilling stainless?
200-400 rpm with cutting fluid (not WD-40 - proper soluble oil or sulphurised cutting oil). Stainless work-hardens if you let the drill rub - keep feed pressure constant and chip-clearing.
Do I need a quill travel of 80mm or is 50mm OK?
80mm covers most through-drilling in 50mm stock plus dimples / spot-faces. 50mm quill needs the workpiece raised on parallels for thick stock. For trade work prefer 80mm+.
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