Accuracy, stability and versatility are the benchmark features of the Jet 15 in. and 20 in. Drill Presses. This high quality line of Jet Drill Presses offer a greater range in spindle speeds than other machines of this class. Jet backs their machines with the industry-leading Two Year Warranty.
- Cast iron head
- Large quill allows greater accuracy
- Head casting features a permanently lubricated ball bearing spindle assembly, using four heavy duty ball bearings in an enclosed quill for longer life
- Table tilts 45°
- Large ground steel column diameter for maximum head and table support
- An oversized/bulky item that requires delivery by truck; please be aware of the dimensions and weight of this machine
- Jet offers full tech support in order to assist with any warranty issues; please call 1800-274-6846 for assistance
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including arsenic, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
Nina Sanford (verified owner) –
I would have given it a 5 but for some vibration in the belt drive and a problem with the depth gauge. Since the vibration is not in the chuck, it does not impact the precision of the holes. I had to remove some rough edges from the depth guage nuts before they would adjust smoothly. I am generally very happy with it.
Curt Moen (verified owner) –
Great drill press. Love the 7.5 inch clearance. However, it’s very heavy; need help to put on bench and to assemble. I chose the belt drive model because in the long run electronics fail. I have an old Sears model that’s 45 years old and still going. Bought the benchtop for a remote shop in the woods.
Bessie Labadie (verified owner) –
Very nice drill. Super easy pick up at store. Pretty easy to assemble (20-30 min). Good price for good drill.
Fatima Greenfelder (verified owner) –
JET J-2530 15-Inch 3/4-Horsepower Bench Drill PressTwo common reviewer complaints about higher-end drill presses are failures of a unit’s variable-speed or laser light pointer. This press has neither feature – it’s just a good basic machine. Another common complaint is shipping damage, so I ordered a J-2530 from Home Depot’s web site and picked it at a local store, since it’s MUCH easier to return a large heavy item in person to HD (even though I kept the machine) and shipping is free to the store. Besides, Home Depot provides a 90-day return window, unusually long. The Home Depot site for this tool has a link to the Instructions & Parts Manual as PDFs. It comes packaged in a double thickness cardboard box. The box could be a bit larger to accommodate thicker filler material, but nevertheless, mine was undamaged – with all parts. If your press arrives damaged, consider whether to return it for a replacement, or obtain parts – you could also call Home Depot for advice.This is my fifth drill press and my third bench model. For large jobs, I have an expensive 20″ floor model. The J-2530 replaced a well-used 13-year old Delta DP350 with a cracked aluminum pulley. Delta now considers that pulley (and many other parts) “obsolete”, so it’s no longer available.For a bench model, the J-2530 is big. On a 40″ tall bench chuck bottom is 63″ off the floor. So mounted, a step stool might be needed for machine operation unless you’re tall. (I’m 6/4.)Assembling the machine is straight-forward, with decent instructions (English & Spanish manuals included) if needed.This is a really nice machine:- big, beefy, heavy duty. The switch assembly and the table crank handle are plastic. Everything else is cast iron or steel- the 3/4 HP double ball-bearing motor is plenty powerful- the huge 5/8″ chuck holds bits firmly; not like those key-less chucks on some PowerMatic machines for example- 15″ swing (7.5″ from bit center to column) – a typical size for a decent floor press – is the largest available for any bench model that I could find- Quill travel is 3-1/8″. The quill travel lock, to fix drilling depth, consists of two round threaded nuts to stop downward movement. It’s a slow process to adjust these. It might be faster to adjust table height instead.- the table can be raised easily with a [heavy] 5″ cross vise mounted, plus it can be rotated 360 degrees as needed for positioning – and locked in place- speed changes are quick and easy. Release the belt tension, move the belts as per the diagram on inside cover, and re-tension.- the built-in bulb holder in the cast iron drill head is well placed. A 50 watt incandescent spot bulb (or equivalent LED) aims light on the work table and out of your eyes. A Delta 25-870 Magnetic Work Light magnetically stuck on the left side of my press provides additional focused light (see Customer Image), if desired.- no vibration or belt chatter. Machine simply hums when running, regardless of speed.- mine has no perceptible run-out.- the on and off buttons on my machine require a firm quick jab with a couple of fingers to work. Simply pushing one does nothing. It was annoying at first, but I’ve gotten used to it.- Jet provides a 5-year warranty on their drill presses; better than any other company- it’s too bad such things aren’t made in America, but all cast iron tools seem to be made elsewhere, frequently China or Taiwan. At least the Chinese are getting better at making quality stuff – this machine is well done.Similar machines:- One web seller offers a Powermatic 15″ bench drill press visually similar to the J-2530, for nearly two thousand dollars. Then, there is the Dake TB16 or Optimum B24H – they are probably better machines, but they cost twice as much. The “best” bench drill press available is probably the Knuth KB 20 S – that beauty cost four times as much.Summary:If you want a high quality large capacity bench model drill press for under a grand, this model should be on your short list. …Non-review comment:If at all possible, get someone to help you to mount the (very heavy) cast-iron head assembly atop the column. It’s a two-person job.If no help is available, it IS possible to do it alone following these steps:- loosen the tension and remove the two drive belts- lift off and remove the middle drive pulley- loosen the Allen screw on the motor pulley and slide it up and off- immediately remove the “key” from the motor shaft, and for God’s sake, don’t let it fall into the motor- remove the on/off switch plate- disconnect the black, white, and green wires emanating from the motor- bend up the three wire hold-down tabs next to the pulley system up and loosen the large Phillips screw on the wire clamp on the left side of head- gently extract the motor wire out from the switch assemble and pull it through the belt cover lid.- don’t lose the rubber grommet in the lid where that wire passes through- unscrew the four nuts holding the motor in place and place the motor aside.Parts removed above will reduce drill head weight by 31 pounds, which should be sufficient to lift the head onto the column by yourself. Reverse these steps to reinstall the motor and other parts. Verify that the motor is mounted perfectly vertical and tighten the motor pulley level with the middle pulley.
Renee Breitenberg (verified owner) –
Drill arrived no damage and assembly was clearly explained. Strong and runs true. Thanks Jet
Muriel Yundt (verified owner) –
Dollar for Dollar this is the best Table Top machine for the money! I do not have room in my small shop for a floor model that would take up valuable floor space, and wanted at least 3/4 HP for larger drill bits to drill thicker steel, this machine slows down to 200 RPM and works perfectly with larger bits. Love the simplicity and the build quality. I built a heavy duty stand with caster wheels so I can roll the machine closer to my work when needed, could not be happier!
Marquis Roob (verified owner) –
Far exceeded expectation. A great tool.
Meagan Bailey (verified owner) –
Very nice unit. It appears to be a high quality product.
Freida Schaefer (verified owner) –
Everything I expected. Jet makes a decent piece of equipment for the money. Only thing I would like to see changed is the depth stop. Other machines have a rotating hub on the handle side with a thumb screw to set the stop that is just as effective and much faster to set. Overall, great value and wo
Rafaela Bernier (verified owner) –
The drill was easy to assemble. It was a little heavy but I managed to assemble it on my work bench by myself and fasten it to the bench. The speed change is fairly easy since the belts are easy to tighten.
Mozelle Jacobi (verified owner) –
Excellent drill press. No electronics, just good heavy duty traditional components and construction.it a bit bigger and heavier than the pictures would indicate,and that’s a good thing
Deja Rau (verified owner) –
It will take two, for the assembly, follow the instructions.
Idella Kulas (verified owner) –
Great tool for the money, no wobble, checked it with a dial indicator!
Allison Gaylord (verified owner) –
I was surprised at the weight of the unit at 157 pounds. It was fairly easy to assemble even by myself. I like it!
John Bradtke (verified owner) –
Our company in the past has gone through these drill presses like crazy but this one with stands all of our abuse.
Macey Grimes (verified owner) –
Solid build, smooth running, well packaged
Jordan Volkman (verified owner) –
Drill press I received was not exactly as pictured. It has the big rubber handles and is all grey. I have used about 5 times now. Spindle has a noticeable amount of wobble or run-out. Not sure what I can do to fix that. All in all, plenty of power to get the job done
Dejah Glover (verified owner) –
I have been looking for a quality, heavy duty drill press for quite a while. After reading reviews until I needed new glasses, I decided to drop the hammer on this J-2530 by Jet. I am absolutely astonished at the quality of craftmanship, power, fit and finish of this drill press. I have not fed it anything it could not handle; from a 2-1/2 inch hole in 1-inch seasoned red oak to the usual 3/4-inch plywood.I had it delivered to Home Depot to save shipping charges (it IS HEAVY!!!) It arrived at my local store quickly and in excellent shape. I can highly recommend this unit to anyone looking for a professional, heavy duty drill press. You will not be disappointed.
Marcelina Davis (verified owner) –
Very expensive shipping, but that is my only negative of the whole experience. Very well packaged and good assembly instructions. Drill fired right up and I got to work.
Jamel Willms (verified owner) –
One heck of a press. Like most things you have to pay to get quailty.