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Powermatic PM2800B 18-Inch Floor Drill Press — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home Drill PressesPowermatic PM2800B 18-Inch Floor Drill Press

Powermatic PM2800B 18-Inch Floor Drill Press — image 1

Powermatic

Powermatic PM2800B 18-Inch Floor Drill Press

Expert Review Analysis

The Powermatic PM2800B is an 18-inch floor-standing drill press featuring a 1 HP motor with dual voltage capability and infinitely variable speed control from 250 to 3,000 RPM without belt changes. It includes precision alignment tools such as a laser guide system, digital RPM readout, and twin LED lights to enhance accuracy and visibility during woodworking and light fabrication tasks.

✓ Best for: Professional woodworkers and cabinet makers performing repetitive drilling tasks requiring accuracy. Small fabrication shops handling wood, plastic, and light composite materials. Users requiring precise hole placement who benefit from the laser guide and digital speed feedback. Shops with single-phase power availability (115/230V). Operations needing deep drilling capability with 6-inch quill travel✗ Not ideal for: Users requiring portability due to the heavy 246-266 lb cast iron construction. Applications requiring drilling into materials harder than light composites or wood. Shops lacking single-phase power infrastructure

Pros

✓Mechanical variable-speed control eliminates the need for belt changes across the 250-3,000 RPM range
✓Digital RPM readout provides real-time speed feedback for consistent drilling across different materials

Best Seller Rank History

Now#5Best#2Worst#24 +2

Lower = better sales rank

Rating Trend

Rating4.2/ 5Reviews83+3 reviews +0.30

Specifications

Design

Chuck Size5/8 inch mm

Height71.0 inches mm

Width18.0 inches mm

Chuck TypeKeyed

Depth20.25 inches mm

Features

Digital ReadoutYes (RPM)

Laser GuideYes (Twin Lasers)

Fence Size19-13/16 x 2-11/16 inches mm

Handle TypeReversible

Safety FeatureSafety Key

General

BrandPowermatic

ModelPM2800B

Warranty5 Years

Lighting

Light TypeTwin LED

Performance

Speed Range250-3,000 RPM RPM

Speed Control TypeMechanical Variable (No Belt Changes)

Swing Capacity18 inches mm

Quill Travel6 inches mm

Power

Motor Power1 HP HP

Voltage115/230V V

Phase1-Phase Phase

Amperage15/7.5 Amps A

Speed Control

Variable Speed MechanismMechanical variable, no belt changes required

Safety

Safety FeatureSafety key prevents accidental starting

Table

Table Insert TypeReplaceable square table insert with leveling screws

Dimensions & Weight

Height71.0 inches

Width18.0 inches

Depth20.25 inches

Weight246.0 pounds

Research Sources

woodturnerscatalog.com

normanmachinetool.com

maker-works.com

thetoolsman.com

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User Reviews

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4.2

(83 reviews)

$2,204.10$2,449.0010% off

PM2800BPowermatic Gold 5 Year

✓Laser guide system with twin lasers pinpoints bit entry for accurate hole placement

✓Twin LED lights eliminate cast shadows on the workpiece for improved visibility

✓Adjustable fence system ensures 90-degree alignment to the table for rapid stock positioning

✓Adjustable material stop enables accurate, repeatable drilling for production-style work

✓Reversible handles can be mounted on either side for comfortable quill operation

✓Cast iron construction with oversize base provides stability during heavy drilling operations

✓6-inch quill travel achieved in one handle revolution allows for deep drilling without repositioning

Cons

✗Significant weight of 246-266 lbs makes the unit difficult to move or reposition
✗Keyed chuck requires a separate key for bit changes rather than keyless quick-release
✗No user reviews or consumer feedback data available to verify long-term reliability
✗Limited comparative data against competing brands outside the Powermatic lineup

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓Combines steadfast construction with precise control for professional woodworking environments
✓Designed with the woodworker in mind offering convenient features other woodworking drill presses lack
✓Ergonomic design focuses on accuracy and ease of use through twin LED and laser systems

Expert Opinion

Product descriptions from manufacturer sources and specialty retailers position the PM2800B as a high-precision tool designed specifically for woodworkers. The emphasis is placed on its steadfast construction, precise control, and ergonomic features like the laser guide and mechanical variable speed, which are highlighted as advantages over standard woodworking drill presses.

What Users Say

The provided search results do not include access to consumer reviews, user ratings, or feedback sections from retail sites. Therefore, no common praise or recurring complaints from everyday users can be reported.

Common Complaints

No user complaints are available in the source data.

How It Compares

vs. Powermatic PM2815FS

Advantages

✓Higher 1 HP motor compared to 0.75 HP
✓Dual voltage capability (115/230V) vs 120V only
✓Greater swing capacity (18" vs 15")

Disadvantages

✗Heavier weight (246-266 lbs vs 201.52 lbs)
✗Less portable than the smaller model

Choose the PM2800B for heavier drilling and dual voltage needs, or the PM2815FS for portability and smaller workspaces.

vs. Powermatic PM2820EVS

Advantages

✓More compact and lighter than the 20-inch model

Disadvantages

✗Smaller swing capacity (18" vs 20")
✗Less data available for direct performance comparison

Choose the PM2800B for standard woodworking tasks, or the PM2820EVS for larger workpieces requiring a 20-inch swing.

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