Drill Press Projects to Sell: Turn Scrap Wood Into Holiday Gifts
Looking for drill press projects to sell this holiday season? A benchtop drill press is one of the fastest ways to turn scrap hardwood into gifts people actually pay for: candle holders, pen blanks, peg racks, ornaments and cutting boards. Below you will find five beginner-friendly projects, a simple cost and profit calculator, and the small set of machines that turns a two-car garage into a holiday gift workshop.
Why handmade wood gifts sell in November and December
Holiday craft fairs, church bazaars, farmers market winter stalls and online marketplaces all peak between mid-November and mid-December. Shoppers look for gifts that feel personal and are not available at a big-box store. Wood is warm, giftable and easy to personalize, and most of these projects use offcuts you already have from bigger builds.
The key is repeatability. A drill press drills perfectly straight holes at the same depth every time, so you can make 20 identical candle holders in an evening instead of three crooked ones.
5 drill press projects that sell well as gifts
1. Tealight and taper candle holders
Drill 1.5 inch holes with a Forstner bit into a walnut, oak or cherry block, sand and oil. A row of three on a reclaimed board makes a centerpiece.
2. Wall peg racks for coats and leashes
Drill evenly spaced holes for dowels in a 24 inch board. Set the depth stop once and every peg sits at the same angle.
3. Turned pens and bottle stoppers
Drill the center hole of a pen blank on the drill press, then shape it on a lathe. Pen kits are inexpensive and finished pens sell quickly in gift boxes.
4. Wooden ornaments and gift tags
Cut thin slices, drill a small hanging hole, wood-burn initials. Great as add-on sales at the register.
5. Cutting and charcuterie boards with handles
Drill a hanging hole and finger grips. Boards are the best seller at most winter craft fairs.
Cost and profit calculator: how many sales to pay off your tools
Use this quick formula: (selling price - material cost) x number sold = profit toward your tools. Here is an example scenario using common craft fair prices (your local prices may differ):
| Project | Typical material cost | Typical selling price | Profit per item |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-hole candle holder | $4 | $25 | $21 |
| Wall peg rack | $6 | $35 | $29 |
| Turned pen in gift box | $8 | $30 | $22 |
| Charcuterie board | $10 | $45 | $35 |
In this example, selling about 21 charcuterie boards (21 x $35 = $735) or a mix of about 30 smaller items covers the cost of a quality drill press and the lathe that pairs with it. Everything after that is extra holiday money.
The holiday gift workshop kit
- The core machine: the 12-Inch Benchtop Drill Press, 6.2 Amp, 1 HP Bench Drill Press, 530 to 3140 RPM ($365.02) was one of our most recent orders. Variable speed lets you slow down for large Forstner bits in hardwood and speed up for small holes, and the 12 inch swing lets you drill to the center of a 12 inch wide board.
- For pens, bowls and candle holders: the Wood Lathe 3/4 HP 12" x 18" Benchtop Wood Lathe Machine 5 Speeds ($348.27) sits right next to the drill press on the same bench.
- Grip bowls safely: add the 4 Inch Wood Lathe Chuck, 4-Jaw, Bevel-Gear Self-Centering Wood Turning ($176.40) to hold bowl blanks without a faceplate.
- Cut curves and resaw blanks: the Band Saw with Stand, 10-Inch, Two-Speed Benchtop Bandsaw ($365.02) roughs out ornaments, board shapes and round bowl blanks.
- Hold small parts steady: a 6'' ACCU Lock Vise for Precision, Milling Vice with 6 Inch Jaw ($152.96) bolts to the drill press table so small blocks never spin.
Workshop tips for a faster gift run
- Batch your steps: cut all blanks, drill all holes, then sand everything at once.
- Use the depth stop and a fence or stop block so every piece is identical.
- Always clamp or vise small parts. Never hold a small block by hand while drilling.
- Wear safety glasses and keep long sleeves and hair away from the spindle.
- Food-safe mineral oil and beeswax finish works well for boards and holders.
Want more garage side hustle ideas? See our guide to starting a T-shirt business from home.
Who this is for
Weekend woodworkers who want to sell at holiday craft fairs, retirees and veterans looking for a rewarding shop hobby, parents making personal gifts for family, and anyone who wants to turn a pile of scrap wood into extra income.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you make with a drill press to sell?
Candle holders, peg racks, pen blanks, ornaments, cutting boards, coasters and dowel-jointed boxes are all popular and use small pieces of wood.
Is a 12 inch drill press big enough for woodworking?
Yes. A 12 inch benchtop drill press drills to the center of a 12 inch wide piece of stock and handles most furniture and gift projects in a home shop.
Do I need a lathe and a drill press?
Not to start. A drill press alone covers candle holders, peg racks and boards. A lathe adds pens, bowls and turned ornaments.
What speed should I use for Forstner bits?
Larger bits need slower speeds. Start at the low end of the range for 1.5 inch and bigger bits in hardwood and let the bit do the work.
Start your holiday gift run
With a few evenings in the garage you can fill a craft fair table or a whole family's gift list. Every machine above ships within the U.S. Shop the 12-Inch Benchtop Drill Press, 6.2 Amp, 1 HP Bench Drill Press, 530 to 3140 RPM and get started.