The swing of a drill press is a key specification that indicates the maximum size of workpiece the machine can accommodate. It is calculated as twice the distance from the center of the drill chuck to the nearest edge of the column. For example, if this distance is 6 inches, the drill press has a 12-inch swing.

This measurement tells you the largest diameter circle in which the drill can reach the center. Essentially, the maximum distance from the edge of a workpiece to the center of the hole that can be drilled. So, a 12-inch swing means you can drill a hole up to 6 inches from the edge of your material.

Swing is especially important when working with larger materials or when drilling into the center of wide panels, as it helps you determine whether the drill press can physically reach the desired drilling location.