Table top drill press

[paulstenlund]

My new shop is done (old one burned) and I need help deciding which table top drill press to purchase - any suggestions would be appreciated. Would use it for small drilling taskes - pen blanks, model wheel holes. Little or no runout would be nice

Thanks
Paul

[Uncle Hook]

I suggest looking at models with a built in variable speed control to eliminate belt changing. I am not current on the latest brands but Delta and Ryobi come to mind.

[herb fellows]

No specific recommendations as mine is about 15 years old and not made anymore.
Assuming you are going to make a new work surface for it, you might want to get an idea of how you would do it on each one.
Some are dead simple to add a table to, others are a pita.

I would definitely look up reviews as much as possible online. There are a ton of cheapies out there ($99 to $ 129 or so), so I think you need to set a price range to compare apples to apples.

[mbosma]

So far, the Delta DP300 I just set up won't turn on, the clamp for the tool tray is 3 inches too long and so poorly machined that it won't tighten, and read that the pulley needs a set screw installed so it doesn't slip.

I've read nothing but good things about the Ryobi, but have no experience with them.

[dbhost]

Just curious. Why limit yourself to a bench top drill press? There are TONS of good floor models out there on the used market for cheap...

[cwsmith]

I've occasionaly looked at the Ryobi and it has some very nice features and a pretty decent build quality. The 12-inch unit has variable-speed with a digital read-out. I believe it's priced around $180 or so.

I have a Ridgid 15501, floor standing DP, which I got a great price on when they changed the color scheme back in 2003 ($179). But at the time I was ready to buy the Ryobi 12-inch model of the time. That was a decent little drill press and I know they've made a few upgrades since then, like the variable-speed with digital readout. The 10" model appears to come with a vise, but I'm not sure about the 12-inch. The quill travel on the 12-inch model is 3", is that sufficient for your needs?

Here's a link tot he product page: http://ryobitools.com/catalog/power_...enchtop/DP121L

I was told a couple of weeks ago, by someone at TTI Group, North America that the Ryobi warranty was going to change to three-years, effective December 1, 2010. It was supposed to be announced and go into effect in January, 2011 but Home Depot jumped the gun with their new Tool Catalog, printing "3-Year Warranty" on most of the Ryobi tool line. Also take note that Ryobi has a 30-day "Satisfaction Warranty" so if you buy this DP and find you don't like it for some reason, you can return it for a full refund. Also, Home Depot's own return policy is 90-days, providing you keep all the packaging in which to make the return.

I hope this is helpful,

CWS