Replies

1. 
   Damien Stokholm | Sep 13, 2006 05:47pm | #1

   I can't stand cheap tools - I almost always buy the best. However, I needed a drillpress for just the same reason - drilling hinge holes, etc. Very light work. I have the little ryobi and it works great. You can't complain about the price!

   -Damien.

1. 
   diddidit | Sep 13, 2006 06:11pm | #2

   Normally, yeah, ditto on the cheap tools (I bought a $12 "stack dado" set once. Used it for about 8" of 1/4" grooving, then went out and bought a proper Freud set that didn't terrify me.), but the Ryobi stuff I've seen lately, though pretty clearly not up to DeWalt/PC/Makita/Delta/Ridgid robustness, looks a whole lot better than it used to. Their new biscuit joiner in particular is really well designed - the thumb handle is exactly how I use my PC joiner.Thanks for the vote of reasonable confidence...did<!---->Cure Diabetes - Death Valley 2006!<!---->

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2. 
   merlvern | Sep 13, 2006 06:17pm | #3

   i have the little ryobi.....works fine. didn't like the delta, lots of vibration.

   got it for valentines day, sometimes the wives get it right!

3. 
   PenobscotMan | Sep 13, 2006 06:38pm | #4

   I have a benchtop DP (Delta) that is excellent except for one thing:  There isn't enough space between the chuck and the table (fully down) to insert a long bit, e.g. a spade or spiral bit.  So I strongly recommend you check out the clearance.

4. 
   LeeLamb | Sep 13, 2006 06:51pm | #5

   Delta.  Mine was made the same year I was born, 1947, and parts and accessories are readily available. I use a mortising attachment once or twice a year and it fits perfectly. I have seen machines that were less expensive but none with better support and parts availability. When I got mine in '69 I thought I would only have it for a couple years and then get a bigger, better one. I have used it every day I am in my shop.  

1. 
   diddidit | Sep 13, 2006 07:03pm | #6

   I may be wrong, but a 2006 Delta Shopmaster is a far cry from a 1947 Delta Hunk O' Cast Iron. The little Deltas compete directly with the Ryobis; under them is Harbor Freight...did<!---->Cure Diabetes - Death Valley 2006!<!---->

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1. 
   LeeLamb | Sep 13, 2006 08:18pm | #7

   You are probably right. Even the belt shroud on mine is cast iron.

    

1. 
   diddidit | Sep 13, 2006 08:27pm | #8

   Probl'y made from melted-down surplus tank treads. I think the current belt covers are made from pressed pop cans; the paint's an integral part of the structure...did<!---->Cure Diabetes - Death Valley 2006!<!---->

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1. 
   CAGIV | Sep 13, 2006 08:34pm | #9

    the paint's an integral part of the structure...

   I'm going to steal that line and use it somewhere lol ;)

   anyway, I have a Delta bench top, and it's not great but for the 130 I paid for I didn't expect much.   It is around 6 years old though...

   To the orginal poster.... If you really think you're going to use it much at all in the future, and you have the space to keep it, I'd suggest getting a full size press.  The bench tops don't quite enough space IMO, I wish I would have bought larger.

   Ridgid has one that HD sells for around 300 I think.  One of our cabinet guy's has one and it looks pretty solid, though I wouldn't call it "over built" by any strech.

    

2. 
   diddidit | Sep 13, 2006 08:40pm | #10

   'Dat would be me, and you're welcome to make any and all claims of "load bearing paint" that you want. As thin as some stampings are these days, I fear it's becoming closer to a real thing.I saw the Ridgid full-size press. It's $110 more than the bigger (12") Ryobi. I'm just not quite convinced it'd do me any good. I'll have to ruminate on it; perhaps my next paycheck will convince me...did<!---->Cure Diabetes - Death Valley 2006!<!---->

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3. 
   Stilletto | Sep 13, 2006 09:54pm | #11

   I bought a Craftsman model a few years ago and have been happy with it.  I have a mortising attachment on it right now. 

   I wanna say it was around $150,  a fairly good deal.      

   What the problem is? 

4. 
   CAGIV | Sep 13, 2006 09:58pm | #13

   is that the delta morticing attachement?

   I bought one of those and hated it.  Finally went out and bought a mortice machine...

   but then, I got a bad tool buying problem.

    

5. 
   CAGIV | Sep 13, 2006 09:56pm | #12

   look at it this way... at some point you'll have something tall to drill a dead straight hole so you'll be sitting there wishing that back in 06 you'd have spent that extra 110!

   I can't tell you when that day will come, but it will ;)

   Only thing that would stop me from buying a full size press would be if I didn't have the space to keep it.

   and don't use words like "ruminate"  way to high class for me simple mind

6. 
   Sphere | Sep 14, 2006 02:12am | #14

   I was gonna suggest the Radial Arm drill press..now THEY are sweet..and not floor mounted if ya don't want.

   But hell, my 16" Delta has a foot print about 12"x14"..whats the issue with "room" for one?

   I procrastinate, while I ruminate.

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   " If ya plan to face tomorrow, do it soon"

5. 
   ToolFreakBlue | Sep 14, 2006 04:50am | #15

   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006K00I/102-3000825-6282503?ie=UTF8

   Delta DP350 Shopmaster 1/3 Horsepower 12-Inch Bench Drill Press   Currently $240 at amazon with free shipping.

   It has a cast iron top and is one heavy mother.

   It has variable speed with a dial no belts to change which I find handy.

   I regret not buying a full size machine.    I could find a place to tuck the full size away.    My bench is not big enough to permanantly mount  this guy so I am moving it more often than not, did I mention it was heavy.   Its one of those things I can get under it on the bench and move it to the work table  without bending over.    My back could not take much up and down with this guy.   I plan on building a base for it with mobile base wheels and essentially creating a unit that will have a bigger footprint than a full size machine.

   The table that comes with it has slots but no holes so mounting clamps and jigs is a hassle.  It may be better suited for metal work.  

   Now if I had to haul it to a job site, I would much rather have this guy than a full size one.   

   It drills hinge holes very well but I still wish I had the full size machine.

    

    

   TFB (Bill)
1. 
   brownbagg | Sep 14, 2006 05:11am | #16

   i had one of those delta bench top bandsaws. The most fun I had was when I took it outside and beat it up against a pine tree. Best thing it was every made for, releaving stress. It laid in the yard for about two years. was a target for the riding mower. Hated to get rid of it, but just was no parts left on it. Got a new shotgun but it was too late. It already went to the landfill. I sure miss that bandsaw.

1. 
   ToolFreakBlue | Sep 14, 2006 05:23am | #17

   lol.

   New Shot Gun...Pump, Semi-auto, overunder?TFB (Bill)