Replies

1. 
   James1 | Dec 11, 2002 11:37pm | #1

   I bought the 10" Ryobi from Hole Depot up here in Canada, and I can say it has been fine. I should add though that it does not get heavy use as I do mostly handwork, I don't know how well it would stand up to heavy use. The drill cost $!49. and the Forstner drill bits I bought cost around $80. (1/4 to 1" HSS).

1. 
   dovetail3 | Dec 12, 2002 01:10am | #2

   Thanks. The unit here is about $90. Wonder why it's so much more

   in Canada? Or is it the same given the exchange rate?

   Ken

2. 
   booch | Dec 12, 2002 05:03am | #3

   I got a knockoff (china- Korea) brand 100$ and also fit it with an AMT brand forstner ?$ . As long you choose one where the quill is solid (minimal runout) it works fine.I haven't used it enough to go out an buy a better unit. The only time I wish I had a floor standing model is when I look at the bench space it eats up.

   OH yes one last thing, features. Check the tables for square to the bit. You ought to be able to tilt the table but you need it to come back to home easily. I assume they both have a rack to raise and lower the table? How are they to change speeds? is it easy to loosen the belt to change the pulley setup? Mine is a rotten experience for that.

2. 
   ToolDoc | Dec 12, 2002 09:09pm | #4

   Harbor Freight has there HD 16 speed 13 inch bench top drill press on sale for $129.00  also the floor model version for only $149.99 both have a 3/4 hp motor

   model #s are 38142 & 38144---sale ends12/30/02 by the way that price is good only in there retail stores..

1. 
   dovetail3 | Dec 12, 2002 10:03pm | #5

   Thanks. I appreciate the info. I don't think there is

   a Harbor Freight where I live in Palm Desert. Do you like

   the Delta 10" benchtop. It's $99.00 At Lowes

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 13, 2002 05:04am | #7

   dovetail

      I have the old style Ryobi 10" without the rack and pinion. I took a Delta 10" back as the chuck came off with heavy drilling and the chuck had a ton of run-out.

      The Ryobi 10" is outstanding for $99 in my opinion. I will have to look and see if they have changed design with the addition of the rack and pinion table. My table or drill doesn't have any table play as I fixed it. I added a 4-ton hydrualic jack underneath the table attached to it. The jack is attached to the base and the top I drilled and attached to table. I can lift a big log on the table with the addition. he...

      Would I buy it again? Yep, except I'm going to look at their new 12" at $149. But yes, the 10" IMO is a very good small DP if you tweak the design flaws. I've been known to do a little tinkering and modifying. Grin<> Have a look for yourself.

   Good luck and any questions, give a shout...

   sarge..jt

   
1. 
   billballeza | Dec 13, 2002 06:47am | #8

   Sarge.. tell us a little about that stand and table. All custom? And did you paint the belt housing? If so.. you sure can dress up a modest piece of gear. How about some more pics of your shop.. you must be the Felix Unger of woodworkers. :)

   bill

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 13, 2002 08:57pm | #13

   bill

      Thanks for the compliment. I may be as neat and picky as Felix, but that is probaly where the similarity ends. Ha... Yes, I sanded down the original color and shot it candy apple red. I design my own bases and build most with cheap yellow pine I cure. The D/P stand is made from a 1 1/2" x 12" x 10" piece of yellow pine (about $10 invested). Three coats of high gloss porch and floor paint. Don't have a pic yet, but just built a heavy-duty stand for the Delta 22-580 thickness planer with a piece of 1 1/2" x 10" x 8' with a 24" x 2 7/8" left over. Never know when you need spare parts. grin<>

      All my assembly tables and work-benchs are homemade as the cabinets for the other modest tools I have. I really don't have any high dollar tools. I have taken modest, ok tools and modified to get maximum performance out of each. It has worked for me for 30 years. I am in a local club with a large amount of newcomers to WW. They get a lot of ideas from what I have dreamed up over the years.

      I will post some pics taken several weeks ago. Lots of things have changed as have recently added jointer, thickness planer and got a Penn State DC I'm currently working on. Built a two stage out of it and mounting the separator and DC on one mobile base. Had to make some major changes to accomadate the new tools. The D/P and B/S is now on the wall as the thickness planer and rolling tool box accomadate that space. Shot some pics next week as I need for insurance anyway. In the meantime heres some pics from a couple of weeks ago. Not to good a shot of my junk $280 T/S, but will get some better on next pics..

   Here's your grand tour and the coffee's free. BTW, if you bring soft drinks they can be stored in the small shop refrigerator located in the maple cabinet underneath the dust drawer on my junk T/S. grin<> Down south we like to be ready if company drops in. grin<>

   Ya'll come to see us, ya hear. We'll leave the porch lights on for you..

   sarge..jt 

   
2. 
   billyg83440 | Dec 13, 2002 11:48pm | #15

   Wow, that's got to be the neatest, cleanest, most organized shop I've ever seen.

   I currently use part of our 2 car garage, and, well, I keep losing the floor.

   Impressive.

   What do you like to build besides shop furniture?

3. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 14, 2002 04:28am | #18

   Billy

      Thank you. I took my time and a lot of pride putting that particular shop together. Not much wasted space and I don't have to move but a few feet to find an accessory associated with the tool I'm working with. I built about everything, so I don't have a large amount invested.

      What do I like to build. I used to do traditional and period furniture. After 30 years, I don't need much in my own home. Occasionally, the First Lady puts in a request. I use my and others donated shorts and re-covered lumber to build some well needed and functional furniture for shelters (homeless, battered women,etc.). Tables, night-stands, benches, desk, etc.  I am currently building wooden toys for needy families children for ole Santa. A few of my close friends and I do it every year. About as close as I want to be to production. We usually can turn out about 200 between us. They get distributed through churches, etc.

      I like to design my own furniture. I have never used a plan or blue-print. Part of the fun. Never built the same piece exactly the same in 30 years. And yes, I like to do work-shop benches, stands, jigs, etc. Local club has many new-comers, many without space and budget. Help them out a little with using their space efficiently and building their own jigs and benches. They are amazed at what can be done on a small budget when you sit down with a cup of coffee and do a little thinking before you start whining I don't have this or I don't have that. As long as they got enthusiasm, I got the time to help them a little. I enjoy passing what little knowledge I have.

   Guess that's just who I am, nothing more-nothing less..

   sarge..jt

4. 
   billyg83440 | Dec 20, 2002 01:12am | #24

   Hey, I'm impressed. Someday I hope to have something as neat as that.

   Cooking up something right now. When I get it figured out and done, maybe I'll post some pictures.

   Good luck on getting all the Christmas gifts done in time. Great cause.

   Our church just put together some toys to send to some missionaries in Albania. They're starting some daycares, and people there just don't have much of anything.

   Wish you lived close, I'd love to come by and learn some of your tricks.

5. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 20, 2002 05:57am | #25

   Billy

      Thank you. They're not tricks. Just grab a cup of coffee and sit down and stare at your shop and equipment a while. Think a little and then "go for it". Common sense will prevail.

      Where are you. And yes, drop by any time by all means..

   sarge..jt

6. 
   billyg83440 | Dec 20, 2002 08:02pm | #26

   Me, I'm in the great state of Idaho. I gather you're somewhere down south. I lived in Georgia for a couple years, buy haven't been there since 88.

   I'm currently in the gather stage of putting a shop together. I like to get older tools and equipment, surplus and such and rebuild it into what I want. My job and the many home improvement projects I have going simply take up the time I have to put a wood shop together.

   Currently I am planning a large table saw station. I recently purchased a nice T-Square style fence w/ 80" rails. I'm going to take my older Rockwell saw, which I've refurbished, off it's stand and put it on a metal base w/ some drawers that I got from a retired medical exam table. I have purchased 2 nice used older metal toolboxes. One will be incorporated into the saw station, as will my planer, outfeed support, and possibly a downdraft sanding station, router table, and my small jointer. At the end of the saw station will be an old craftsman table saw that I will use mostly as a disk sander.

   Also have an older Rockwell lathe that needs a stand and motor, and the tailstock repaired. I've never used a lathe before, but am anxious to try it, though I'll need some tools.

   But, first I need to finish putting in some storage space in the attic so I can dejunk the shop some, and rewire the garage to meet my needs. Adding some 220 lines, some drop outlets, flourescent lights, more outlets & circuits, and 2 ceiling fans. I've got most of the materials, and should have some time over the Christmas holidays, but it'll mostly be spent doing house stuff, such as some closet building.

   I think I'm more of a scrounge then anything, but I get a lot for my money, most times, and enjoy saving things from going to the dump and making something useful from them.

   I intend to go for it, just got to get going. I really wish to put my shop together now, but I have other things that need done first.

   I'd love to come by and see your place sometime, just not sure I'd ever be in the area.

   Thanks

   Bill

7. 
   billballeza | Dec 14, 2002 01:05am | #16

   Sarge.. unbelievable! Your shop looks like more like a show place or museum of home woodworking than a real life functioning shop. Everything has such a high sheen on it I would hate to walk in there and cut, drill, shape, joint or assemble anything. Does an alarm go off if glue drips? LOL. Seriously.. congratulations on a beautiful, well thought out, and obviously, lovingly crafted space. And thanks for your generosity and hospitality. I'm going back in for a second look so I can go home tonight and kick my stuff around for being so ugly. :)

   bill

8. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 14, 2002 05:38am | #20

   bill

      Don't be too harsh on ugly. If it gets the quality results that you are looking to achieve in the finished product, it doesn't matter. I just like a well organized and clean shop. I feel more comfort in that zone and spend less time tracking things down. That sheen you reffered too helps when I blow it out at the end fo the day with an electric blower. I have a not too bad dust system and should get better with the one stage modified to two I shoud have added by this week-end. I made it mobile to hook to an individual tool and the Penn State comes with FELT bags in 1 micron.

      I also like to paint. I love to paint when I get frustrated. I have a 16 1/2 yr. old son. Lots of painting gets done. Do the floors every spring and the walls and ceiling very two. By keeping on top of clean-up after daily use, it saves a ton of time and effort in the long run..

      I just like a clean shop. It makes me feel good. When I feel good I get things done. When I get things done, it makes me happy. When I'm happy, well it just doesn't get any better than that.

   Time to do sawdust. Gotta roll as Santa has already filed a flight plan. All children, both rich and poor dream of toys for Xmas. The rich kids are pretty well covered. Time to roll and see if I can help cover the as- end of that statement. I've been on that as- end. It hurts to wake up on Xmas and stand with your hands in your pocket watching the other kids play with their new toys and Santa didn't make it to your house.

   HO HO HO, Merry Xmas to you and yours. Looks like I'm gonna get that clean shop full of sawdust throughout the nite. I'll just clean it up in the morning and come back tomorrow nite and do the same thing again. That makes me HAPPY.. Like I said, it doesn't get any better than that!!

   sarge..jt

9. 
   billballeza | Dec 14, 2002 05:53am | #21

   Sarge.. you da' man! Merry Christmas. Hope I get to meet you one day.. in this life or next.

   bill

10. 
    RANGERP75R | Dec 14, 2002 06:29am | #23

    bill

       Just replied to Dennis. Thanks and the feeling is mutual. Now I got to crank it up a notch as time's a wastin'. The noise doesn't bother the neighbors. They know what's cookin' in my southern kitchen this time of year. They cheer me on. Probaly will be about 3 or 4 of us standing knee deep in sawdust by sun-up as we use any excuse for a block party. Might even be some B-Q on the grill before it's over. Feel free to drop by, the welcome mat is always out and you can't miss it. Look for the red-white-blue mailbox with Ole Glory flapping in the breeze on the flag-pole out front.

    sarge..jt

2. 
   DennisS | Dec 14, 2002 04:36am | #19

   > ....I added a 4-ton hydrualic jack underneath the table attached to it.

   I meant to ask you when you first mentioned that setup, Sarge, do you press axle bearings as a sideline? (grin)

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 14, 2002 06:06am | #22

   Dennis

      Just heading to the shop for an all-niter. Couldn't resist an answer to that one. Ha.. Nah, no axle bearing here. We got all that at our restoration shop at work.

      But, there might just be a few apples pressed for juice in the fall. Makes awful good cider. You know we southern boys don't prefer the taste of goverment taxed spirits. Run it through a nice rusty radiator and haul it in a tank under the trunk as you're being chased by the po-lese. Now that gives it just the ingredients it needs to add some good-ole southern flavor.

      Ahh, they just don't make it like they used too.. That's why I quit 25 years ago. Well, I didn't quit<> ? <> I just ran out 25 years ago and haven't  remembered to pick any up since. grin<>....

   sarge..jt

2. 
   ToolDoc | Dec 13, 2002 08:07am | #9

   I have looked at the Delta that you mentioned and also the Ryobi drill presses and the Sears/Craftsman, the sears/Craftsman and the Ryobi sure look alot alike soo I sort of think that Ryobi is making the drill presses for Sears..I think old Sarge is right about spending a couple bucks more and go with the better new Ryobi drill press,but for that kind of money you could also get either a Grizzly or the Harbor Freight models..or even move up to a better model Delta..this really is a tough one,guess my advise would be shop around and see where the best deal is and get the best bang for your buck.. But always remember Let The Buyer Beware....

   Take Care and let us know what model you get..    ToolDoc

1. 
   dovetail3 | Dec 13, 2002 06:44pm | #10

   Thanks: The Delta came in a box and required assembly. I think I'll just buy one of those devices you insert a hand drill into which guides the bit straight. I recently sold a Powermatic floor drill press and am I sorry now! Are you familiar with these guide? If so, what do you think

   Thanks Ken, Palm Desert CA

1. 
   ToolDoc | Dec 13, 2002 07:46pm | #11

   sorry never used one of those guides never had to always use my drill press which is more accurate than a guide, the Delta  drill press comes in a box and needs to be assembled-- it is not hard to assemble...

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 13, 2002 08:09pm | #12

   dovetail

      Beware of the attach to a drill things. I have a craftsman I bought 30 years ago that is one of the best tools I have ever purchased. It is accurate and can even drill pipe. $9.00 at the time.

      I bought one of the new types from Highland Hardware 2 yrs. ago and it is a waste of money. Terrible run-out and the guides are out of alignment. There is another brand available which I cannot comment on. If I still have the one I bought, I will send it to you free as a gift if you e-mail your address. I will have to check, as I seem to remember chunking it in the garbage. he..... My opinion, anyway..

   Luck...

   sarge..jt

3. 
   dovetail3 | Dec 13, 2002 10:37pm | #14

   Thanks much: I pickeup one up at Home Depot. The test hole I drilled

   looked straight. I'll make a few more test runs before I use it on my

   drawer fronts though. It's made by General

   Ken

4. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 14, 2002 03:55am | #17

   dovetail

      Your welcome. I hope it proves to be as good as the previous DP100 design. It may be the same with the rack and pinion added for the table and column. Where did you get the info on made by General or General International as GI is the import line of General Canada. Was not aware of that.

      I shopped several floor models and there were some that had more chuck run-out than the DP100. I really don't need much over 12", but the new Rigid with the ambidextrious handle has caught my eye. Have to wait to see on it as I have not seen it in the stores yet. I'll put a mic and square on it when it shows before I upgrade. I may keep the 10" as it has served me well.

   Good luck..

   sarge..jt

3. 
   billballeza | Dec 13, 2002 01:03am | #6

   I bought the Ryobi at HD. Here's the problem. The table cannot be tightened down enough that it won't swivel back and forth. A very annoying problem. I called Ryboi and the tech was familiar with the problem and suggested I take it back. That was it. Take it back.

   What I did was buy two band clamps (the kind that tighten with screws) and wrapped 'em around the bar the table slides up and down on. That just about solved the problem.. but the table still toggles back and forth about a 32nd. The drill is okay for under $100.. but you do get what you pay for.

   bill