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The only thread I found that specifically asks about a bench top drill press was this one:

viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=16685&hilit=drill+press

From what Todd mentioned, it sounds like the Ryobi DP120 is no longer. It's been a while since that conversation so what, if any, bench top drill presses are solid for a small shop? Space is my biggest issue so I'm trying to stick with compact items. I just picked up a Delta 4" Belt sander/6" Disc combo for cheap on CL but plan on getting the Ridgid Oscillating sander soon.

What other bench top tools are out there that work well for guitar building?

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

I've only owned two bench drill press, one a lovely old 1940's Rockwell Delta on a roller cabinet made in the good ol' USA that I loved dearly and will always miss even though it had rather limited capacity. I had to part with it to make room for a large column Steel City drill press . The other was a modern Delta variable speed 12" D-350 that I don't miss . It was heavy, rugged, massive, and very, very, fast. I could not slow that machine down and boy was it loud. I think the slowest it would go was 600 rpm's. It would burn wood so I sold it to my neighbor. I will happily stay with manual belt changes from now on thank you. Anyway, this reply was not not for the purpose of suggesting a good bench drill press but was more to warn you about my unhappy expeirence with variable speed. I think there are a lot of good drill press choices out there especially if you go to the good wood working stores.

René

Christian, how big (or small...) is your shop. Mine is 185 sft total and I find that it really does depend on how you lay things out. I've done a couple of shuffles of all my stuff over the past few years and I'm totally amazed with how much I have in there and can still be working on 2-3 guitars at a time.

Anyway, I have the Ryobie 12" table top drill press. I really like it. Lots of space to do what I need and ample power too.



Check out my signature line for a post on my shop. It's a bit old (should update at some point) but should be able to give you some ideas of how to work in a small space.

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

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Well my shop doesn't have the walls up yet - I might get somewhere this weekend on that. I have a two car garage that is too small for two normal cars so I will be converting it to wall off a shop area that I can keep humidity and heat controlled. From what I have measured off it will only be 13 x 7 = 91 sq ft. I'm not *too* worried about this as I am still new in this and don't yet have much in the way of large shop tools, zoot, jigs, etc. I could also store certain things outside the walls of my little space if needed.

It sounds like the Ryobi is a good choice, I'll have to keep my eye out for sales and such (I have access to a large drill press at work until I procure one). I definitely like your setup, compact but I don't see anything you are missing. I bookmarked that link so I could check back for inspiration.

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

After thorough research I found the Woodtek hard to beat for an affordable solid benchtop drill press

http://woodworker.com/10-bench-top-dril ... 09-367.asp

I like my Delta 12" benchtop drill press, but it might be the same one that Rene hates...

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Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR

Thanks for the tips all -

Craigslist does rock in my opinion. One little tip there is to enter a search for the item you are looking for and then subscribe to the RSS feed (copy RSS link and paste it into the reader of your choice). I use Google Reader. I will be alerted when "Ryobi DP120", "Ryobi drill press", "Bosch colt" and "Ridgid sander" pop up on craigslist in the Seattle area. Handy way to do things so you don't have to constantly search or page through days of craigslist ads - keeping it all in one place.

I can't give shop or building tips so I'll contribute with my geek-savvy suggestions.

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

To change speeds on it, you have to manually move the belt? Is that correct? Is it a pain or just a fact of life?

_________________
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

Well I found a Ryobi DP120 on craigslist and will be picking it up in the morning. $100 seems like the right price for a couple year old unit. Anything I should look for when giving it the once over?

_________________
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian