Anyone having purchased the ridgid 15" floor drillpress. I looked at one today and have intentions of buying it. I use hand drills now but thought it would be nice to have a drillpress in my shop to use when I need it. I guess I have gotten by without it all these years but thought it might be time to own one. How do you like yours?
Ridgid floor drillpress
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texbaylea
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Before you buy from Home Depot why don't you go to Grizzly Industrial -- Home. I have formed a favorable opinion of their tools and the prices are reasonable. The Ridgid line was originally built by Emerson (who made Sears power tools back when they were quality) then the line was sold to Home Depot and it is not the same quality as it was.
Vernon
Vernon
BobRip
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I just bought a Grizzly drill press. It will drill upto one inch in steel. It goes down to 200 RPM which is important for the large bits. I am very pleased with it.
hazmat
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I have the ridgid drill press. A gift card at the time + a 20% off power tools sale brought the cost under $125 for me. It performs well within it's ability (see below).
The lowest speed is 300 rpm - not great for drill big holes in steel.
There are really only 3-4 specifcations that count on a drill press
1 - speeds available - generally the issue is not going slow enough for metal or large holes in wood
see chart here wood magazine drill chart
2 - Quill travel - better drill presses have a travel in excess of 4", I think delta has a machine that has 6" of travel. The ridgid has 3.75"
3 - "size" the 15" drill press is really a 7.5" drill press, it can drill to the center of a 15" piece, but you only have 7.5" between the center of the spindle and the rear post.
4 - HP - not as important IMO as the other specs, especially if you have slow speeds available.
There is a substantial difference between the $250 drill presses and the more expensive ones. Mostly available speeds and quill travel. Ridgid has OK quill travel (I usually wish it had more) and doesn't go slow enough, the grizzly G7944 goes down to 140 rpm, but the quill travel is only 3.25" Think about your uses / needs regarding the above specs and you'll make a good decision.
Almost all drill presses have tables that are better suited to metalworking, you can buy or make a table that is better suited to woodworking like this one rockler drill press table
The lowest speed is 300 rpm - not great for drill big holes in steel.
There are really only 3-4 specifcations that count on a drill press
1 - speeds available - generally the issue is not going slow enough for metal or large holes in wood
see chart here wood magazine drill chart
2 - Quill travel - better drill presses have a travel in excess of 4", I think delta has a machine that has 6" of travel. The ridgid has 3.75"
3 - "size" the 15" drill press is really a 7.5" drill press, it can drill to the center of a 15" piece, but you only have 7.5" between the center of the spindle and the rear post.
4 - HP - not as important IMO as the other specs, especially if you have slow speeds available.
There is a substantial difference between the $250 drill presses and the more expensive ones. Mostly available speeds and quill travel. Ridgid has OK quill travel (I usually wish it had more) and doesn't go slow enough, the grizzly G7944 goes down to 140 rpm, but the quill travel is only 3.25" Think about your uses / needs regarding the above specs and you'll make a good decision.
Almost all drill presses have tables that are better suited to metalworking, you can buy or make a table that is better suited to woodworking like this one rockler drill press table
Jagmandave
Veteran Member
I'd say a lot of the answer depends on what you see yourself doing with it.......
I bought one (not a Rigid brand, but an "off" brand cheapy - $175) and I've had it for about 8 years with only one problem - the chuck that came with it was cheaply made and wore out. However, a new chuck was only about $25 for a much better made one and it's worked flawlessly since. I'd say go for it if it suits the needs of what you'll be drilling. I use mine all the time and it's quite handy............
I bought one (not a Rigid brand, but an "off" brand cheapy - $175) and I've had it for about 8 years with only one problem - the chuck that came with it was cheaply made and wore out. However, a new chuck was only about $25 for a much better made one and it's worked flawlessly since. I'd say go for it if it suits the needs of what you'll be drilling. I use mine all the time and it's quite handy............
bmac
Veteran Member
Here's a brand that's getting some pretty good reviews on a woodworking forum I've visited recently.
Steel City
Their's has 6" of spindle (quill) travel. As I understand, they are a relatively new company that is making some high quality stuff. You may want to check them out.
Steel City
Their's has 6" of spindle (quill) travel. As I understand, they are a relatively new company that is making some high quality stuff. You may want to check them out.
