Ridgid - DP1550 Drill Press (Rating: 3)

Why this press
1. Decent reviews.
2. Decent price
3. COUPON!

The day I bought it

11:30 a.m. In the tool section.
"Joe": Can I help you?
Me: I am going to buy this drill press. Can you get it down?
"Joe: No problem. It will be waiting in aisle 6.
Me (impressed): Thanks

12:15 p.m. After shopping.
Me: Hi, where's the drill press?
"Joe" : uh, I'm waiting for the lift
other worker: Let's just use the stairs and carry it down.
"Joe" (shaking tool): Dude it weighs about 500 pounds (actual weight 140 or so).

12:45: After more waiting
"Joe": you have to go pay and then I can order it down.

1:00 At register with receipt
"Joe" : They can't get it for an hour
Me: (thinking wtf!)
"Joe" I'll put it on hold and you come back.
Me: Do you give me a receipt?
Joe: No, I'll remember you.
Me: I think I need a receipt. How will I prove I get to take the $300 tool.
"Joe": It's me. Joe. I'll be here.
Me: I need it in writing.
Joe: We don't do that.
Me: I need it. Can I talk to your manager?
Joe: (Disappears for a minute and then reappears with a scrap of yellow paper): Here you go.

Crumpled Yellow Scrap Paper:

John paid for his drill press.

Signed,

Joe # 25
Tool Dept.

I'm thinking, whatever. So I load my car with the other junk I bought and go back to Customer Service and show them the yellow scrap paper with "Joe's" writing on it. He had lied about everything. I had to wait about another 20 minutes during which they apologized 20 times.

I'm pretty mellow but I was pissed.

1:40 Near the door
So finally here comes "Joe" rolling my drill press.

He and I walked in very uncomfortable silence to my car. Loaded the car in silence.

In the end all "Joe" could say was "Watch the curves."

Grrrrrr.

Actual Review
Well…. it drills holes. I never had to test runout or anything. It just does what I want it to do.

I debated the speed changing thing. Some variable speed drill presses have a dial, this one requires you to change belts (see the picture above). When you lift the lid, there is a little chart that matches speed with bit size and material. It takes about 10 or 20 seconds since there is a quick release tension handle. It is not a big deal. The dial machines tend to be much more expensive.

Nice features:
Floor tool (doesn't take up bench space)
Portable (I put casters on it and it rolls nicely)
Power is fine (1/2 hp has never bogged down in quartersawn oak)
7 1/2 inches to center for drilling 15" centers.
Light! <Love this.

Price
$299 U.S. at Home Depot (ask for Joe)

Stars
3 . It does the job. It is adequate. Nothing special. Reliable so far.