Nice update to the Ryobi DP100
Written: Jan 16 '03 (Updated Feb 15 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Reasonable value for the dollar
Cons: Apparent quality control problems
The Bottom Line: Recommended for the hobbyist or DIY who knows something about adjusting and maintaining a drill press or similar machinery.
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| rumpel2's Full Review: Ryobi 10" Benchtop Drill Press DP101 |
I gather that the DP101 is the successor to the DP100, having added features such as a table crank and a dial-type depth stop that were missing from the DP100. The basic specs appear identical: 1/2" chuck, 2.5" spindle travel, 1/4hp induction motor, 5 speeds ranging from 570rpm to 3050rpm, etc.
The DP101 is reasonably solidly built, and is an improvement on the no-name 8" press that I have had for more than 20 years. It's quieter, and has less run-out at the chuck. For the money, it represents good value.
The DP101 also had several features that my previous machine did not, and which I decided I could no longer do without. In particular, I wanted the table crank, and the ability to handle larger work pieces. There had been too many times that I found the 8" press too limited in what it could handle. The dial-type depth stop was a bonus -- it's far easier to set than the threaded rod with the stop-nuts. A quill lock would be nice, but that feature seems not to be available on the smaller drill presses.
A small point. I've seen some comments that create the impression that the table will tilt only 45 degrees in either direction. Not so -- it will tilt as far as you want in either direction. The 45-degree reference is to the extent of the index scale -- beyond 45 degrees, you're on your own. That's no loss -- the tilt index scale is a useful indication, but it's hardly precise. You'll usually want to use more accurate instruments to ensure that it's at the angle you want. The main thing is that there's no obstacle to tilting the table till its work surface is vertical to permit clamping a long piece to it for end-drilling.
But like most things built for the consumer market, there are some trade-offs. Between my experience and those mentioned in other reviews on this site, it seems that Ryobi's quality control may be a bit spotty. One reviewer of the DP-100 commented on excessive run-out at the chuck. I didn't have that problem. I did have a problem with the motor mount and the slide rails that allow adjustment of belt tension.
Those rails are short, but fit closely in mating holes in the back of the head assembly. The rails must be reasonably parallel to allow the motor mount to move smoothly through its range. Mine were out by nearly 1/16" over the 2" length of the rails, with the result that the motor mount could move through less than 1/2" without binding. Several nicks that had raised burrs on one of the slide rails did not exactly help.
The main problem was that the surface to which the slide rails were fastened was not flat. The motor mount plate that provided that surface was an inexpensive stamping, which does not make for tight tolerances. No effort had been made during manufacture to ensure that the slide rails were fastened to a flat surface. Lapping the slide rail mounting surface flat fixed that problem, and involved far less delay than making a warranty claim.
Other than that, manufacturing quality was quite acceptable. Sure, I'd have liked a little less play in the quill or spindle splines, but that's asking a bit much in consumer-quality (and priced) machines. Spindle run-out at the chuck was nearly imperceptible without a high-precision measuring instrument, which I don't have.
Just the same, you may want to improve the set-up with a little fine-tuning or maybe remove the odd rough spot. I did find that mating surfaces were generally a little dry and gritty, suggesting that Ryobi's assembly crews could have paid a bit more attention to cleaning and lubricating the parts before assembly. Mine certainly benefitted from a little cleaning and lubrication during assembly and afterwards.
The manual was clear and detailed as far as assembly was concerned, although I was surprised that the instructions for installation of the chuck on the spindle taper neglected to mention the need to ensure that the mating surfaces of the taper are absolutely free of burrs and debris. I'd also like to have seen more detail in the alignment, maintenance, and lubrication instructions for the machine.
Such assembly as is required went easily. It's easier to put the head assembly on the column when the latter is standing on the floor, though that does leave one with the problem of hoisting a 64lb assembly to the benchtop after the head assembly set-screws have been tightened. (And let me assure you -- you do not want to use this machine until it's bolted to the benchtop or a good stand. Like most drill presses, the head assembly weighs quite a bit more than the base, making it quite top-heavy. I don't want even to think about what that 40lb cast-iron head assembly would do to whatever it landed on if the drill press fell over.)
Preliminary usage indicates that I will enjoy using this machine. It is solid and precise -- at least compared to what I was used to. For a knowledgeable DIY or home shop, the DP101 is a good compromise between low cost and good quality. It may be a bit rough for a production shop. Given Ryobi's occasional quality control problems, I would be reluctant to recommend this product to a hobbyist that was just starting out and therefore might have difficulty recognizing and dealing with minor manufacturing defects if he was unlucky in the sample he got. However, I have yet to buy equipment of this kind without having to make at least minor adjustments to it when setting it up.
I had been under the impression that Ryobi products are a cut above the average in terms of overall quality. This product does not support that conclusion. A Craftsman, this drill press is not -- but a Craftsman would have been much more expensive.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
rumpel2
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Member: Rob M.
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Reviews written: 8
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Eclectic public servant into choral music, computers and DIY.
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