Discuss. One I had my eyes on yesterday was one of these..

http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/ezine/images/10-laser-drill-press.jpg
Any good?

IMHO an essential piece of shop equipment. I use mine for all types of things. It was actually the first thing I bought for my shop.

Same one I have I think and works great. Does everything that I need it to do. No problems at all. Go get it asap.

I got one on clearance from Lowes for 68 bucks. It's tied with my bandsaw for most used tool I own because it doubles as a sander. I'll use it as a fret press too.

...I'll use it as a fret press too.

That is ingenious. Do you have a pic of that setup (how you do it)?

Stewmac has always said you could use their fret press caul in either an arbor press or a drill press, so I'm hoping there's not much to the process. I'm still collecting the stuff for my first from-scratch neck, so I'll post pictures of my progress.

You won't regret buying one..
You can even use it to plane things with this thing:

http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_3lg/0485_3lg.jpg

I own a machine shop and my advice is to buy the best you can afford.
For about twice the money you could pick up a Delta DP350.
Things to look for are HP, chuck size and whether or not it's variable speed.
A lot of the home stores carry very cheap machinery that will fall apart with moderate use. But, if you only use it every so often, then go for it.

You won't regret buying one..
You can even use it to plane things with this thing:

http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_3lg/0485_3lg.jpg

Yes, some drill presses can stand up to that. However, I would not use this planer with that Ryobi.
For best "bang for the buck", check out Grizzly or look around used.
If you have in import place around like Harbor Freight, you can get a house-brand drill press very cheap that is built very sturdily. It won't be as nice (maybe) as Jet/Delta/Grizzly, but for a drill press, you want a beefy motor, a good chuck (no run-out), and a sturdy column. And you just might be able to get a floor standing heavy(ier) duty model for just a bit more.

Yes, some drill presses can stand up to that. However, I would not use this planer with that Ryobi.
For best "bang for the buck", check out Grizzly or look around used.
If you have in import place around like Harbor Freight, you can get a house-brand drill press very cheap that is built very sturdily. It won't be as nice (maybe) as Jet/Delta/Grizzly, but for a drill press, you want a beefy motor, a good chuck (no run-out), and a sturdy column. And you just might be able to get a floor standing heavy(ier) duty model for just a bit more.

most times, the bench-top and the floor-standing are exactly the same, just one has a taller stand. I know this for fact re: harbor freight.

The smallest I would get is a 10 in. for the distance from center of chuck to column.

Well I bought the Ryobi. Works great. Not too many choices out here in Aus. Definitely no Delta or Grizzly or whatever.

2 more things to look for in a drill press:
- max object height, that is the max clearance between chuck nose and table or foot
- chuck travel

Due to these two, I'm very reluctant to go for a benchtop drill press. A floorstanding is usually better also in chuck travel.
But then again, there is this interesting in-between... That is a rather interesting concept of saving a buck but getting enough.

2 more things to look for in a drill press:
- max object height, that is the max clearance between chuck nose and table or foot
- chuck travel

+1 on chuck travel. That's the biggest annoyance on my 10" benchtop.

I have a rinky-dink brand name from Big Lots. Floor-standing, 1/2" chuck, 1/2HP, belt-driven. It seems cheap, looks cheap, but is doing its job wonderfully so far. Best features are floor-standing and the 1/2" chuck. It can handle just about anything I can throw at it. If I get a good set of T-bolt jaws for holding things to the slotted table, I'll really be in business.

dont buy those ****** home depot brands, go to sears and get a craftsman, great waranties, although you wont ever need them if you know how to use the tools properly. you'll end up spending more money on 3 or 4 ryobis in a lifetime, when you can use a craftsmen for life.

One more point to ponder....

With a floor standing model it is much easier to get a much better piece of equipment. The really powerful and well built drill presses are floor standing.

That being said, aside form items like milling bits and planing a decent benchtop model will absolutely do a much better job than drilling free hand.

You are able to be much more accurate, consistent and precise with a dril press.

As has been said, if it looks cheap, it is cheap and may not last long or be a quality piece of equipment...but when/while it does work it will still be better than drilling with a hand drill...

dont buy those ****** home depot brands, go to sears and get a craftsman, great waranties, although you wont ever need them if you know how to use the tools properly. you'll end up spending more money on 3 or 4 ryobis in a lifetime, when you can use a craftsmen for life.

Funny you'd say that, because last time I checked, Ryobi makes the drill presses for Sears that they put the Craftsman label on. They change from time to time, but Sears doesn't make them.

Instead of a ryobi w/ 2 yr replacement you can spend a lil more at the depot and get a ridgid with a lifetime warranty


dont buy those ****** home depot brands, go to sears and get a craftsman, great waranties, although you wont ever need them if you know how to use the tools properly. you'll end up spending more money on 3 or 4 ryobis in a lifetime, when you can use a craftsmen for life.

Thos ten horsepower 2 phase floor models come in handy drilling pickguard screw holes.:p

Well the Ryobi doesn't look cheap, the home brand GMC one did. The Ryobi's got more than enough chuck travel for what I'm using it for, and it's certainly waaaay easier than drilling free-hand. As long as I don't go drilling through 17" thick hardwood with a massive drill bit I'm pretty positive it's gonna last me a long time :)