A drill press is one of the most versatile and powerful tools you can ever have in your toolbox. Not only does it drill precise holes in wood and metal but also in other materials.
However, if you’re planning to get a drill press, you should know that they are not built equally. Therefore, you must find the best tool for the job at hand.
Speaking about the best tool, you probably have heard or come across Ryobi drill presses. If not, Ryobi is one of the best value brands around and they have a wide selection of tools.
But you might be wondering, are their drill presses any good? And if yes, which are their best drills for the money?
In this Ryobi Drill Press review, we look at some of the best options available on the market from this brand. The article will focus on the:
Features of each product
Pros and cons
How to choose the best drill press
FAQ
So, keep reading and we hope you find this article helpful in choosing the right drill press for your needs.
Best Ryobi Drill Press Review – Quick Comparison Table
Whatever the job at hand, you need a quality drill machine that can bore precise and uniform holes at different angles. So, here is a quick overview of each product to help you make the right choice.
Voltage: 120 volts Horsepower: 0.25 hp Minimum Speed: 570 RPM Maximum Speed: 3050 RPM Swing Distance: 10 inches Features: – Heavy-duty induction motor – 5 speed selections – Exactline laser alignment system – Rack and pinion adjustable table height
The DP103L is our top pick for the best Ryobi drill press. It is equipped with some great features and comes at an unbeatable price. But how does this machine perform? Let’s check out at its features:
Motor
One of the features that make this tool powerful for most drilling jobs is its heavy-duty induction motor. As such, the motor can deliver amazing torque to help you get the job done with so much ease.
The best part? It is designed to provide you with long-lasting performance thanks to its heavy-duty construction. On top of that, the motor is easy to maintain since it does not have slip rings, brushes, or commutators.
Speed
Also, worth mentioning is that this device comes with a wide range of speed settings to choose from. For the price, you get 5-speed selections which is good value for the money.
So, with the five speeds, you can choose high speeds for boring through wood and lower speeds for drilling through metal. The best part is that you can select your preferred speed with just the turn of a knob.
Worktable
Being a benchtop drill press, the Ryobi DP103L features a rack and pinion worktable. But here is the best part; the table allows you to adjust its height to your advantage for added versatility. On top of that, the table is spacious enough.
What’s more? The worktable of this machine is built to tilt up to 360-degrees. This allows you to quickly find the best angle where you can comfortably work.
Storage Compartment
Another important feature of this product is the convenient storage compartment it comes with. The compartment allows you to store the chuck keys conveniently for ease of accessibility. It also helps ensure easy organization.
Other Features
Also included with the machine is an exact line laser alignment system. This feature allows you to aim better at where you want to bore holes with great accuracy.
More so, it comes with a built-in work light to promote optimal visibility of the workspace. This means that you can comfortably work even in dim lit conditions.
As if that’s not enough, the tool is equipped with a locking depth stop to allow repetitive applications. More importantly, you also get a hex wrench, chuck key, and two AA batteries besides the drill press.
Voltage: 120 volts Material: Cast Iron Minimum Speed: 620 RPM Maximum Speed: 3100 RPM Horsepower: 0.25 HP Features: – Integrated LED work light for optimal visibility – Tilting cast iron table tilts tool-free from 0 – 45 degrees
This is a certified refurbished product but works and looks like new. And for this reason, Amazon offers a 90-day renewed guarantee. That said, let’s take a look at its features.
Motor
Similar to the Ryobi DP103L 10 in. Drill Press, this machine is also powered by a heavy-duty induction motor. Therefore, you can expect a long tool life and superior drilling power on a variety of materials.
But here is the best part; the motor boasts 1/4 HP. As such, it’s able to deliver more torque and get most jobs done compared to the Ryobi DP103L 10 in.
Speed
When it comes to the speed selections of this drill, you get 5 levels of variable speed settings to choose from. The lowest being 620 RPM and 3, 100 RPM the highest. This allows you to drill through different materials with ease.
And you know what the best part is? It is easy to switch through the different speeds via a conveniently located knob. On top of that, you don’t have to worry about the drill wobbling or vibrating when at top speed.
Worktable
What’s more? The machine is engineered with a tilting table featuring cast iron construction for added durability. Also, the construction of the table helps keep the machine steady by reducing vibration.
And guess what? The worktable is designed to tilt up to 45 degrees to facilitate greater control. This should make drilling easier than ever. Unfortunately, the table’s height is not adjustable.
LED Work Light
Additionally, the Ryobi ZRDP103L boasts onboard LED work light for improved visibility. This means it’s safe to use this machine even in poorly lit conditions.
And according to different reviews, the light does a great job of illuminating the workspace. Consequently, it allows you to bore precise and uniform holes at various angles.
Other Features
Also included with this tool is an extremely efficient laser system. The laser is designed to guide on where to drill. Consequently, this enables you to bore accurate holes every time.
As if that’s not enough, the machine comes with a storage compartment where you can conveniently store the chuck keys. This not only allows easy organization of the keys but also accessibility.
What’s more? The package includes a 1/2-inch all-metal keyed chuck that takes in most of the drill bits you come across. Also, the chuck seems solid and well-made.
You must be wondering, why did we settle on these two Ryobi drill presses? And how do you choose the best drill press out of the many options available?
In this section of our Ryobi Drill Press review, we look at the important features to consider. These include:
Power
The first aspect to consider is the power of the drill press. This is usually provided in horsepower (HP). Generally, machines with higher horsepower are very powerful and will easily get most work done.
Control Speeds
Drill presses usually come with different operating speeds. This is important because different materials require different drilling speeds. However, the best machine does not need to have lots of speed levels.
Therefore, we recommend getting a drill with a minimum of 5 control speed levels. It’s also important that you choose a machine that allows you to cycle through the speed settings with ease.
Adjustable Worktable
An adjustable worktable can make a huge difference in how you do your job. For this reason, it is advisable to buy a machine with a worktable that can tilt to various angles.
Some models like the Ryobi DP103L can tilt up to 360 degrees while others can only tilt to 45 degrees. Generally, the more a worktable tilts, the better so you can get a personalized working angle.
Laser System
Also, worth considering is if the product has laser guides in place. This system enables you to drill in the perfect position aligning with the hole. Simply put, it allows for precision centering of your workpiece under the drill bit.
And if you’re just starting out, you should consider a machine with a laser that is visible even in broad daylight.
Working Light
Last but not least, you need to look out for working light. This feature will let you work in all types of conditions, including poorly lit ones.
The good news is that most drill presses come with an onboard LED work light to illuminate your workspace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know so much about Ryobi drill presses, here are answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Q: Are Ryobi drill presses any good?
A: Yes, they are. However, the above two options that we’ve reviewed are their best drill presses for the money.
Q: Is Ryobi really a good brand?
A: Yes, it’s actually one of the best value brands out there. They have plenty of product selection and their power tool lineup is very good.
Q: What does the 10 in. refer to?
A: It refers to the distance from the center of the spindle to the edge of the column, then doubled. Simply put, it’s the largest diameter piece the drill press can handle.
Which is the Best?
Like we’ve already mentioned in this Ryobi drill press review, both of these machines offer good value for the money. However, the Ryobi DP103L drill press is our top pick. A lot of people appreciate the fact that its worktable can be tilted up to 360-degrees and has an adjustable height. Not to mention, it comes with a laser system for precision drilling.
Final Words
Looking for a tool that is capable of drilling holes of identical size and at precise angles? Well, the above Ryobi drill press tools are worth considering. The products are not only built for long-lasting performance but also for different drilling applications. Besides, they are considered to be some of the best drills out there.
