Ridgid, Grizzly... others - Woodworking Talk

apthiry · 09-22-2008, 09:57 PM

Hello All,

I need some advice. I am thinking of purchasing a joiner and drill press. I’ve been looking pretty much everywhere but I am leaning towards Ridgid products or Grizzly. What have your experiences been with either? Grizzly is actually cheaper but by the time I pay for freight they it is more expensive than going to my local Home Depot and buying the equipment off the floor. Can anyone recommend any other brand name equipment I should check out before I buy either one?

I am looking for the best bang for my buck. I have very limited space and I will have to move the equipment to the sides of my garage whenever it is not in use.

Thanks,

Tony

dbhost · 09-22-2008, 10:52 PM

You nailed exactly the reason I don't own any Grizzly tools, and why I own several Ridgid Tools...

Depending on your garage layout, you might want to position the jointer, and DP so they don't have to be moved to use them, and keep most everything else on wheels... The jointer in particular should be set up nice and level, and kept that way...

knotscott · 09-23-2008, 06:06 AM

Both good choices...pros and cons with each. When you compare prices, compare to the door costs, including tax. I think the Grizzly DP's tend to be a bit better value but it varies with each model. The Grizzly G0491 is $326.50 delivered. The comparable Ridgid model would be ~ $332 and I'd have to drive to get it. Those prices are close enough to buy the model you like best without much regard for the price differences.

You don't need to stick with the same brand for both. Heck, I swapped my little Griz DP for a bigger Harbor Freight model and couldn't be happier with it. Jet, Rikon, Delta, GI, Steel City are all good choices....even some Craftsman models are good. Check for a deal.

smitty1967 · 09-23-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apthiry

I am looking for the best bang for my buck.

Hey Tony: we all are doing exactly that...I have have the good fortune to be able to afford quite a few nice tools. I went with Grizzly, and drove to Springfield, MO to avoid the freight charges. It was a day's worth of driving, loading, unloading, strapping, etc....but if you can swing it, I would definately recommend it. All my Grizzly tools have been top notch from the beginning. And personally, you couldn't give me a Rigid, or anything else from Home Depot, after the experience my wife and I had with them over a kitchen remodel and cabinet order. So my opinion is swayed to the other direction, but that's why we're here, to offer opinions....

best of luck
smitty

Woodchuck1957 · 09-23-2008, 10:47 AM

The best bang for your buck on a drill press is the Steel City 17", I think it's probably the hotest selling right now. In a jointer I'd go with the Ridgid.

apthiry · 09-24-2008, 09:24 PM

Thanks for the input guys.

Hey Woodchuck, if you are still out there, I'd like to know more about the SteelCity drill press you are recommending. It's about $200 dollars more than the Grizzly Model I was looking at (G7944 12 Speed Heavy-Duty 14" Floor Drill Press
) but I do like some of the features. The Steel City DP has a 6" stroke compared to the Grizzly's 3 1/4 inch if I am comparing the correct specifications. Is the 3 inches woth $200?

Thanks,

Tony

Woodchuck1957 · 09-24-2008, 11:00 PM

Hello Tony, 3 1/4" isn't going to get you through a 4" x 4". The Steel City drill press is a larger machine giveing you 8 1/2" from the center of the chuck to the post instead of 7" that the Grizzly has. The Steel City also is 16 speed instead of 12 speed, it has a paddle safety switch which is easier to shut off, it is a split head casting design that gives you the ability to compensate for wear and insure accuracy of the quill assembly over the life of the machine which is another feature that sets this machine apart from the rest of the competition, the table is larger and easier to clamp things too, and it comes with a lamp. Shipping weight is about 70 lbs heavier. For the money it's a very nice drill press and should hold it's value very well over the years. If your stuck on a budget and only have so much to spend I would buy the Ridgid 15" before I'd buy the Grizzly. The Ridgid will drill through a 4" x 4" in one pass, has the nicer table, comes with a built in work light, and is cheaper if your local Home Depot carries them than the Grizzly is after shipping. One word of caution about putting a drill press on a mobile base if thats what your intentions are, don't do it, they are too top heavy.