Can the Ryobi pass the nickel balanced on edge test? My Bosch can pass
it - even when starting up.

The "good" Ryboi's -- the BT3000 and BT3100 can, with ease. At least, my
BT3100 can, as can everyone else's that has reported on this test. The
thing has *no* noticeable vibration. When I got my jointer, I was shocked
by two things -- it's vibration, and how quiet the motor was.

--randy