Value of old Delta drill press?
- Thread starter PowerDubs
- Start date
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
Assuming everything's there and in good working condition, I'd try and get it for $150, probably pay up to a little over $200.
I may go pick this up tomorrow. What's it worth?
How many speeds? Does it have an intermediate pulley? I see what could be a table elevation feature?
If yes to all of the above I'd go $300 if it's in good condition.
If it's only 4 speeds and no table elevation then it's generally a woodworking DP and I'd go $100-150.
The mobile base is a plus too!!
That's a Delta 17" drill press. It's one of the strongest and best drill press models Delta ever made. There was never an intermediate pulley option for that model.
5 speeds, either low speed range (approx. 385-2600 RPM) for metalworking or high speed range (approx. 770-5200 RPM) for woodworking.
Since it has the #2 Morse taper spindle, it's probably the low speed model for metalworking.
Table elevation was standard on that model (and absolutely necessary with that production table).
If everything is operating as it should, easily worth $300. Less for missing or damaged parts.
You could say that again. 
First time I pulled the production table off my 15" delta, I was caught off guard. Realize I'm ~5'7" 175lbs, pulling that SOB off the column standing up was not fun.The drill press pictured, as it sits, weights in at ~380-400 lbs. VERY top heavy, use caution when moving.
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Steevo
Well-known member
I'd easily pay $200 or more, and travel half a day each way for that one.
The drill press pictured, as it sits, weights in at ~380-400 lbs. VERY top heavy, use caution when moving.
, i would bring a couple buddiesI VERY recently bought one of those. Mine is an unrestord 1951 Delta 17" with a production table, stub spindle, slow speed pulleys, original 3/4 hp motor, and 99% complete. $400. Not a smoking hot price, but for it's age and amazing condition, well worth the money and fair in my opinion. I also picked up a set of high speed pulleys for it. It's really a quality machine. This is probably the last drill press I'll ever buy, and as others have already said, it's very heavy.
Jim C.
Jim C.
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That looks like terrific drill press. In this area, those easily go in the $250 to $350 range, or more.
OP, since you ARE PICKING IT UP tomorrow, sounds like you already have price set that you're happy with - - - - how much ??
+1 being careful hauling that thing. I bought an older DP recently and we "packaged" it with some foam, cardboard and boards so it was square shape that I could ratchet strap to upright dolly. Hauled it home with my mesh utility trailer and strapped the whole thing down to trailer at slight angle with big pile of foam. Arrived perfectly with no damage.
Post up pics to evidence you grabbing that beauty !!
OP, since you ARE PICKING IT UP tomorrow, sounds like you already have price set that you're happy with - - - - how much ??
+1 being careful hauling that thing. I bought an older DP recently and we "packaged" it with some foam, cardboard and boards so it was square shape that I could ratchet strap to upright dolly. Hauled it home with my mesh utility trailer and strapped the whole thing down to trailer at slight angle with big pile of foam. Arrived perfectly with no damage.
Post up pics to evidence you grabbing that beauty !!
It's got five speeds. If you have both sets of pulleys, then you're capable of having ten speeds (five slow, and five high). It does not have an intermediate pulley, and it should come standard with a table elevation mechanism. In complete, original, undamaged condition, easily worth $300 or more.
Jim C.
You say that now.
Just wait. Post a pic of your machine if you can. Sounds really nice. 
If you're going to move the drill press, it's best to lower its center of gravity. I'd lower the table and head on the column as close to the base as possible. With the table and head lowered, it's fairly easy to move with a dolly that's rated to carry more than 400 pounds. Two people can handle it with a dolly.
Jim C.
Jim C.
You say that now.
No, this is it. This drill press has been a "quest machine" for me for several years now. I don't have the space for more than one. The motor needs bearings and a new switch and switch box, but that's about it.
Jim C.
Attachments
Yea, keep telling yourself that.
That is a very nice machine. The table looks flawless. 
Do you have the switch rod for it?Yea, keep telling yourself that.
No really! The drill press isn't my first old machine. I have a shop full of old Delta machines from the 1940s and 1950s, all in original, unmolested condition. Although the machines are somewhat showpieces in my shop, I USE THEM as my everyday, go to, machines. I'll spend years sometimes looking for the "right" machine. If a machine is in rough condition, missing much more than a few original nuts and bolts, has been repaired/welded/cosmetically restored, or is missing its original motor, etc., I'll pass on it and keep looking. Once I buy a machine, I'll give it a complete mechanical restoration and a good cleaning, but that's it. Having those kind of high standards also rules out most of the machines I see. So, finding just one of each, isn't always easy. When I buy a machine, I KNOW it's a "forever purchase." I don't collect old machines just for the sake having them. I don't typically buy parts machines either. I truly do not have the room for multiple drill presses. The Delta 17" is about as good as they come. Just one is all I'll need. By the way, my drill press did not come with a switch rod. I mentioned earlier that it needed an original switch and switch box. I have both parts. If I didn't have those parts prior to buying the drill press, I might not have bought it. Also, you're right about the production table. It is in very good conditon but has four very small divots. If it had a noticeable "arc of shame" or through and through holes, I would have passed on the drill press all together.
Jim C.
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Are you on OWWM by chance? Yea I saw where you said about the switch and box, but didn't see anything mentioned about the rod and holder.
What other delta machines do you have? If you ever want the dimensions for the switch rod let me know. I could take some dims off mine if need be. Are you on OWWM by chance? Yea I saw where you said about the switch and box, but didn't see anything mentioned about the rod and holder.
Yes, I visit OWWM frequently. It's a great website!
Since I don't know anything about drill presses besides insert bit and pull lever.. what is table elevation and why would I want it?
Also, I see the table on this is solid. All the other presses I have owned have slots in them...of course I never knew what they were for either until I just got a freebie Craftsman milling table that can bolt into the slots.
I still may go grab this tomorrow. Couldn't grab it before as I didn't have any help to load it before.
On the larger presses, the tables get to be very heavy. You don't want to be struggling with having to move a table up and down the column, or randomly dropping if the clamp releases. Thus the manufactures include a screw or gear type mechanism that allows you to raise and lower the table with a crank.
That is called a production table. It was designed to have a jig setup for production drilling of the same part over and over. Usually the jig itself was heavy enough to prevent the part from rotating so those tables typically don't have slots for clamps or the like. With that they can be kinda a PITA for general shop work as the clamping options can be tricky at times.
They also have a trough around the perimeter to catch flood coolant.
It is a very good press, just check it over thoroughly. Be very careful loading and unloading. If it falls over it WILL hurt something. They are very top heavy and just overall heavy.
When I moved mine I removed the motor (slides out easily), then slide the head and table down as far as they can go, then put it in my friends truck. Don't think of trying to transport it standing upright like that. Again VERY top heavy.
Hope that helps
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All I know about checking anything is plug it is and see if it turns on? Any funny noises? Ok, it's good.
I just do general occasional drilling of stuff, so honestly even my old cheap benchtop drillpress serves the purpose.. but I like old stuff and this is a cool big old metal thing!
So, just throwing this on my trailer and putting a few tie down straps around it won't suffice?
OK:
so what chuck is is on it????
if its a Jacobs 3/4"-5/8" "Ball Bearing Super Chuck" its worth every penny
if it has a 1" one.....the chuck alone/no arbor is knocking on $500
I use Super Chucks or Albrechts period
except on my jeweler's lathe.....they don't make them that small
so what chuck is is on it????
if its a Jacobs 3/4"-5/8" "Ball Bearing Super Chuck" its worth every penny
if it has a 1" one.....the chuck alone/no arbor is knocking on $500
I use Super Chucks or Albrechts period
except on my jeweler's lathe.....they don't make them that small
Corsair4360
Well-known member
Drill presses, a short story. I found a 6speed Rockwell in the paper 20+ years ago for $150. I called and went to purchase it. Turned out it was a Rockwell 6x6. I knew it was a good drill press, and found out over the years how good it is. It has six pulley speeds, and 6" quill travel. Very heavy, and it could use a table lift, the table is large, but not a production table like the original poster.
From what I can tell drill presses seem to be priced based upon the quill travel, overall build, and the speed control (variable speed higher). A good drill press weighs 300 plus pounds, and has a large table that can be positioned at varying angles to the quill (adjustable).
From what I can tell drill presses seem to be priced based upon the quill travel, overall build, and the speed control (variable speed higher). A good drill press weighs 300 plus pounds, and has a large table that can be positioned at varying angles to the quill (adjustable).