Which drill press would you keep

[chrislehr]

I kind of want to reclaim space and while the footprint is small i have a hard time justifying two.

The pm 1150a is from 1993 but suffered some neglect and a fire.

The rockwell 15-665 is from 1973 and was unprofessionally refinished by me.

Deltas in features include:
Pm is reeves drives and more truly variable. Rockwell is a belt change

I have a yet unused mortise kit for the rockwell

The pm has the table adjustment and a cleeeean table

The rockwell table has a few holes as its from a school.



What say yall?

 

[ken w.]

For me that's a tough choice. I do like the Delta , however the PM may be more versatile as you only have to turn the handle to change speeds.

 

[lis2323]

If you have difficulty deciding which to keep, put them BOTH up for sale. Keep the one that doesn't sell.

If you end up keeping the Rockwell add a mechanical implement trailer jack for table adjustment.

 

[Buckgnarly]

PM for ease of speed adjustment... would love to find one some day.

 

[JHuston]

I own four Delta drill presses ( a 1952 17", a 1937 14" and a twin head gang drill ), and I'd still keep the Powermatic- it's just a better drill press all around.
-James Huston

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Just whichever works better as it is an important tool

 

[Lelandwelds]

So, if you have to run out of a burning building and can only carry one which do you take? Wait, what?

I don't think I understand the question.

 

[txvwnut]

I’d keep the powermatic.

 

[chrislehr]

So, if you have to run out of a burning building and can only carry one which do you take? Wait, what?

I don't think I understand the question.

Technically the left one already came out of a burning building if it's not entirely obvious from the picture.

 

[cgrutt]

Powermatic if it were me no doubt.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Hands down the Delta. I've got 8 Delta woodworking machines in my little shop. Four from the '40s and one each from the '50s, '60's, '70s and '90s. But like JHuston said above..."why not keep 'em both"? That's probably what I'd do. One of these days I'm gonna sell some machines. Really I am.

 

[pepi]

I'd suggest you keep the one you like the best

 

[Farleyfan]

I like the PM because of the variable speed control.
Does either one have more travel than the other ?
There both nice machines and id have trouble letting either go !

 

[BuffettFan]

Is one more rigid than the other? Are you concerned the PM suffered yet unseen damage in the fire?
All things equal, I'd keep the Powermatic.

 

[bczygan]

"Which drill press would you keep?"

Is that even a question?????

I have 6.

Bill

 

[lis2323]

"Which drill press would you keep?"

Is that even a question?????

I have 6.

Bill

Okay, Bill's answer wins! Here's a few of mine:

 

[Packard V8]

For me that's a tough choice. I do like the Delta , however the PM may be more versatile as you only have to turn the handle to change speeds.

Yes, Reeves drives are wonderful; until they aren't. When a Reeves drive goes TU, it can cost the earth to repair, if the parts are even available.

jack vines

 

[Todd.Brock]

I agree with Packard. Use the PM until it breaks and then curse your choice for not selling it.

My Clausing had Reeves drive issues. AP_Mech fixed them all for me. It will stay in the family at least until I go **** up.

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

I'd keep both. You have 2 good quality ones. I have one for woodworking another bigger one with variable speed for metal and a smaller hobbie size in the basement. BCD.

 

[dutchgray]

I would keep the Rockwell, Reeves drives do fail, if by chance the column are the same dia I would swap the heads round so you could keep the table lift.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I'd keep them both, but that's just me

 

[larry4406]

I'd keep them both, but that's just me

Same here

 

[JHuston]

There's something to be said for the multiple drill press ( or grinder, or sander) idea.
Here's my woodworking setup,

The left head does the drilling of round holes in wood, whereas the right head is in charge of the square holes, while in the metal working area,

The 17-210 holds court with the occasional assist from the 14" Slo-Speed ( Delta's first drill press for metal).

-James Huston

 

[Com_VC]

I'd keep the Delta and fit a 3 phase motor and VFD for variable speed.

 

[chrislehr]

I'd keep the Delta and fit a 3 phase motor and VFD for variable speed.

Ugh. Worst part is, it came with a 3ph, and I didn't have 220 back then, so I swapped a 110 motor on it. Oh well. Lesson learned, I no longer sell working motors machines came with unless they are a non matching.



So, I should totally restore this lady?

 

[gilbo]

Ugh. Worst part is, it came with a 3ph, and I didn't have 220 back then, so I swapped a 110 motor on it. Oh well. Lesson learned, I no longer sell working motors machines came with unless they are a non matching.



So, I should totally restore this lady?

Just to throw a wrench in this conversation, if you do restore the Delta Homecraft, here is a preview of what is might look like when you are done.

 

[Davefr]

That's a tough one. The PM has a huge advantage with the table lift. IMHO a DP without table lift isn't worth owning.

Otherwise I'd prefer the step pulley Rockwell especially if you VFD it.

I'm not a fan of Reeves style drives. They're noisy, kind of a PIA to adjust and parts range from unobtainium to extremely expensive. Even if you keep the PM I'd still VFD it.

Yea, keep both for now. Use them side by side for awhile and it'll become obvious which you prefer to use.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Yea, keep both for now. Use them side by side for awhile and it'll become obvious which you prefer to use.

This is good advise.

If the Reeves drive pulley is noisey, apply paraffin wax to the edge of the belt per the Powermatic user manual. It does quiet it down. The manuals can bee seen at

Vintagemachiney.org

 

[Motorman55]

Just to throw a wrench in this conversation, if you do restore the Delta Homecraft, here is a preview of what is might look like when you are done.

Nice job on the drill press gilbo. What color/type gray paint did you use on that?

 

[chrislehr]

Nice job on the drill press gilbo. What color/type gray paint did you use on that?

I also want to know this.

I still think the WORST thing about homecrafts is there is no place for a on/off switch really, so every single one is either a regular 110 switch mounted to the cabinet or macguyver'd off the motor mount. Not that it's not a fine spot for the switch to be, but the boring *** normal switch ***** compared to say, a Cutler-Hammer like my Rockwell has.

 

[gilbo]

Nice job on the drill press gilbo. What color/type gray paint did you use on that?

My drill press picture has a more blueish hue to it, because of the light. In person it is actually gray.
Rustoleum Professional high performance enamel
Dark machine gray #7587

 

[chrislehr]

My drill press picture has a more blueish hue to it, because of the light. In person it is actually gray.
Rustoleum Professional high performance enamel
Dark machine gray #7585

Oh good, I have like 20 cans of that. One amazon seller sells it CHEAP, but only allows one can at a time. So for some time, it was my add on item of choice, cause **** that guy's rules.

 

[2mJps]

I would keep both 2 isnt very many. I have 3 and would buy anther if one comes along. Haveing more than one can realy speed up some jobs.

 

[DadsTools]

This was a trick question, right?

 

[exmaxima1]

My drill press picture has a more blueish hue to it, because of the light. In person it is actually gray.
Rustoleum Professional high performance enamel
Dark machine gray #7585
QUOTE]

I believe the part number is 7587. HD sells it for $4.22/can in cases of 6:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ol...otective-Enamel-Spray-Paint-7587838/100144179

That Amazon seller wants $5.53 for it:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LNQ9L0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[My Old Tools]

Sell either one and buy a 17"

 

[gilbo]

My drill press picture has a more blueish hue to it, because of the light. In person it is actually gray.
Rustoleum Professional high performance enamel
Dark machine gray #7585
QUOTE]

I believe the part number is 7587. HD sells it for $4.22/can in cases of 6:

OOPS !!!! You are correct, good to know someone on this board is awake.

 

[chrislehr]

My drill press picture has a more blueish hue to it, because of the light. In person it is actually gray.
Rustoleum Professional high performance enamel
Dark machine gray #7585
QUOTE]

I believe the part number is 7587. HD sells it for $4.22/can in cases of 6:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ol...otective-Enamel-Spray-Paint-7587838/100144179

That Amazon seller wants $5.53 for it:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LNQ9L0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That amazon link is 100% the seller I referred to. Cheap per can but limit of one.

 

[seber]

I also want to know this.

I still think the WORST thing about homecrafts is there is no place for a on/off switch really, so every single one is either a regular 110 switch mounted to the cabinet or macguyver'd off the motor mount. Not that it's not a fine spot for the switch to be, but the boring *** normal switch ***** compared to say, a Cutler-Hammer like my Rockwell has.

In addition to the regular switch I always mount a footswitch in line. That would solve the problem with that unit.

 

[454ragtop]

The other problem with the Homecrafts are bushings, rather than bearings, in the quill. I understand the trick setup is to swap in a DP 220 spindle, though I haven't actually done it myself.
Really tough call on the Powermatic/Delta thing. I've never used a Powermatic Reeves drive, but was never really impressed with the others, including Delta's that I have used. The table raiser is pretty much a must have for me. On the other hand, that is probably one of the best Delta 15" DP's ever made, with 6 speeds, and 6" of quill travel. Decisions, decisions......