Delta 17" Floor Standing Drill Press

[Smiles79]

Found another drill press I'm interested in. I believe it is a Delta Rockwell 17". The seller wants $200 and lives 6.5 hours away.

From what I can tell these are great old machines. Feedback would be appreciated!

https://imgur.com/52F48nQ

 

[slowtwitch73]

I have one and love it. 200 bucks yes.... 13 hrs of driving/gas not so much.

 

[bigmaq]

Production table is good (this is the larger version). Condition of table top? It's missing handle knobs. It's fair for $200. 13 hours is a whole tank of gas though.

 

[lafester]

Personally I don't like the production table since there is nothing to clamp on to. Return spring assembly is gone, handle knobs are gone. Badge looks nice which is kind of rare. Has a newer motor. The large vise looks like a good one. Overall clean and not abused. Price is about $300 less then the going rate in my area so I would grab it if interested. My limit was always under 5 hrs one way though so I could get back at a reasonable time.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Do this and condition of table is non issue and you can clamp whatever you like on it.

 

[Whitworth]

3 phase or single phase ?

 

[Jim C.]

I bought one several years ago and finally restored it about four years ago. It’s built like a tank and sees a lot of use in my shop.

 

[Smiles79]

Thanks everyone! I think I've decided that's too long of a drive, which makes me sad because this thing is sweet

 

[Packard V8]

Agree, the Delta 17" DP is a great home shop unit and $200 is a steal deal.

Agree, 6.5 hours is too far to drive for a DP. Keep looking; they're around.

That one has a MT2 spindle, which is not my preference for home shop use. Look for the JT33 spindle which directly mount the chuck next to the bearings, if possible.

jack vines

 

[Smiles79]

Agree, the Delta 17" DP is a great home shop unit and $200 is a steal deal.

Agree, 6.5 hours is too far to drive for a DP. Keep looking; they're around.

That one has a MT2 spindle, which is not my preference for home shop use. Look for the JT33 spindle which directly mount the chuck next to the bearings, if possible.

jack vines

How can you tell the difference in the spindle?

 

[slowtwitch73]

Look at Jim c's then look at the one you posted.

MT spindles hangs down quite far.

 

[Packard V8]

Most every home shop DP with a MT2 spindle will be found using an adapter to mount a 1/2" chuck. The additional length below the bearings increases the runout. If one is to use a chuck, better it is mounted directly on a JT33 taper spindle directly below the bearings.

jack vines

 

[lafester]

Of course if you have different chucks you like to use (or chucks that don't fit jt33) then mt2 is the way.
Delta even makes it easy to swap spindles if you want both... Personally my jt33 spindle stays in the drawer.

 

[Packard V8]

Of course if you have different chucks you like to use (or chucks that don't fit jt33) then mt2 is the way.
Delta even makes it easy to swap spindles if you want both... Personally my jt33 spindle stays in the drawer.

Agree, having multiple spindles is the best way to go.

For me, wanting maximum accuracy, when I measure runout at the tool cutting edge, the additional length of the MT2 plus adapter plus chuck is always significantly greater than with the JT33 spindle and the chuck mounted directly. Your results may vary.

jack ivnes

 

[Smiles79]

Thanks everyone for the information. Bummed that it's a little too far away.


If anyone is interested, I started this thread trying to ID a press that is much closer to me"4

Drill Press ID

First of all, I hope I'm not annoying anyone with all these posts. Apparently I'm into old machinery, and apparently I don't know anything about them. This press is for sale for $150, but I know he'd come down to at least $100. He says it doesn't have a brand name on it but that it came out of...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[dwall174]

If one is to use a chuck, better it is mounted directly on a JT33 taper spindle directly below the bearings.

The problem with that on the older Deltas is being able to find one with the JT33 stub-arbor.

I looked for quite a while, but never found one!
My remedy to the issue was to have a arbor made with a 5/8-16 male thread so I can mount a drill chuck up-close as you mentioned.

Doug

 

[dwall174]

Delta even makes it easy to swap spindles if you want both..

Agree, having multiple spindles is the best way to go.

I also agree, having two spindles works out nice.

I have both style spindles for my 17" Delta & 20" Walker Turner drill presses.
I don't believe Walker Turner ever made a stub arbor for the 20" units?
I had an extra MT#2 arbor for my 20" WT, so I had it machined to a 3/4" 16 thread to fit a 3/4" capacity drill chuck.

Doug

 

[slowtwitch73]

You should contact the guy and see if he will happen to be heading your way or part way and meet up. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I have had a few deals work out like that where distance seemed insurmountable.

Often folks will also transport stuff to make some gas money... I had a guy bring a canoe from Wyoming that way. There is a certain amount of trust involved..

 

[Smiles79]

You should contact the guy and see if he will happen to be heading your way or part way and meet up. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I have had a few deals work out like that where distance seemed insurmountable.

Often folks will also transport stuff to make some gas money... I had a guy bring a canoe from Wyoming that way. There is a certain amount of trust involved..

Great idea, and I have told him to let me know if he ever makes his way a little closer.