Found an old Rockwell. What do you think?

[383 240z]

Yes I have pics but can't post them until Monday. I was heading to a supply shop and saw an odds and ends shop. First room, a bunch of ****, left overs from garage sales ect. I head to the next room, bunch of restaurant equipment. Last room, last time to save the stop. I see off in the back a big radial saw and next to it is this big old Rockwell drill press!! It's a 45-655 serial number 1544982. It's wired for 220v but can be swapped down to 110v. The quill feels pretty tight and it has an infinite variable speed control built into the front of it (factory, not a hack job). He is asking $250 for it. I have no idea if that's a good deal, I have a decent Delta bench top, the Rockwell is a floor unit, so I don't really NEED this press , but it would make a nice addition to my shop. So what do you guys think? Should I pop on this thing? If somebody wants to post the pics send me a PM and I'll email you them (cant post from my phone on here). Keith

 

[framer]

buy it.

 

[A_Pmech]

Sounds interesting...

Should be a model 15-655, like this:

Price seems about average.

 

[383 240z]

A Pmech. After closer examination of my photo you are correct it is indeed a 15-655. Thanks Keith

 

[D.J.]

Why do you guys have problems with sending a picture to your email address? Open your contacts on your phone and just add your email address as you would a phone number into your phone select the picture on your phone and send it to your email account. Thanks D.J.

 

[383 240z]

I have no problems with e-mailing the pics. I can't post them to this web site. Ryan made a nice app for us iPhone guys but it only works on the Jalopy Journal. Keith

 

[383 240z]

Anyway back on topic. Is this a very good press? Is the price good or even fair? Any idea when it may have been built?? Thanks again. Keith

 

[spongerich]

They're solid machines. The variable speed is really nice. I have that feature on my crappy Taiwanese bench top model and it's so much more convenient than screwing with belts and pulleys.

If you can get it for $200 it's a pretty good deal.

 

[evintho]

Here's the pics.........................

 

[spongerich]

That's pretty nice. Looks original and complete. I've seen the lamps sell for $60-$70 alone.

 

[383 240z]

I really don't need this thing, but damn I want it!! I have a good Delta bench mount, it could use some trueing up. However with the extra size and capacity of this one I can do a lot more in my shop (like drilling my own axles). Grrrr I hate it when things like this pop up when I'm busy spending money on the hot rod. I think I'm gonna head over there offer up $150 and go to $200. It's in a REAL depressed town and C notes don't walk thru the door every day. Any more than that I'll bide my time and find another one when u have the extra cash. Keith

 

[DB2]

That's an excellent machine. I have one and wouldn't trade it for anything. It has a 6" quill stroke, which coupled with the variable speed capabilities, makes it an awesome drill press. Delta still sells this drill press in its industrial line...for $4000. Used 15-655s in excellent condition will list for over $1000 at most used equipment dealers.

There are two motor combinations on that drill press - 1/2 hp 1140 rpm and 3/4 hp 1750 rpm. Both were offered in single phase and 3-phase. The 1/2 hp motors give you a lower speed range (300 rpm to 3100 rpm) vs the 3/4 hp (450 rpm to 4500 rpm), which can be useful for woodworking applications.

If it is 3-phase, you can pick up a VFD for around $150 to run it off of, which will give you infinitely variable speed.

Make sure the quill is true and tight...all parts are availabe from Delta but they are $$$$. You'll probably need to replace the belt, it will be around $80. You'll probably want to replace the chuck also...those are around $100 (jacobs 33c). Bearing replacment is not a big deal and new bearings are readily available.

The only knock on the one in your photo is that it doesn't appear to have the rack and pinion table lift mechanism, which was found on the models with the "production" table.

 

[383 240z]

Damn I never noticed that, it has a split sleeve to move the table. I did grab the quill and give it a shake, I feel a very slight movement, I figure the head will need gone over. I was hopeing that it had tapered roller bearings on the quill and they just needed adjusting. Between the belt, the quill play, and the stationary table there is no way I can justify more than $150-175 for this one. Keith

 

[55chevr]

Thats not that old for "an old Rockwell".

 

[mister honey]

The serial number indicates that the drill press was built in Bellefontaine, Ohio in 1972.

Mike

 

[Norcal]

That's an excellent machine. I have one and wouldn't trade it for anything. It has a 6" quill stroke, which coupled with the variable speed capabilities, makes it an awesome drill press. Delta still sells this drill press in its industrial line...for $4000. Used 15-655s in excellent condition will list for over $1000 at most used equipment dealers.

All Current Delta machines w/ the exception of the Unisaw are import tools, worse yet they are ChiCom garbage. Gimme the old Delta/Rockwell tools any day. To the OP, I would go for the drill press....

 

[cnc-me]

The biggest problem with those is the lack of a rack and pinion table elevation.
My high school had these, and the kids were always dropping the table.
The one in the wood shop, had been welded numerous times,
from hitting the base at high speeds, and the one in the metal shop didn't fair much better.
Otherwise, they are a nice machine.

 

[gorilla]

We had a Delta drill press like that one in the electronics shop at my old employer. It was rigged up with a couple of pulleys and a counter weight to make moving the table up and down easier. You may want to try doing the same thing.

 

[jamesemery728]

My 2 cents. If you think this is worth $150 - $175 then it is worth $200 - $250. How many of these do you see for sale? When was the last time you saw one for sale? You are never sorry for the ones you bought, only the ones you did not buy.

 

[Zrexxer]

To the OP, I would go for the drill press....

SInce he was asking about it 4 months ago, I suspect he either bought it or the opportunity has passed.

If I'd have seen it I'd have knocked him down and stepped on his head on my way to hand the seller the cash.