Help identifying Rockwell drill press

[Bhudie]

Hello,

I have been watching for a drill press on my local craigslist for a while and came across this one for $250 CAD. I was hoping someone might be able to chime in on what it is and if it's a desirable drill press.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Hard to tell. If it has 6 steps in the pulley, it is the Rockwell delta 15” 6+6 version, which means six speed and six inches of quill travel. If so, buy it if it is in good condition.

 

[Bhudie]

Thanks tool_scrounge, appreciate the help and quick response!

I'll message the seller and ask some questions. It also had this image which I think may imply only 3 speeds. But I'll ask for more details none the less.

 

[Roberts210]

The motor is 1140 rpm, so that's good. I have the same motors on my Rockwell, dual gang 6+6. It appears to have the 3-spoke handle which I think is much easier to use than the single rod. Given the height of the belt guard, I'm thinking it must have 6-speeds. Please let us know. If it needs anything, lots of guys here can help you with advice.

 

[Bhudie]

Thanks Roberts210,

I'll reply with answers when he gets back to me.

And thanks for the offers of support.

-Aaron

 

[tool_scrounge]

Thanks tool_scrounge, appreciate the help and quick response!

I'll message the seller and ask some questions. It also had this image which I think may imply only 3 speeds. But I'll ask for more details none the less.

They never made a 3 speed drill press that I know of. But the 290rpm makes me thing it is a 6+6 with the slow speed motor. Great for drilling in metal. I personally would be in a truck driving over vs. asking questions and I already own one

 

[Bhudie]

Loud and clear. Lol. Thanks guys.

And if it is what you think it is, I'm right to assume 250 cdn is a good price as long as it runs? (That's about 185 USD.)

And are there any things I should look for that are deal breakers? I wasn't looking for a full restore project but I'm not opposed to one... Just want to know if there's anything that would stop you guys in your tracks before you bought it.

 

[tool_scrounge]

unless is it completely destroyed the parts would sell for more than $185 USD

- does it run smoothly and quiet? Do not worry about belt noise, cheap to replace.
- put a drill in. Does it wobble when running?
- are the pulleys damaged?

 

[Bhudie]

I confirmed it's 6 speeds. And he said that it's a 16 inch swing (he measured 8 inches from column to centre, I figure this could be a bit less and is a 15" actually)

Last question before I go get it... How concerned should I be about the "peace sign" logo?

Any way to verify if it was an earlier 70s production? Or later when they went off shore?

 

[Davefr]

Loud and clear. Lol. Thanks guys.

And if it is what you think it is, I'm right to assume 250 cdn is a good price as long as it runs? (That's about 185 USD.)

And are there any things I should look for that are deal breakers? I wasn't looking for a full restore project but I'm not opposed to one... Just want to know if there's anything that would stop you guys in your tracks before you bought it.

I wouldn't own a DP without table lift but we all have different needs. Other than that, it looks like a solid machine at a good price.

 

[RPH]

Just get it. Use it, love it. At 250 cad it’s a good deal.

 

[Roberts210]

Ditto what RPH says. Just go get it!

 

[Bhudie]

Thanks Guys, appreciate all the help. The press is now in my garage!

Looks like it's indeed a 15-665 so I'm pretty happy with it. I believe it was built in 1981 from the serial number, so now I'm going to look into all that I should check on it to make sure it's running smoothly given it was from the value engineering years. Also going to start studying the restoration/tuning up process.

Pretty excited with the new project though.

Thanks all for your help.

-Aaron

 

[Roberts210]

You won't be sorry you got it. I like 'em so much I got 2.

 

[aquinob]

Thats a good basic Delta press. Half horse motor, solid construction. It should have better than average spindle travel IIRC. Parts are a bit hard to find, but if it isnt missing any then the only thing that might need replacing are bearings which are common.

 

[Bhudie]

One more question...

Do you guys know if there are table lifts that can be easily retrofit to these machines? I think I'm going to go for a full restoration when I get some time free, and if there is a retrofit, I would want to do it then while I have it all apart.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Delta had a production table option that included the table lift as it was 50 lbs (23 Kg) heavier than the stock table. Below are some links to brochures regarding. I purchased an as-new production table 8 years ago but still have not gotten amount to installing it. The production tables are not very common on the used market. I worry I will miss having the center hole of the original table though.

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/1141/1701.pdf

The brochure below shows the production table exploded diagram, but further down it shows the counter balance table lifting option. Prior to finding the production table, I bought the pulley assembly off of the 15-030 counterbalance and was going to use a steel rod in the drill press hollow post as a counter balance instead of the spring.

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/1141/1462.pdf

lots of good information on vintagemachinery.org

 

[Bhudie]

Thanks Again tool_scrounge, I'll do some digging on that site!

 

[tool_scrounge]

I should note why I wanted to use a counterbalance instead of the OEM spring for making lifting the table easier. A counterbalance is constant force and can have a longer range of adjustment. The spring force varies depending on table location. Should you want to go the counterbalance approach, the factory pulley assembly is not too hard to find Used.

 

[sparkness]

based on the motor tag, it was built in 1977, Made in USA. Great drill press