Info about a Delta Drill Press

[jmvar]

I am going to check out an old delta drill press this week. The owner can't seem to tell me anything about it. Can you guys tell what model this is?

I am looking for a drill press to use in my garage that will drill up to 3/8" plate hot rolled steel. Can I slow this thing down enough to do that?

serial #: 5-4451

Pic:

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[zkling]

Old Delta 14" bench top DP220 from the late 30's early 40's. 3/8" holes in steel is abouts it practical limit, really more of a 1/4" and under machine. If you plan on a heavy diet of 3/8" and above holes, find something larger. Not sure which pulley set is on that one, they came in different speed options.

 

[Handforged]

Yes, you can slow it down enough, but sometimes have to add a third pulley to do it.

 

[Packard V8]

I am looking for a drill press to use in my garage that will drill up to 3/8" plate hot rolled steel.

The thickness of the plate is less of a factor than the diameter of the holes you plan on drilling in it. What diameter holes do you expect to produce?

I've drilled hundreds of 1/2" and larger diameter holes in steel with a Delta 220 DP.

1. Sharp drill bits.
2. Correct RPM for the drill diameter and material being drilled.
3. Clamp the workpiece securely.
4. Correct belt tension.
5. Enough horsepower. I use a 3/4hp on mine, but 1/2hp is plenty for most operations.
6. Most important, the slow speed intermediate pulley setup.

I'd pay $100 for the typical Delta 14" DP. I've bought a couple needing work for $35-50.

jack vines

 

[454ragtop]

The "retirement" light alone is worth about $75., so you probably won't get hurt even at $150. if no problems. If much more than that, probably better off looking for a more robust machine.
HTH, Jim

 

[theknurl]

look for a floor model......bench drill presses really limit you

 

[jmvar]

Thanks for all the input.

I should say that 3/8" plate is the upper limit of what I plan to drill on occasion. I will be drilling .120 wall tubing (round and square) regularly. Probably 3/8" holes max, 1/4" regularly.

Where can I find the pulleys to slow this thing down? I want to have a price in my head when I go to take a look. The guys wants $200 for it but I am sure I can get the price reduced. I would like to be at $150 with the price of the pulleys included.

Thanks again for all the help.

Edit: took a quick look on ebay and I see pulleys are in the $20-50 range.

 

[WWIIjeep]

I should say that 3/8" plate is the upper limit of what I plan to drill on occasion. I will be drilling .120 wall tubing (round and square) regularly. Probably 3/8" holes max, 1/4" regularly.

All of that is within the capacity of those old 14" Delta drill presses.

Where can I find the pulleys to slow this thing down? I want to have a price in my head when I go to take a look. The guys wants $200 for it but I am sure I can get the price reduced. I would like to be at $150 with the price of the pulleys included.

Edit: took a quick look on ebay and I see pulleys are in the $20-50 range.

That one currently has the high-speed pulley. The lowest spindle speed is about 700 RPM.

Ideally, you'd want what Delta called a "slo-speed" model. The lowest spindle speed on those is about 350 RPM. In order to convert that one, you'll need the slo-speed spindle pulley and the slo-speed front pulley guard, because the slo-speed pulley won't fit inside the high-speed pulley guard that is currently on that drill press.

 

[Packard V8]

That one currently has the high-speed pulley. The lowest spindle speed is about 700 RPM.

Ideally, you'd want what Delta called a "slo-speed" model. The lowest spindle speed on those is about 350 RPM. In order to convert that one, you'll need the slo-speed spindle pulley and the slo-speed front pulley guard, because the slo-speed pulley won't fit inside the high-speed pulley guard that is currently on that drill press.

Agree with all the above.

There are two slow speed versions. The one mentioned above uses two larger diameter pulleys on a 1725 RPM motor.

The other version adds a third pulley mounted in the column and two belts. It's a PITA to change speeds with the old "220" (The 220 is just the part number of the head casting.) Later Delta 14"s have a quick-release for the motor mount, which makes changing speeds more convenient, but still not as much so as the later offshore ribbed belt versions.

If you can't find the Delta center pulley setup, if you're a bit handy make your own from a readily available Congress 4-step pulley, bronze bushing, 6" of 1/2" shaft and a piece of tubing. a minute with a welder and good to go.

jack vines

 

[Sheriff Roscoe]

If you really want to get fancy, look at a VFD/3-phase motor or treadmill DC motor/controller setup. Then you can slow the RPM's waaay down....and waaay up too without a bunch of pulleys

 

[jmvar]

Great info, lot's to look into.

Does anyone know the total height of this beast? I want to make sure that if I buy it I can fit it in the back of my truck.

Thanks

 

[Packard V8]

It's a bench mount, so separated from the bench not more than 3' tall. I loaded one into the trunk of my car by myself. If it comes with the bench, then depends but about 6'6"

jack vines

 

[454ragtop]

I'd raise the table as high as possible, and turn it to the side away from the down feed handle. Then you can safely lay it over on its side, supported by the table and base. I've moved many drill presses this way.
Good luck, Jim

 

[nine4gmc]

Just be safe, they are TOP heavy!

 

[jmvar]

Thanks guys, nothing like having a group of drill press consultants holding my hand through the process.

If I like what I see I will buy it tomorrow. I will report back.

 

[jmvar]

Took a look and it's in pretty good shape except that the chuck is welded to the shaft.

It also needs a return spring.

I checked the runout on the chuck and it's .004 so I could run it like that until I decide tto fix the chuck.

I offered the guy 150 and he is going to think about it.

What will i need to replace if I want to put the chuck on correctly?

Thanks

 

[zkling]

Took a look and it's in pretty good shape except that the chuck is welded to the shaft.

It also needs a return spring.

I checked the runout on the chuck and it's .004 so I could run it like that until I decide tto fix the chuck.

I offered the guy 150 and he is going to think about it.

What will i need to replace if I want to put the chuck on correctly?

Thanks

Seriously as in actually, purposely welded? Not just stuck? If so you should have offered $50 if that and they guy should be grateful. It's going to need a new spindle and chuck to fix that ******* repair. Plus sounds like a return spring. That thing is SO not worth $150 in that condition.

 

[Packard V8]

Needing a chuck, spindle and return spring, to me, it's a $25-35 pile of parts. On the other hand, eBay scavengers would part it out and ask $25-35 for each piece of it.

jack vines