Old Rockwell Delta drill press

[tkmitchell]

I am looking for my first drill press and came across an this old delta. Trying to find more information about it to determine what is a reasonable price to offer.

Looks in good condition. Runs good. No obvious bad sounds. Couldn't check runout, but did not see any visible bit wobble.

Appears to have over 5 inches of quill travel.

Floor standing model. Didn't measure distance to bit, so not sure of size.

Could not find model number.
Serial number is 108-4982 which i believe indicates built in 1953.
Label says made in Milwaukee, which means 1952 or earlier.

Has a 1hp dual voltage motor and it is currently set up for 110.
1725 rpm on motor label.

Any obvious parts I should consider replacing, or just take it down and clean it good?

It has two sets of pulleys with 5 sizes on each one. How do you determine how many speeds it has? Or what they may be.

Supposedly original stuff. Told it was bought new by this guys relative and used in a shop. While old and has been used, it has been taken care of since I was able to turn it on and test it.


Really newbie questions, so I would appreciate any information. Don't typically buy used stuff, cause I don't want to spend my time fixing the tools. But in this case, this particular tool (drill press) for some reason I am drawn to one of these older devices.
Seems like while older and without bells/whistles, they are still better than what you
can get for the same money new.

For people looking for this older stuff here is something else I have an eye on. Seems really interesting.

http://irsauctions.com/popups/bidde...ction=DIS8QOOKWU8X3T6U8WK3MOPFFUMPTC&id=17274

 

[Outlawmws]

Pics would help, Delta Rockwell made a LOT of DP's.

What is the distance from the column to the center of the chuck? That is a Key identifier.

 

[bluebolt]

For people looking for this older stuff here is something else I have an eye on. Seems really interesting.

http://irsauctions.com/popups/bidde...ction=DIS8QOOKWU8X3T6U8WK3MOPFFUMPTC&id=17274

I think that one is 3 phase so consider you will need a converter to run that.

 

[tkmitchell]

Here are 2 pictures. Not the best. I am waiting to hear back on the measurement.

Just heard back. It is 8.5 inches from column to center, would that make it a 17inch dp?

 

[zkling]

That is a very nice machine, but a bit of a goofy factory setup. It is a later (sheet metal belt guard) Delta 17" wood worker (JT33 taper) model drill press. A very stout and capable machine. I have an older (1940) one. What is strange about that one is that typically the ones with production tables came with MT2 spindles compared to the not as common JT33 that is on that press.

Fair price? um... well. They are very nice machines. Having said that I wouldn't go over $250-$300 for a super clean one, which that isn't, if it ran very well and needed nothing to be used.

Kinda hard to tell from the pics if the table is full of holes (decrease value). A production table like that is nice, but no where near as versatile as a standard table with 4 slots and a center hole, plus pivot. For me $200 if I really NEEDED a drill press and they were not common around me. Around or under $150 and I pick that up as long as it didn't have any major issues.

I'm pretty familiar with the 17" delta, so if you have any ?'s, just ask.

 

[Packard V8]

That's about as good as a homeowner DP gets. I'd buy it if the price is right. What is right? No way to know without more detail.

1. You didn't check runout. That's the key determinant.
2. Condition of chuck and does it have the correct key?
3. Delta bearings are not generic. They are expensive and hard to find. Any noise or looseness?
4. Is the return spring working?
5. Two five-step pulleys makes it better for woodworking than large hole metal working. How often do you drill 1/2" and larger holes in steel?

jack vines

 

[Outlawmws]

Pretty much what Jack said, although I'm not sure I'd class a 17" as a homeowner DP, especially with the production table that one has on it. It would be bottom rung for a true production Class DP.

I have a 15" Rockwell, and it was also a 5 speed. I adapted a treadmill motor onto it and now its completely variable speed. It was a bit of a project, but I'm pleased with the results.

 

[scw1991]

That is a Delta DP220 drill press. All the info you could ever want is located at www.vintagemachinery.org

I've had the later model which was name plated a 17-600. It was a true beast weighing in at around 450 lbs.

Over the past 10 years I've restored dozens of pieces of Delta/Rockwell woodworking/metalworking machinery. You can get bearings from Accurate Bearing. They are unique as the bearings have an extended inner race but otherwise dimensionally the same as your standard 6203, 6204, 6205 bearing.

There really isn't much you need to do with a drill press like this. They were built to outlast you and your kids.

This one you've pictured has the optional production table which was significantly larger than the standard 11" square table. The slotted production table did not come along till the 60's if not mistaken.

 

[zkling]

That is a Delta DP220 drill press.

I don't think so. Look again at the head features. Definitaly a 17" machine. The DP 220 was a 14" machine and had a "window" for depth measurement directly on the quill which made it pretty distinctive. Also the base is that of a 17" machine.

http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=11577

 

[scw1991]

Zkling,

Oops, you are absolutely right, it's a DP-600 or simply a 17", not a DP-220. My mistake.

 

[zkling]

No worries As soon as you mentioned accurate bearing, I knew you know what you are talking about with these machines, just got the numbers mixed up. "accurate"--> the OWWM secret handshake.

I had a DP220, they are a good solid press. However the 17" makes the DP220 look dang near portable in comparison. I can't imagine what a production table for a 17" weighs. The production table on my rockwell 15" is one heavy SOB, I can't imagine a 17" version. I wonder what pulley set the machine in question has? Typically the production tables were equipped with the slower speed pulleys and MT2 spindle, but with the JT33 and production table I wonder if it has the high or low speed set.

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

I picked up this Rockwell at a garage sale for $250 it is 3 phase but I had built a 3phase rotory converter already and it just was plug and play after moving this 600 lb or so drill press.

 

[454ragtop]

That's a great drill press, have a few of them myself. Easily worth $300 If it has little runout, sounds good, clean table, etc. The cosmetics are easy to fix, if desired. Table looks good in the pic near as I can tell. As to the stub spindle, if a MT spindle was desired, could probably swap with someone on OWWM, wood workers like that type to attach a mortising setup. There is enough demand that a member makes and sells repos of that spindle. Lift the belt cover and see if the front pulley just fits inside the cover, or is considerably smaller, the bigger pulley is the more desirable slow speed set. Check to make sure the table raiser works as it should also.
Good luck, Jim

 

[bczygan]

I got one of those for free.
OP...how much is the seller asking?

 

[Hot Chop shop]

Hey can I piggy back on this thread????

I have been looking for a drill press for awhile and was looking for a jet or delta as a bench top on my local craiglist... And really like look of the vintage Rockwell machines... I came across this one on ebay and I was curious if you could tell me if it looks like it would be a good fit?
It's local so I wouldn't have to deal with $$$ shipping...

In the pics it doesn't have a plug on the cord... I'm guessing that is an easy fix with some YouTube videos and researching a few threads here... But does it work on standard 120V or do these older machines need the larger 220v plugs?

It looks similar to Jack Olsens bench model but seems to have an open top?

Is $300 way to much without knowing if it works or if the chuck has play in it etc. ?

Any advice for this noob is always welcomed.

Thanks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rockwell-13...800?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3585ed68

 

[scw1991]

Hot chop shop,
That is a 3ph motor and would not work on 115v single phase power. That's way too much money to be asking for a drill press in this condition.

 

[zkling]

Not to mention that the drill press is actually a Walker Turner and not a Rockwell/Delta. I like the "comparable one will cost $500" will that come with rust and damaged belt cover as well? Machine sellers that know nothing about machines

 

[Hot Chop shop]

Hot chop shop,
That is a 3ph motor and would not work on 115v single phase power. That's way too much money to be asking for a drill press in this condition.

Not to mention that the drill press is actually a Walker Turner and not a Rockwell/Delta. I like the "comparable one will cost $500" will that come with rust and damaged belt cover as well? Machine sellers that know nothing about machines

This is why I ask the smart kids...

Thanks for the info I have been planning to do my homework on drill presses but this one popped up locally so I didn't have to deal with shipping and I got excited... I am trying to find a balance between the cost of a vintage built to last Drill press that doesn't need too much work and just a decent new model that I know works...

 

[Packard V8]

A rusty, commercially abused 3-phase like that might be worth $100, but no way $300.

jack vines

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

A rusty, commercially abused 3-phase like that might be worth $100, but no way $300.

jack vines

like a rusted old packered V8

 

[Packard V8]

like a rusted old packered V8

Ed, just to clarify, my comment was directed at the overpriced $300 W-T and not your steal deal$250 Rockwell.

Or, are you just trying to pick a fight ;>)

jack vines

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

Ed, just to clarify, my comment was directed at the overpriced $300 W-T and not your steal deal$250 Rockwell.

Or, are you just trying to pick a fight ;>)

jack vines

to be honest with you I just came in the house for a minute while working on tearing out the flooring in my 5th wheel with 100 degree and 31% RH weather and was beat and thought that referred to my drill press. I love that thing, I had been looking for that type with the variable speed and big table for years. 2nd only to my smaller Burke mill and better for general purpose work. I also have many surface rust and some a little more old vehicle projects waiting my attention. no fight intended don't even have time for that.

 

[Outlawmws]

Ed, just to clarify, my comment was directed at the overpriced $300 W-T and not your steal deal$250 Rockwell.

Or, are you just trying to pick a fight ;>)

jack vines

I figured he was just trying to zing you!

I though *** was pretty good!

 

[nate456789]

Hey guys I know this is an old thread but it was helpful on figuring out my old rockwell delta DP.
I think mine is a '53 or '54. looks all original and in good shape except it sounds like I have a bad bearing in the electric motor. still works fine but noisy.
Anyone have any ideas where I can find a replacement bearing?
I would love to keep this motor. It is a 120v / 230v and it strong other than the failing bearing.
My DP SN is 111-1900
The motor number is 82-910
3/4 HP 1725 RPM
Am I correct that this is a 17"?
Thanks for any help!!

 

[Kenwc]

You'll need to get the number off the bearing. Or if you can post more data about the motor we can probably identify the bearing. A pic of the motor and the motor data plate would help. I restore these old machines and I always buy bearings from "Lynne" at "accurate bearing". It looks like you posted a pic but I can't see it.

 

[nate456789]

Thanks for getting back to me. I tried sharing some pictures of it.
I will try again with dropbox.

Here is the Motor faceplate:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7oic37a1erer0jo/Photo%20Jul%2020%2C%209%2048%2048%20AM.jpg

The drill press:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ap2q6r3227wf1ab/Photo%20Jul%2020%2C%209%2050%2005%20AM.jpg

DP Model Plate:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j60vcsqh0hxgz9v/Photo%20Jul%2020%2C%209%2049%2033%20AM.jpg

FacePlate:

 

[Outlawmws]

I can't see the pics either use the tools to upload the pics to GJ; dropbox sux

 

[nate456789]

OK I think I got it figured out now.
Let me know if you still can't see the pictures.
Thanks

 

[454ragtop]

Yep, Looks like a Delta 17" DP with the production table. Excellent DP, have a few of them myself. Should be able to replace the bearings no problem. Might be better off asking over on OWWM.org , those guys eat and sleep Deltas, someone there can probably tell you what bearings you will need before you even take it apart.
Good luck, Jim

 

[bobadame]

I have that same drill press. It's worth what ever a new drill press of that size is worth and probably more as long as the spindle is not bent. Not much else to go wrong that can't be easily fixed or replaced. Mine was built in 1927 and is still working perfectly.

 

[nate456789]

I have that same drill press. It's worth what ever a new drill press of that size is worth and probably more as long as the spindle is not bent. Not much else to go wrong that can't be easily fixed or replaced. Mine was built in 1927 and is still working perfectly.

Very cool. It was my dads, he worked for the railroads in the machine shop.
The wiring was roached. Whoever tried to fix it didn't know what they were doing. So I assumed he got a good deal on it when they replaced it.
I rewired it with new from the motor to the outlet last night and it fired right up. Its been sitting for years. I am sure everyone assumed the motor was shot.
I don't think anything is bent on it. It drills a straight hole and it is quiet except for the bearing on the top of the motor.

I will try to post something on OWWM.org and see if I can get some leads on fixing the motor.
Thanks!

 

[nate456789]

Yep, Looks like a Delta 17" DP with the production table. Excellent DP, have a few of them myself. Should be able to replace the bearings no problem. Might be better off asking over on OWWM.org , those guys eat and sleep Deltas, someone there can probably tell you what bearings you will need before you even take it apart.
Good luck, Jim

Thanks for the tip!

 

[pmaston]

I just got a very nice Rockwell Delta Drill Press, but I can't find any reference to it, my model number does not come up anywhere, like one thing I like to have is an owners and parts manual, the model number is a 115-8994, it reminds me of a Craftsman number, but it is on a very clean label on the head of the drill press, it indeed says 115-8994, any help would be appreciated, thanks you very much.......Peter

 

[454ragtop]

Welcome Peter. Post up some pics so we know what you're working with. Most likely someone here will be able to ID it.

 

[pmaston]

Thank you for your email, I can only post a picture on the weekend, but I just realized that the model number was the serial number, so now I have to find the model number......thank you again.........Peter

 

[Kody85]

Well if every ones showing their delta Rockwell. Mines yes a radial and my step dad got it for me with a 80-90 craftsman bandsaw. No clue on any of the details but she drills like a champ. Never rotated it , I've tried haha and it's not seized just I'm missing something . It's got a ford shifter. Keeps it from breaking down