This drill press any good?

[BigChevy17]

Ive been looking for an older drill press for my home fab shop and found this;

http://orlando.craigslist.org/tls/3814098734.html

Anybody know anything about these?
Would it be good for general metal fab?
Anything I should know?

Thanks

 

[nine4gmc]

Here is a bench version I restored and I have the floor model with production table waiting resto, that's a great dp and a pretty good price, imo. I would get it.

 

[larry_g]

That is a good one I think. I have the same one and it has served me for years. A bit funky on the motor sliding to tighten the belt but it works. Also the top rattles as the retainer system is weak. I wouldn't want to do anything over 1/2" on it though as the min speed is a bit high for larger steel work. If a majority of your work is 3/8" and smaller then its great.

lg
no enat sig line

 

[John Timmins]

BUY IT ! I have a 1959 version and paid $100 for it. I posted pictures on here and some posters said they go for $200, plus you get a vise which mine did not have.

After you compare it to some of the other stuff that's out there new you will wish you'd bought this.

BTW, I live in the Daytona area and look at Craigslist tools daily. I never see these Delta Rockwell drill presses. The guy I bought mine from brought it down from Wisconsin.

Let us know if you bought it so you can compare yours to mine and the other posters.

 

[zkling]

Ive been looking for an older drill press for my home fab shop and found this;

http://orlando.craigslist.org/tls/3814098734.html

Anybody know anything about these?
Would it be good for general metal fab?
Anything I should know?

Thanks

Yea it is a good press. I have one but it is the metal working model with slow speed pulleys and production table, technically it is on loan to a friend right now.

A couple things to note on that one.....

1.) It a appears to be missing a few parts, like the original table lock handle, the depth stop nuts, and the knobs for the quill handle (the thing you pull to operate the press).

2.) That looks like the wood working or standard model. It has the basic table which is at a fixed position and cannot be rotated. On the plus side the table does not have a bunch of holes in it.

3.) Going off of #2, since that appears to be the wood working model, it probably has the high speed or standard pulley set. So you are looking at ~650RPM minimum. That would be good for about a 3/8" dia hole in steel.

Overall it is a very good drill press and in good working condition with no broken parts is a steal at that price. Just keep in mind the limitations. If you intend on putting 1" dia holes in steel, that is not the press for you. But for general work it would be a great machine.

This would be a step up

http://orlando.craigslist.org/tls/3809085626.html

One thing to keep in mind about those VS machines. If the parts are worn, they can be VERY expensive to repair. Even the belt on some of those VS machines are specific and thus super $$$$$.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I have the next older one--same thing but no belt guard on top. I got it because of that, as the "safety guy" forced the Park District to get rid of it. I'm surprised they didn't scrap it, citing the usual liability concerns. Anyway, I paid $200 at auction and didn't get the vise. They are NOT cheap, so I'd jump on that one in a heartbeat.

The only fault I have is the slowest speed isn't nearly slow enough for many metal jobs. Great for wood and general use though.

 

[BigChevy17]

I don't plan on drilling 1" holes very often so I think this would fine for me, for now. I haven't read up on them much, can I just swap out the pullys to make it run a little slower if needed?
I'm going to call him after work and ask about it.

 

[Packard V8]

Either of those posted are good DPs.

Anyone planning to regularly drill greater than 3/8" holes in steel needs a heavy duty model with a Morse taper chuck. A standard straight adjustable Jacobs chuck won't reliably hold larger diameter bits in a high torque situation. They aren't designed for that.

FWIW, I'd pay $500 for the big guy before I'd pay $200 for the little guy missing a couple of key parts. However, the vise with the smaller appears to be a decent one.

jack vines

 

[zuk123]

It sounds like he's already done most of the work to it too. As long as it runs smoothly and there are no weird noises, I'd buy it.


zuk

edit-- saw the price. I think it would be high here in Houston, but it might be good where you are, especially since he's done the work and the vise is incl. You might chisel him some on the price.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Yea it is a good press. I have one but it is the metal working model with slow speed pulleys and production table, technically it is on loan to a friend right now.

A couple things to note on that one.....

1.) It a appears to be missing a few parts, like the original table lock handle, the depth stop nuts, and the knobs for the quill handle (the thing you pull to operate the press).

This model did not have knobs on the handles. But I would add them anyway as it makes it nicer to use.

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=3505

 

[zkling]

This model did not have knobs on the handles. But I would add them anyway as it makes it nicer to use.

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=3505

Oops, looks like I stand corrected. I guess mine does have a different hub on it. All the ones I have seen had the balls on the end, probably because most of them came out of school shops. WTH was Delta Rockwell thinking by just putting a straight bar in there?

That must have been their super basic, cost cutting drill press.

 

[BigChevy17]

Either of those posted are good DPs.

Anyone planning to regularly drill greater than 3/8" holes in steel needs a heavy duty model with a Morse taper chuck. A standard straight adjustable Jacobs chuck won't reliably hold larger diameter bits in a high torque situation. They aren't designed for that.

FWIW, I'd pay $500 for the big guy before I'd pay $200 for the little guy missing a couple of key parts. However, the vise with the smaller appears to be a decent one.

jack vines

I was considering that one too but looks like it could be expensive to replace any worn parts on it. Hmmm

 

[BigChevy17]

Just found this
Cheaper and closer with lower speed rating
Plus I have a perfect spot for it on my bench

http://orlando.craigslist.org/tls/3831229291.html

Opinions?

 

[rsanter]

To the DP is worth $200 easy. If I was going to give him the $225 then just let me have the damn cart it's on....

That bigger DP is awesome if in good shape. I would offer $400 and be happy to get it


Either that or save your money and buy a older BP round ram mill
Even a slightly worn outdone will make an awesome drill press

Bob

 

[Outlawmws]

What the other guys said.

the smaller one is NOT missing the lever handles not all came with, (Mine did not)

I converted mine to a Treadmill motor and it's now infinite speed...

The big one would be awesome, but at $500... (Nat a BAD deal just not a deal IMO)