Unusual Delta DP 220 Drill Press

[Maui]

Here are some photos of the Delta DP 220 that I just brought home in the trunk of my car. I've never seen one set up like this before. It has a very unusual head lift mechanism mounted on it that I haven't even figured out how to operate yet. Does anyone here recognize it? How do you use/adjust it? Is it meant to be a lift assist mechanism that takes some of the weight off of the operator when he adjusts the head to a different height? The belt cover is thick cast iron. This is probably one of the heaviest bench top drill presses I have ever owned.

 

[driftpin]

Look on the underside of the table and see if there's a date cast into it. Looks like the chain lift is to ease lifting the head, but I account for the height by moving the table. I sold my DP220.

 

[Cruzan80]

Looks like the lift that are on multi-head presses.

 

[Packard V8]

Guess I'm blinking, because l don't see a lift mechanism. Looks like most Delta bench tops.

jack vines

 

[Mohawk Dave]

When I was researching these DPs last year for my brother I saw a handful that had the chain lift. Super cool. Fastest way to find others/info is using Google Images.

 

[jmarkwolf]

Maui

I believe that lift has a counter-weight inside the column which serves to simply "unweight" the head, making it easier to lift the head manually. The weight of the counter-weight will have to be overcome to lower the head. You might be able to attach the chain to the table as opposed to the head.

The column will have to be clean and shiny.

 

[tarbellb]

where does the chain in the column go to?

any close up or detail pics would help

 

[Packard V8]

Yes, on the larger DPs, Delta offered a geared hand cranked lift mechanism to adjust the head on the column. It's pretty much impossible to get enough weight inside the column for that counterweight mechanism to move the head. It's designed to assist lifting the table.

And yes, with a rusty column, the counterweight is moot anyway.

jack vines

 

[whateg01]

Yes, on the larger DPs, Delta offered a geared hand cranked lift mechanism to adjust the head on the column. It's pretty much impossible to get enough weight inside the column for that counterweight mechanism to move the head. It's designed to assist lifting the table.

And yes, with a rusty column, the counterweight is moot anyway.

jack vines

How does the weight that is in no way connected to the table assist in lifting the table? Where is the connection I'm not seeing?

 

[slowtwitch73]

Its for the head. I believe the chain is anchored in the column... where you can see the screw. There must be a chain reel in the head.

Would like some more pics.

 

[tarbellb]

I bet the chain is disconnected and the top pulley has been rotated (accidently) to the front
Likely should be 180 degrees from current location to assist the table?

Dont think ive seen a consumer grade DP with a head lift mech?

 

[slowtwitch73]

^^ it wouldn't have a straight shot down...

 

[DenisG]

Delta Rockwell DP216 counterbalance assy

 

[slowtwitch73]

Ahh... big spring in there to help with the head. Interesting.

 

[Packard V8]

Just thinking about it, the Delta 14" bench model in my shop was built in 1942. I don't believe the head unit has ever been raised or lowered in those eighty years.

On a production table, the head is the only moveable part, thus most were equipped with locking collars for the column, should the head need repositioning for a setup. However, on a bench model with the usual adjustable table, I'd have to think about why one would prefer to use the more involved and cumbersome operation to raise/lower the head.

jack vines

 

[Maui]

Since there wasn't any other obvious way to do it, I simply loosened the head bolt and pulled upward to see what would happen. It was almost effortless raising the head! The pulley rotated as it took up the chain links, and when I let go the head stayed where I had positioned it. Here's a couple of pictures of the mechanism and the final head position. It's obvious from the shape of the slots that the cast iron pulley cover was designed to accommodate this head raising mechanism. Where I have it positioned now is the maximum height you can adjust it to. At any height I can still fully lift up on the pulley cover. This is a very slick design. I'm impressed!

 

[Packard V8]

Unusual, indeed. I've seen one or two which use a sash weight inside the column as a counterbalance for raising the table, but neverin sixty years have seen this option with a loooong spring inside the column to assist raising the head.

Been thinking about it all afternoon and still can't fathom why it is necessary to regularly raise/lower a bench model DP head.

jack vines

 

[tarbellb]

Whoa

cool, thanks for posting the follow up photos. A interesting solution to that problem.

 

[Cruzan80]

I would hazard a guess it came off a gang press, and someone wanted to accesorize this one.

 

[whateg01]

Unusual, indeed. I've seen one or two which use a sash weight inside the column as a counterbalance for raising the table, but neverin sixty years have seen this option with a loooong spring inside the column to assist raising the head.

Been thinking about it all afternoon and still can't fathom why it is necessary to regularly raise/lower a bench model DP head.

jack vines

There are times I have had to use a block of wood or some other riser to position work at just the right height to fit a drill in the chuck and still be able to use all of the quill travel. There's a height where the table doesn't go low enough and the base is too low. If I would have lowered the head it would have let me do that now easily.

 

[Maui]

I restore vintage machines and tools, and I can say with confidence that I am keeping this one for performing restoration work on other machines.

 

[Aaronprescott13]

Delta High speed sensitive drill if you haven't already figured it out