Replies

1. 
   mike4244 | Aug 02, 2003 05:00pm | #1

   I have a 16" Delta drill press, I believe it may be the model you are interested in. Have not checked runout, but have no problems withit. I bought it two years ago for about  $225.00. Does not have quill stop or threaded fine adjustment. I am sorry I didn't buy the more exspensive one that has this feature.Overall it is a pretty good tool.

   Mike

1. 
   sailalex | Aug 03, 2003 12:10am | #6

   Thanks for your comments. Actually, I am looking at the 12" bench model which sells for about $220. I haven't found anyone that makes a bench model other than Delta. In fact for any drill press, bench or floor model, I have only found Delta and Jet offerings. Sounds as if there are also some accuracy problems with the squareness of the spindle to the table. I don't know whether going to a bigger (16" floor) model gets me any better accuracy but I doubt it.

    As I said before, I would like to get an accurate machine because that is what I get a drill press for; my 10" HF has a runout that is intolerable and I don't want to be out another $220 or more and end up with the same problem.

    Thanks again for all your comments.

2. 
   EdHarrison | Aug 02, 2003 05:48pm | #2

   I've got the 12" Delta Variable Speed benchtop DP. Just under $200. I installed the chuck correctly and according to the instructions. No runout that I can see - course I haven't mic'd it. Fine machine.

1. 
   corners | Aug 02, 2003 05:57pm | #3

   I have a Delta 16 inch drill press which I bought new about 5 years ago. According to my dial indicator it's the most accurate tool I own. The dial indicator doesn't move when checking spindle runout - something I've never seen before.

3. 
   RMillard | Aug 02, 2003 06:02pm | #4

   I have a Delta 12” drill press, and I like the machine. I hated the chuck that came with so I bought a super duty Jacobs ball bearing one. On the machine that I have, the stroke is not at right angles to the table as checked from front to back, which I found a little bothersome, but it isn’t the end of the world. I drill a lot of pins for card table and Pembroke table fly apron hinges, and these require a fairly high standard of accuracy, and the Delta works just fine. I have not checked the runout, but I think it would be minimal, by woodworking standards. I don’t see the need to have a super accurate machine that holds tolerances in the thousands of an inch, when I couldn’t and wouldn’t need to keep that level of accuracy.

                                             Rob Millard

1. 
   Sancho | Aug 02, 2003 07:29pm | #5

   I have a 12" delta it does all I need it to do. No problems. 

   Darkworks:  No Guns No Butter squilla and the bling bling.

1. 
   IMERC | Aug 03, 2003 08:58am | #9

   Darkworks:  No Guns No Butter squilla and the bling bling.

   Just what does this mean?

4. 
   LarryPile | Aug 03, 2003 12:55am | #7

   I have a Delta benchtop with noticeable runout...particularly when mortising.

   That said, I suspect I could reinstall the chuck and get better performance...I think that the chuck is just off center.

   Otherwise, it's a decent machine.

   Has anyone ever taken off the chuck?  How do you do that without damaging it?

   Larry

5. 
   patricks13 | Aug 03, 2003 01:10am | #8

   It is quite common for drill chucks to have run out. It is fairly rare for a drill press, be it Jacobs taper or Morris taper, to be out. Although you may find a few HF tapers out.

    

   If you have a run out problem take the chuck off and check the taper. They make wedge shims to take chucks off, or you can make your own wedges from steel.

   
   

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   Edited 8/2/2003 6:11:10 PM ET by Pat S