Replies

1. 
   hjherbenson | Mar 03, 2006 01:53am | #1

   I have the Delta and like it, have had no problems of course I've only had it a few months...

2. 
   joepez | Mar 03, 2006 08:52pm | #2

   I just purchased the delta and so far I am pleased. It has a little more vibration than I thought it would, however I do have it in a mobile base. Short of throwing 900.00 for the varrible speed model, which I couldnt bring myself to part with,   I think it has a great depth stop, pretty good fit and finish also, and the quill travel for the money is the best in class. I did have to order a new depth stop because the one supplied had poor threading, it would not hold, but Delta sent a replacement on the first call. They also sent me a new plastic cover, as that suffered shipping damage, again no hesitation. I tested the quill runout at .003 thousands max, which I refered to a FWW article that mentioned that to be acceptable. So all in all I am happy with the machine.  Now I do have a delta drum sander that is not worth the space it takes up, will not sand to a consistant 1/32 accross a 10" board and serves as a sore reminder to send any tool back that does live up to its advetising. opps sorry you asked about the drill press!!

1. 
   citrouille | Mar 07, 2006 09:02pm | #11

   I installed a DC motor with a speed control on my Delta.
   Now I have a variable speed drill press at a fraction of the cost (and now I change speed very often) I added a reverse switch and I can drill and tap as well.
   Check out http://www.surpluscenter.comC.

1. 
   joepez | Mar 07, 2006 11:12pm | #12

   thanks for the tip. It's not like the delta came with a baldor motor anyway. good idea!

   thanks joe p

2. 
   gb93433 | Mar 09, 2006 05:07am | #14

   What motor did you buy?

1. 
   citrouille | Mar 09, 2006 08:29pm | #15

   I actually had a motor similar to item # 10-1723 but 3/4 HP, 1-1/2 HP may be overkill but you can't beat the price. The controller I bought is item # 11-2449, the potentiometer was only a couple of bucks at Radio Shack as well as the reverse switch.
   You may want to try item # 10-1783, still too much power but how can you go wrong at $21.95 ?
   By the way all items mentioned above are from http://www.surpluscenter.comGood luck,C.

3. 
   tangomike | Mar 03, 2006 09:18pm | #3

   screw belt changes... spend $540 and get the 16 1/2" Delta variable speed model 17-968. I did and can say that over the last year of owning it the last thing I have thought about is the extra $$ it took to buy it.

1. 
   joepez | Mar 04, 2006 05:51pm | #5

   Where did you get that machine for $540.00?

   What a deal, sounds like you scored. I priced it at over $800.00 on sale.

   joe p

1. 
   tangomike | Mar 06, 2006 06:06am | #9

   There are 2 Delta 16 1/2" variable speed drill presses, the 17-968 and the 17-990X. The 968 is priced around $540 average, while the 990X is over $800. As you can imagine, the 990X has a few extras like longer quill stroke.

1. 
   joepez | Mar 06, 2006 05:22pm | #10

   thanks for the info. I guess I should have done a little more research. I bought a 16" delta on amazon in Jan 06  for around $400.00 if memory serves me correct. But it does not have the varr feature, and that was the machine I was speaking of above.

   joe p

4. 
   Troy | Mar 04, 2006 10:02am | #4

   Having the extra quill travel is nice I think all things being equal I would go with the drill press with the longer quill travel.

   Troy

5. 
   woodlark | Mar 05, 2006 02:49am | #6

   I had the Jet for a few years. It served me very well. I liked the built-in light; that seems to be the only feature that it has over the Delta. I found the light to be VERY helpful - a gooseneck light off to the side always threw shadows. Haven't used the Delta.

6. 
   gb93433 | Mar 05, 2006 05:03am | #7

   I have the Delta and it works great with the exception of the chuck. The chuck was a piece of junk so I bought a Jacobs and it works great now.

7. 
   Reginald | Mar 05, 2006 09:13pm | #8

   Had the Rigid drill press included a lock screw to hold the quill when extended, I'd have bought it. Delta the comparable floor model Delta has one. Though it's rudimentary in design and function it works well. Don't buy any drill press lacking this feature. Accurate placement of work to be drilled is vexatious without it.  

    

8. 
   JMartinsky | Mar 09, 2006 03:12am | #13

   I have the Jet. Like some others mentioned, the light is great. Nice machine. Four years, no problems.

   John

9. 
   kathy456 | Jan 16, 2018 11:23pm | #16

   My friend Robert well pleased with the Delta 3/4 h.p. drill press, the set up was very easy. The power this drill has is more than enough for any project he has undertaken so far. The drill runs quietly at all speeds.

   On the other hand, Lionel tells me if anyone looking for a quality built floor standing drill press at a reasonable cost, look to JET's JDP-17MF. The shipping carton and receipt condition were excellent. The operation of the tool with its sixteen speeds from 200 to 3630 rpm provides a wide range of speeds, so you can match the drilling speed to the job at hand. The JDP-17MF has a large table, which is easily lowered or raised to the perfect working height. The tool is massive, weighing in at almost 200 pounds.