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Delta 17-925 16-1/2-Inch Drill Press
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| Tool Name: | Delta 17-925 16-1/2-Inch Drill Press |
| Manufacturer: | Delta |
| List Price: | $1,541.03 |
| Our Price: | |
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Customer reviews for Delta 17-925 16-1/2-Inch Drill Press
Excellent professional grade heavy duty press
It was too much trouble to move belts to adjust speed on my previous drill presses, but I knew the right speed did a better job and made the bit last longer.
Delta appears to own the market for reasonably priced variable-speed drill presses. The 17-925 has an incredibly long (6 inches) quill travel, plus a very wide speed range of 150-3200 RPM. Adjusting speed is very easy - first, select the speed range (low or high) with the rear handle; and then dial in the speed you want with the front handle. The machine must be running to change speeds, or internal parts could be damaged. In fact, it's so easy, and quick (a few seconds), you get used to setting a reasonable speed for each cut. I even change speeds while drilling/cutting, as necessary.
Run-out on my machine is practically nil, regardless of the quill location. There was minor belt-cover vibration, which was fixed with some stick-on felt. The quill depth stop is quick and easy to adjust, as is the spindle lock. At 74 inches tall, this is a large, top heavy, machine. Bolting it to the floor offers maximum stability, but mine is on a mobile base to conserve shop floor space.
I made several modifications to an HTC mobile base (HPJ-6) to accommodate the drill press: Bolted a double layer of 11-ply 3/4" plywood onto the support shelves of the base to raise the press (I'm tall); bolted the drill press base to the plywood; bolted two 50 lb. weight-lifting plates to the drill press base to lower the center of gravity [i.e., reduce tendency of the press to tip over]. - Installed a heavy-duty adjustable cabinet leveler at each corner of the base, to preclude tip overs. (Item number 937-023 from woodworker dot com.) Set each leveler to 1/16" off the floor.
The large cast iron metalworking table also works just fine for woodworking - It's easy to clamp work down since the table has many flat areas underneath. It can rotate 360 degrees, but has a large screw-handle to lock it in place. If you use lots of oil for metal cutting, there is a threaded drain-hole in the table for runoff.
The spindle handle knobs are hard and small for comfortable use, so I bought a can of liquid rubber and coated each handle. Although this was an improvement, Delta should really improve these knobs. Also, there was no obvious place to store the chuck. I fixed it to a small chain and connected one end to the lower column tightener, so it's handy.
The 110V motor is amply powered for everything I've thrown at it. For example, it will cut 3 3/16" rosettes in hardwood with ease, with no motor issues. Although more power is unnecessary, a simple motor wiring change to 220V does just that.
No lamp is included, but that is easily fixed with the addition of a Delta 25-858 Lamp bolted to the press's (left side) lamp lug. I installed two more lamps -- a 24 goose-neck magnetic lamp stuck to the top plate, and a 30 watt mini-flood mounted inside the hollow area behind the quill, aimed to below the chuck location. I wound up using smaller bulbs than each lamp could hold because otherwise, the light was blinding. All three lamps operate on a single switch. (Click on customer photos.)
Installing a 26 lb. cross-vice on the table significantly increased the effort required to crank the table upward. Worse, moving the table around the column made the raising-rack (that long column gear-piece) bind in its bottom channel, to the point that damage might have occurred. To counteract that, I had to pull up hard on the table whenever raising or turning it. (Without a vise, this won't be a problem, and vise weight is probably an issue on most drill presses.) My fix was a [Rube-Goldberg] counter-weight apparatus using three garage door springs (a 160 lb. & two 120 lb. rated), four pulleys, and 3/16" steel cable. This set-up exerts a constant upward pull on the table of about 50 lbs. It's now slightly easier to crank the table up, than it is to crank it down! It took a good deal of experimentation using varying spring strengths to get it just right; and while it looks a bit bizarre, it works wonderfully. Click on customer photos.
The principal features of this press are the terrific variable speed mechanism and the extra-long quill travel. Considering that comparable [variable speed] drill presses cost over twice as much (e.g., the Grizzly G9749 or the Palmgren 80202), the 17-925 is a good value. Everything works as advertised - I'd buy the same press again.
Jan '06 update: Installed an 82 lb. Palmgren CV80 cross vise on the drill press table. (Click on customer photos.) Could barely crank the table upward, even with the spring assist. Concerned that the plastic crank handle would break under the strain, I changed to three very strong (160 pound rated) garage door springs. All's well now. See my review of the CV80 for additional information.
Drill Press Review
I have wanted a variable speed drill press for some time, as I was tired of changing the belts every time I needed to adjust the speed. I was hesitant about buying the Delta, as most good variable speed drill presses are twice as expensive. Having given up on trying to locate a used commercial machine, I took the plunge and purchased the Delta.As soon as I put it together the first thing I checked was run-out. I was pleasantly surprised when I found I had only .001. The run-out did not change even when I extended the quill. As you can imagine I was beaming at that point. Next test was vibration. Again, surprised, I had little vibration. I am sure with a heaver castings, I would have less; but I could not complain about what I had, it was nominal. All in all, I was very pleased/surprised with my purchase as I think Delta in some cases has sacrificed quality to bring it's product in at a lower price point.
A Welcomed Upgrade for My Home Shop
I have used this unit for over a year. It was purchased as an upgrade from the commonly available Multi-speed floor units. With those units, I found myself too lazy to continually change the belts to get the correct speed. I knew using the correct speed was important to hole quality and cutting tool life, but it made a bigger difference than I had expected. The vibration and quill runout is fine. I like the extra long quill length. The depth stop and quill lock are convenient and easy to use. So much so, that I use them. The base is larger than most units and provides stability. The table is larger than most, and the underside, once past the rim, provides adequate flat surfaces for clamping. There are some things I would add/change. It should come with a light. I purchased a Delta magnetic base unit. There is an optional light available. Either way, you end up with two power cords/plugs. All the handles could be of better quaility. As a direct user-interface, the handle plastic with sharp seams just does not do it for me. I replaced mine with 2" hardwood balls. Softer to the touch and I like the look. A chuck key holder should also be a standard feature. I have mine on a retractable key holder, attached with doublestick tape to the side of the machine. Finally, the feel of the on/off switch is less positive than I would expect. It is like the push buttons for the presets on an old American car radio. They worked, but thinking back, they just never did feel like the most well-engineered design. Bottom Line: I do like the machine and am happy with my buying decision.
Sturdy and powerful, but vibration and run-out are problems
I love the power and the flexibility, but my work requires a precision which is impossible with this machine because of the vibration and the run-out variance (nearly 1/16 inch on my press). If this machine is to live up to expectations something must be done to dampen the belt vibration and to true the quill. JZK
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