Amazon.com Product Description Thanks to its adjustable Twin Laser pod that projects a bright laser cross hair on your work piece to indicate the point of bit contact, the DELTA 17-950L 16.5-inch Twin Laser Crosshair Drill Press lets you drill more accurately than ever before . You'll never have an inaccurate hole placement again. The large 14 x 18-inch cast iron table includes T-slots, a removable insert, and has the capacity to tilt up to 45 degrees forward so you can make angular drills. A flexible light is integrated to keep your workspace illuminated, and the table can be raised and lowered to your comfort level via a rack and pinion system. The drill press uses a 5/8-inch chuck, and offers a 3-7/8-inch quill stroke. The drill features a 1/2 HP induction motor with 12 speeds ranging from 250 to 3000 RPM, making it suitable for a variety of materials such as wood, metal, and plastic.
Not For Precision WorkMarch 5, 2010 JD Combs(Kentucky, USA) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I purchased this my Delta 17-950L drill press on Amazon April 11, 2008 about 2 years ago. I just spent most of the afternoon yesterday 03/05/10 tearing into drill press because of excessive quill play. At full extension the quill will move side to side by an estimated 1/16 of an inch. There is no adjustment for this play. The quill fits into un-adjustable bored holes in the casting. No replaceable bushings or bearings, no split housing, just raw solid cast iron. A good machine shop could perhaps remill the holes for replaceable bushings but that would probably cost more then the price of a new drill press. There is however, an adjustment for the drill spindle (drive shaft). I tightened it up and that helped a little, very little, but it did help. I also re-greased the quill heavily which also helped some although I am sure that is very temporary. Luckily I am only working with wood and not building space shuttles or something else critical. As someone else noted it does vibrate and has always done so. I certainly wouldn't recommend this drill press as precision machine. That being said it is still a decent drill press for the money and for general drilling.
Note: I will be getting an end-mill this spring. I may try to do some mod to it to add a tightening function for the quill.
Wish I hadnt bought itJanuary 19, 2010 Fred Taylor(Middle of the Mitten) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have lots of Delta tools and this is by far the worst one. The crosshair laser is pointless. The pulleys and motor were out of alignment from day one. The belts are too fat and even though the pulleys are now aligned (1 hour job) they shred black stuff constantly. Huge chuck is poorly machined. Very stiff. Drill key fits poorly, is not sized correctly and only works in 2 of the 3 chuck holes. Changing speeds is a pain in the butt. Top cover rattles. The toothed strip that runs down the side of the stand bent like a paper clip when someone didnt loosen the lock enough and tried to lower the table. The drill stop gauge is sloppy, hard to use, and looks as though it will break if you tweak the tin thumb screw too much. Directions were in basic Engrish. 2 outlets are needed, one for the light and one for the motor. C'mon this is Chinese junk not the Delta that I used to trust. Not rugged, not a quality machine, No bargain after all.
delta 17-950L better than harbor freight 39955-9VGA, compare!January 1, 2010 wintermute(right behind you) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I narrowly escaped the darkside!
I was originally going to get a "Harbor Freight 12 Speed Floor Production Drill Press 39955-9VGA", but decided on this Delta press instead.
Price:
I found the Delta for $47 more than Harbor Freight's newyears sale ($333) ($120 less than 39955-9VGA's normal price if you'd like to look at it that way)
$380 at Lowes in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Comparing the specs, the Delta at $380 is far better either way you price it.
Here's why:
- chuck can take small drill bits (harbor freight one wouldn't even take a 1/8" which for me is a common bit)
- nasty rust patina all over the harbor freight one, and the metal parts look rough
- 5 yr warranty (harbor freight, I can't tell, 30 days?)
- Delta name brand for support/parts
- induction motor (no brushes to replace). harbor freight didn't say, so I assumed it was brushed or they'd be shouting it as a feature...
- it has lasor beams! frickin lasor beams!]
- movable gooseneck light
Here's what's worse:
- 1.5" less throat (chuck to pole distance), I hemmed and hawed about this, but in the end, 1.5" difference isn't much, and 8.25" throat is pretty good anyways.
- 1/8" less spindle plunge depth, close enough (3-7/8-inch)
- no oiler (the HF one is chinsy, but it looked functional)
- the T slots aren't very close to the middle, not sure if this will affect the tslot clamping system I had in mind...
anyway, cool equipment
Pain to assemble, but works!November 25, 2009 Riki(Parker, CO United States) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Well, the work platform weighs about 40 lbs., and I think the drill head about 100 lbs., but once it is finally assembled, it works just fine.
Looks like an Alien in my garage. Altered the belts, and started drilling holes in wood.
The laser isn't really working out. Not sure how accurate it is supposed to be.
You can adjust it by hand around center, but better to use another method to hit your spot.
Not quite Delta qualityOctober 9, 2009 Jerry B. Hillman 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I have bought a number of Delta tools and like them so when I needed a good drill press to replace the one I was using I had no reservations about buying this one. I guess for the price it is a good drill press. Assembly was straightforward. The head is heavy so you may need help to set it on the top of the column but then it should slide right into place. The lasers are difficult to line up but are fun to use once they are lined up. Would have been better to not be battery operated though. The complaints I have are that the side tilt guage strip and the depth guage strip are off. When the table is level side to side the guage says it is tilted about 1 degree. The depth guage is off by 1/16th of an inch. No big deal either way but Delta should be able to do better. If you are a home hobby worker it is a great drill press. If you are a fussy Pro, I suggest going up to a more expensive model.
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