Customer Reviews

DELTA 11-950 8-Inch Drill Press

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First the bad points: Fine tuning the table height is very frustrating. The arm that you loosen then tighten is set akwardly on the left. Furthermore, you either have to rock the table back and fourth to get it lower, or it just drops down, so much for fine tuning. The table that you place your work on is small. If you're working on anything of any size, it's difficult to clamp. Finally, there's no mortising attachment available.

The good points: It's a solid machine that will make good holes for a long time. It's just the set up that's misery.

I should have spent the extra [money], and bought the Delta 12" Drill Press. The 12" model has a crank to adjust the table height, the table is bigger, and a mortising attachment is available.

I purchased this unit about a year ago. I haven't had a single problem with it, and have used it on several projects. Changing the speed of the drill involves messing around with the belt in the top housing, which is a little cumbersome until you get use to it. I have only two complants with it. 1) The adjustable table doesn't utilize a rack-and-pinion system like the other Delta drill presses, which can make it cumbersome to adjust the table height, particularly if you are fine tuning. It also forces you to have to constantly make sure that the table "hole" is lined up correctly with the drill bit. 2) Delta doesn't appear to make accessories to support the drill, such as clamps, mortising attachments, etc. I originally purchased this drill press because of its Delta name and its remarkable low price. Ultimately I will upgrade to the 12" drill press which has the features that this one lacks.

The story:
I bought this mainly because I needed to make an adaptor plate out of steel. 3/8" thick steel. This meant using a hole saw to chew out a couple inch diameter hole in the middle, drilling 6 mounting holes, and tapping two of them. This little drill press handled it all without complaining, although the motor got a little toasty when I was using the hole saw. When it came to tapping the holes, I used the press unpowered to keep the tap perpendicular.

Bad points: adjusting the table is awkward. It doesn't come with a vise.

Good points: it's a very usable drill press for the price of a 3/8" portable drill. Even if you have a "real" drill press, this could be handy to have around for drilling pilot holes or with a Unibit. It's light and small enough to take out to a job site, or tuck away in a cupboard if you're short of bench space.

This little drill press is great for a young woodworker. So far, it has been a pleasure to work with. The spring loaded chuck prevents the chuck key from staying in, thus preventing "chuck key flyout" when the drill press is turned on. A great idea, this feature makes the drill a lot safer to use, especially with kids. The pop out switch toggle prevents unauthorized use of drill press. The 5-speed feature is great for hard or soft wood, metals, and plastic. The only thing I find indesirable is that the chuck could always go a little bit deeper. A nice little machine; just what you'd expect from Delta!