DELTA 17-990X X5 3/4 Horsepower 16-1/2-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press

by Delta

Product Description

Amazon.com

Everything about this drill press says quality, whether you're a professional or a home do-it-yourselfer or woodworking hobbyist. To our delight, this model doesn't feature the belts and pulleys of the lesser machines; rather, there are two variable speed ranges—from 150 to 1100 rpm and 500 to 3200 rpm, suited to your material and bit size. The table is larger than those found on other brands with the same throat capacity, and bigger is always better where that's concerned. It rides extremely smoothly on a rack-and-pinion system that requires practically no effort. We like that the power switch is right on the front of the head, rather than on the side, for quick starts and stops. When we examined the 1/2-inch chuck, we found yet more quality in the Jacobs name. It runs like a dream with no play that we could discern, assuring a quality bore every time along its 6-inch stroke. It's hefty at 230 pounds, so there's no vibration whatsoever. Perfect for the cabinetmaker or exacting home woodworker.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

From the Manufacturer

DELTA 17-990X X5 3/4 Horsepower 16-1/2-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press

Product Details

• Item Weight: 277 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 277 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000A25TO
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 17-990X
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #292,268 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Is this Delta's best?, November 20, 2005

By 

David Kuznitz - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DELTA 17-990X X5 3/4 Horsepower 16-1/2-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press (Tools & Home Improvement)

We recently purchased this drill press for our small custom shop. We appreciate well made machinery and for the price of this unit that is what we were hoping to receive. Some parts of the machine are excellent, variable speed and generally solid construction. Yet the machine is mechanically flawed.

1. There is a full 1/16" of quill play. This exists between the quill and the gear in the handle assembly. This equates to a vertical rattle and an inability for the drill press to drill a hole to a precise depth. I called Delta and their response was that this is acceptable and normal in this model..........

2. The drill press quill stop is a piece of flexible bent steel and is not a part of the head casting as with many sturdy old drill presses. The steel is flimsy enough that you have to be careful not to deflect the stop at the bottom of the stroke by pushing aggressively, or you will be boring a hole deeper than you would like.

3. The top of the head is open exposing the variable speed drive. It would be very difficult to get your hands down into the pulleys but this is still a safety issue. All pulleys with belts should be fully enclosed, period. This may even be an OSHA violation, but regardless ...... sloppy design.

Overall this machine is a disappointment in its price class. Some bad design elements, and some poor machining......made in China.

David Kuznitz
DK Woodworks

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Happy Drilling Now, December 18, 2005

By 

Robb Saye (Union Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DELTA 17-990X X5 3/4 Horsepower 16-1/2-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press (Tools & Home Improvement)

This drill press is great it is quite and has all the power I will ever need. The only reason that I am giving it 4 stars instead of five is the table that is with it. I ordered a clamp and a vise to go with this great drill, they had to be jacked around to work because the slots in the table do not goo all the way through. These everyday extras work well but had to do a lot of fiddling to get them attached to the base.

One comment is that I find it incredable that Delta feels the top covering the belt and pulleys to be an extra. Made one from plywood to protect the pulleys from loading up with sawdust.

Over all I am most pleased and highly reccomend this drill to any one.
Robb

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars X5 Drill Press, January 16, 2006

By 

Tom Shures "so97gc" (Cincinnati, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DELTA 17-990X X5 3/4 Horsepower 16-1/2-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press (Tools & Home Improvement)

After having used this drill press for several months I can say that over all I am quite happy with it. I have drilled holes in wood and metal with everything from 1/16 inch twist to 2-1/2 Forstner bits with no problems and have used spindle sanders also with no issues. It runs smoothly and quietly with power to spare.
That being said I am disapointed with several small things: 1. the top of the head is open and the cover is extra $ this seems chintzy on an $800 machine. 2. The table is more geared towards metal work as are most drill presses but there are no through holes to allow an add-on table to be attached. Admittedly these may seem like minor issues but they are enough to take a star away for being cheap on the details.