DELTA 20-950 20-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press

by DELTA

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Designed for woodworkers, the DELTA 20-950 20-inch Variable Speed Drill Press has a removable insert for through drilling with large bits. This unique table is designed to eliminate auxiliary fixtures by tilting left, right, and forward and its large quill stroke capacity allows users to drill a variety of demanding operations. Other features include a quick-adjust depth stop that allows users to quickly set the drilling depth for repetitive operations, a heavy duty 1 HP motor for demanding drilling, a large redesigned base for added tool stability, and an integrated task light for improved visibility. With a cast-iron head to provide smooth drilling with minimal vibration, this drill press also comes with push button motor control, variable speed (200-to-2,500 RPM), a 5/8-inch key chuck capacity, a large, 24-x-14-inch woodworker's table, a quill stroke of six inches, and a quill diameter of two inches. This tools weighs 286 pounds and stands 74-1/2 inches tall.

From the Manufacturer

The 20-950 20-Inch Variable Speed Drill press boasts a large woodworker's table (24 by 14 inches) for added stability of the workpiece and the ability to perform multiple angled drilling. The wooden insert in the table can be removed for larger capacity drilling. Comes standard with an integrated task light for improved visibility, a 1 horsepower induction motor for added power, and a 3-jaw, 5/8-inch capacity chuck for positive gripping of various drill press cutting tools. The 6-quill stroke provides plenty of depth capacity for multiple applications.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 329 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000HX4S4Y
• Item model number: 20-950
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,629 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the easier decisions I've made, February 9, 2009

By 

Karl Fife (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DELTA 20-950 20-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press (Tools & Home Improvement)

Finally available! (2009)

REAL variable-speed! Instant continuous speed changes using cast iron handwheel.

Drill presses that require a belt change for speed adjustment always end up being left on some 'middle' setting. Even though it's the wrong speed for nearly every operation, changing belts is just too much of a hassle. A USABLE variable speed system (like this one) is very important, but in the past you had to spend a few thousand dollars on a higher-end metalworking drill press to get it. This tool is an easy decision at this price. Every time I reach for the handwheel, I'm happy to be cutting holes instead of fussing with belts.

In my opinion this tool easily beats the more expensive Powermatic PM2800. Fit and finish are about equal, but I find this tool to be more versatile. Beyond the obvious differences--longer quill travel (6 inches vs. 4 3/8) and larger swing (20 inches vs. 18), the Delta has slots in the table for affixing a vise or milling table. The Powermatic would require the use of clamps or T-bolts to attach a vice. That's rather clumsy in my opinion. Yes, Powermatic is a woodworking company, but even woodworkers use vises and often they drill holes in metal.

On the topic of drilling metal, the spindle speed on the Delta can be slowed all the way down to 200 RPM (vs 400 on the Powermatic). 200 RPM vs 400 may not seem like a big difference, but in reality it is. The proper way to think of it is that the Delta has DOUBLE the low end capacity. In practical terms, the slower speed will preserve your drill bits when cutting steel. 400 RPM is too fast. 200 RPM is acceptable, although slower (150 RPM) would be welcome.

The table on this tool is flat and the height adjustment is smooth. The compound tilt feature of the table is very important: Obviously you could use it to drill a compound angle but more importantly, it allows you to set up the table to be PERFECTLY square to the spindle. Sadly on many (or most) drill presses, the spindle and the table are out-of-square and there's nothing you can do about it. With this drill press the table is completely adjustable, so you can make it PERFECTLY square at setup. I use a dial indicator (on an L shaped rod in the chuck) and rotate it by hand around the table.

For the price, the tool is a bargain. It was an easy decision over comparable products, but it was also an easy decision when considering the small incremental cost over lesser drill presses that don't have the feature set of this tool.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice machine, April 13, 2009

By 

Hammerguy "Tim" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DELTA 20-950 20-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press (Tools & Home Improvement)

I'm a remodeling contractor who builds cabinets, furniture and other woodworking items for fun & business. I'd been considering a new drill press for some time, but I'm the type who waits until I can justify (rationalize) a new machine. I was making a wine rack out of birdseye maple when I destroyed my benchtop machine (Sunday). I ordered the Delta and it arrived from CPO on Thursday. On time, no damage to boxes or contents. Note: I'm 45 and 250lbs and lift heavy objects daily...DON'T try to lift this alone.

Assembly went smoothly. Parts were well packaged and organized logically. The assembly instructions were easy to follow. I took my time and it was together easily within 90 minutes. I used the packaging to hold the head sideways, tipped the base and post over, pushed the post into the head and got a friend to help me lift it upright. We "walked" it into place and were in business.

The first project was to finish drilling (13) 3-1/2" holes through 1-1/2" thick birdseye maple with a forstner bit. Doesn't get much tougher than that. The slow speed was a big plus here. The Delta pushed cleanly right through, no burns, no problem. Then I switched to a spindle sander and upped the speed to max. The quill lock and work light were very handy here. With the quill extended, a heavy spindle sander and me reefing around from every direction it worked smoothly and without any slippage, visible runout or vibration through its full speed range. I figure those are the two extremes, everything else should be a breeze.

Once you experience the variable speed option, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. Having lived without it until now, it is a pleasure to just dial in the perfect speed for the application and go to work.

I am completely satisfied with the machine as well as with the entire purchase experience.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow and You better be under 60, January 18, 2009

By 

Howard Boehm - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DELTA 20-950 20-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press (Tools & Home Improvement)

Well They are finally selling this beast and I think the wait was worth it. As a drill press it has all you will ever need. It is built like a tank and it weighs the same amount. In the instructions they warn you not to try and put the head on yourself. I am a spry 62 and can lift just about anything. I was afraid to lift this with 2 other guys. We put the head on laying down and tilted it up. Yes it still took two of us and then some. THIS WILL PROBABY BE THE ONLY NEGATIVE ABOUT THIS DRILL. ONCE ITS TOGETHER YOUR HOME FREE.