Shopping For Old Dp..which?

[AaronD]

Thanks for posting the Walker Turner contact info. I am in the midst of a rebuild of a Delta Rockwell WT 20-400 20". Rough shape when I got it for scrap value. The rust actually comes off easy with lots of steel wool and WD40.

I bought an 8" rotary table w/dividing plates so I can machine a new 33t gear for the elevating mechanism. Pricey gear lol. No one makes a stock gear so good excuse right? Might make a couple extra as I'm sure I am not alone.

Making a new quill clamp too as original broke, return spring popped off and allowed spindle to fall out. Got some work ahead of me.

My experience with this DP so far has been good. Heavy duty and parts are around. Don't be afraid of 3 phase. Sub 1hp VFDs are cheap. Allows adjustable speed. I've got a 1hp drive waiting on the shelf.

 

[mattthemuppet2]

I like my WT900 - floor standing 15in that I got for free a few years back. One day I'll strip her down and rebuild her, but she's doing fine right now with squirts of motor oil down the splines of the spindle every use. I've learned to wipe off the top of the chuck if she's been sitting for a while though, otherwise I get a nice line of oil across my chest

Personally I'd rather go for a WT over an Atlas or Craftsman. No real reason other than I know how well they're built (and with proper quill locks too!) and I don't know much about the others.

 

[EmilioG]

Just received as a gift, a vintage Delta floor standing 17" drill press with a Jacobs USA 6a chuck.
It's in pretty good shape and I would like to refurbish it to near new condition.
Are there any rebuild threads out there anywhere? I will note the model number and serial number once I get it inside my garage. Any and all recommendations are welcome. Thanks
I'll post photos soon.

 

[4GSR]

.....snip.....Are there any rebuild threads out there anywhere? ....snip.......

Probably. Do as most of us do, just start tearing it down and cleaning it up. They are not that difficult to work on. Take lots of pictures and notes. Pay attention to how parts go together when you take them apart. I'm the Worlds worse for not making notes. Two years later, try to put something back together. It's challenging at times.
You might check and see if there is a Yahoo group that deals with Delta drill presses. Have fun with your restoration.
Ken

 

[tertiaryjim]

Lots of pictures help when putting a machine back together. Especially when it takes awhile to get all the components ready.
The axial thrust is handled on many of these machines by a semi-hard spindle shaft running directly on the cast iron.
Seems to work well as long as they are clean and lubricated.
If there is a wear problem there, a new spindle may have to be fabricated.
One could find roller/needle bearings or combinations to tighten the spindles and support the thrust loads.

 

[stupoty]

View attachment 100033 View attachment 100034 Here are pics of my WT with the shopmade table (it's heavy!) as I prepared to mark the holes to bolt her on. Also included is and the step pulley turned from 6061. In combination with the two speed motor, I've got what I deemed a nice speed selection, with appropriate increments and range. However, I did more math than I wanted to in order to get the results. The space between the channels is helpful for clamping or drilling into so I don't engrave the table. It also holds long round stock very nicely.
View attachment 100033 View attachment 100034
View attachment 100033 View attachment 100034
Daryl
MN

Daryl
MN

Humm looks a little on the flimsy side, maybe some cross braces and re -inforceing ribs needed, ha ha ha ha . ;-)

When i read I beam at the beginning of your post i wasnt expecting them to be a couple of feet tall.

Stuart

 

[Silverbullet]

Must be the time to get them ,I too have just purchased a used ,,well used delta 20" model 20-400 with power down feed. I've been wanting one for years . Just got tired of small tables and I guess getting lazy ,,power feed,, . this baby's a beast compared to my wt bench top and the enco floor model. So in the spring I'll be pressure washing and cleaning it first then I'll lube her up and test it . After that it will be repair as needed then paint? If needed the table has a cover from previous owner , that's going if the tables in decent shape ok if not then ill remake one with my own design. Yupp I hibernate for the winter , being in a wheelchair and not able to move a lot ya get real cold easily .

 

[AaronD]

Silverbullet, your 20-400 look like mine? Well...hopefully minus the rust. Pictures make it look worse than it is. I haven't made any progress on it since I last posted. Hoping to soon. I've got all the necessary tooling now to make the 33 tooth table elevator spur gear. Still planning on making multiples, so if yours needs one let me know.

 

[Silverbullet]

Mines different my handle is lower front mounted . To engage it you pull or push the handles , it has three smaller handles too. I t just came last week ,still wrapped in shipping wrap on the pallet. I don't know what my table looks like cause it's got some plate or something mounted on it , and my base is a 2'x 3' x 1" plate . The tables there and it's not rusted mainly covered in grime and dirt. Gona fix her in spring first gona spray some gum cutter then pressure wash her . Of course after I open her up I'll plug it in and see what she sounds like. now HGR has a twin head one with power feed for fifty bucks more then I paid for mine just my luck. I hope my table feed is good if I need one , I get a nice day I'll ck it's up ,and down movement . maybe you better make an extra just in case um um maybe two extras.