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PostPosted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 10:46 am 
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Location: Vacaville CA. USA
I am hoping Santa will bring me a new drill press for Christmas. I really like the Powermatic but at a savings of over $300 I think the Delta will do nicely. . What do you think?

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PostPosted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 12:09 pm 
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Hey Dwayne,

I have a Delta, but I think that I would done better to buy a Powermatic. The machining of the stops and quill could be better on mine, but one thing I can tell you for certain, ... get rid of the chuck that comes with the Delta as soon as possible. I bought an eastern european hand tightened chuck on eBay, and never looked back.

I would really suggest that you make a trip to the store to check them both out for yourself. Take notes, and ask to try them out. Be sure to check the bearing size on the quills and the runout and backlash. A little time spent now will be well spent over the next several years of use.

Cheers,
Tom

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PostPosted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 12:45 pm 
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I'm really intrigued by the variable speed options on some of the newer models. The only person I know that has one his is a Delta. He's not all that enthusiastic about it, though. Not sure what's not to like. I have two but one is an old Sears Craftsman which has served me well for close to 20 years. The other is a Grizzly which is devoted to woodwork, the other to metal work (read lots of cutting oil, etc.) None of which is in response to your question other than consider how the table is machined for attachment of aux. tables, jigs and the like. How well and easily it is maintained perpendicular to the quill; how easily the chuck can be changed if need be. Lastly check on the ease with which the depth stop can be set and maintained - how robust it is against the stop. I had to replace the simple sheet metal angle that served for a stop on the Grizzly, replaced it with a piece of angle iron. And how well the quill lock works for depth settings. Lots of little things to think about that make or break a good drill press in my opinion.

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PostPosted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 11:09 am 
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Thanks Tom and Dennis, just the sort of opinion input I'm looking for. I really like the duel LED lighting, keyless chuck and no belt changes speed control included with the Powermatic. Also the Delta does not come with the fence. Santa is going to think I'm a spoiled demanding brat but I will ask for the Powermatic or NOTHING. :-D

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PostPosted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:10 pm 
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I have some Delta machines, but I was in my local Woodcraft last week and heard there that Delta was bought by B&D and then sold off to some other company out of China, and the quality has dropped to the point that Woodcraft won't carry the name any more. I haven't researched it myself, so this is just hearsay right now, but you might want to look into it before pulling the trigger.

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PostPosted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 9:09 am 
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I'm all for buying the best tool for my money, or budget,I do have a problem with this drill press issue.

In my opinion, a drill press is nice, but not necessarily a must have tool.
I drill pilot holes, use Forestner bits once in a while, but most of the time my projects are too big for the drill press table.
I don't see buying a machinist quality drill press for woodworking.

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PostPosted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 1:35 pm 
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I would also consider looking on craig's list. Up here I see some nice deals on used drill press'.

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