I'm looking to buy a floor standing drill press, probably a Delta model.
They have two variable speed models, 17-925 and the 17-990X, where the speed
change is done by tuning a dial. These models are considerably more
expensive than the other models that require a belt change.

I've never used a drill press that requires belt changes (I've been using a
cheesy tabletop press which is more like a dressed up variable speed hand
drill), so I don't know if this is a real nuisance or not. Does anybody have
an opinion about the need for the convenience of a variable speed drill
press in the workshop of a woodworking hobbyist?

Also, besides the warranty, does anybody understand what the real
differences are between Delta's X5 series of tools and the seemingly
identical standard models? The online prices for the standard 925 model is
just below $1000 while the 990X model is about $750. The only difference I
can identify is the cosmetics of the press handle, and the cheaper one has a
longer warranty.

Thanks,
Ernie

"Erk" wrote in message news:iGq%a.83373

Does anybody have
an opinion about the need for the convenience of a variable speed drill
press in the workshop of a woodworking hobbyist?

I change my speed maybe twice a month. If I had a variable speed, I'd do it
more often. If I'm drilling just one or two oesl, I'll just let it go at the
speed it happens to be set for. It only takes a minute to change the belt,
but I just don't bother all that often. If I'm putting in a special bit,
large hole saw, etc., I'll do it the right way. To poke a quick hole, not
a big deal.

The online prices for the standard 925 model is
just below $1000 while the 990X model is about $750. The only difference
I
can identify is the cosmetics of the press handle, and the cheaper one has
a
longer warranty.

Never saw them so I can't comment. Could be differences in fit, finish,
material types and thickness, and a lot of things that don't show in the
photo. Often you have to pull the handle and turn the knobs to know the
differences. Ball bearing vs. sleeve does not sow from the outside. Did
you check the Delta web page for comparison? They may give some ideas
there.
Ed

http://pages.cthome.net/edhome

I wouldn't do it. Speed in wood is far less critical than in metal.
The VS will be very expensive to repair if it goes out.
Stick with the old stuff this time.
Wilson
"Erk" wrote in message
. net...
I'm looking to buy a floor standing drill press, probably a Delta model.
They have two variable speed models, 17-925 and the 17-990X, where the
speed
change is done by tuning a dial. These models are considerably more
expensive than the other models that require a belt change.

I've never used a drill press that requires belt changes (I've been using
a
cheesy tabletop press which is more like a dressed up variable speed hand
drill), so I don't know if this is a real nuisance or not. Does anybody
have
an opinion about the need for the convenience of a variable speed drill
press in the workshop of a woodworking hobbyist?

Also, besides the warranty, does anybody understand what the real
differences are between Delta's X5 series of tools and the seemingly
identical standard models? The online prices for the standard 925 model is
just below $1000 while the 990X model is about $750. The only difference
I
can identify is the cosmetics of the press handle, and the cheaper one has
a
longer warranty.

Thanks,
Ernie

I have a Delta that requires belt changes.

I use forstner bits a lot which require slower speeds.

While not hard to change speed, it is a pain.

I wish I had a variable speed model.

Only you can decide if it is worth the extra money for you.

Rob


"Erk" wrote in message
. net...
I'm looking to buy a floor standing drill press, probably a Delta model.
They have two variable speed models, 17-925 and the 17-990X, where the
speed
change is done by tuning a dial. These models are considerably more
expensive than the other models that require a belt change.

I've never used a drill press that requires belt changes (I've been using
a
cheesy tabletop press which is more like a dressed up variable speed hand
drill), so I don't know if this is a real nuisance or not. Does anybody
have
an opinion about the need for the convenience of a variable speed drill
press in the workshop of a woodworking hobbyist?

Also, besides the warranty, does anybody understand what the real
differences are between Delta's X5 series of tools and the seemingly
identical standard models? The online prices for the standard 925 model is
just below $1000 while the 990X model is about $750. The only difference
I
can identify is the cosmetics of the press handle, and the cheaper one has
a
longer warranty.

Thanks,
Ernie

Then why change it? Leave it on low speed. Mine stays at its lowest speed
unless I'm stirring paint.
"Rob" wrote in message
...


I use forstner bits a lot which require slower speeds.

While not hard to change speed, it is a pain.

I wish I had a variable speed model.

Erk wrote:

I'm looking to buy a floor standing drill press, probably a Delta model.
They have two variable speed models, 17-925 and the 17-990X, where the
speed change is done by tuning a dial. These models are considerably more
expensive than the other models that require a belt change.

How much of a price difference are we talking about? If it's "considerable"
then I'd say spend it if you got it, but if you don't got it, then stop
being such a weenie and just buy the dang belt-driven model like everyone
else on Earth.

I'm about like everyone else who has posted. I usually leave the thing set
for about 650 RPM. Going too slow is seldom a problem, but going too fast
can be, so I default to a speed that's slower than it could be for most of
the stuff I do, but not too fast for most of the stuff I do. Usually for
any given bit size and material there's a very broad range of speeds.

Once in awhile I need to turn it up or turn it down. I did do one job
recently where I had to change speeds nearly as often as I changed bits.
Big bits need to go slow, and extremely small bits do better at high
speeds. All of this seems to make much more of a difference when drilling
metal than wood, and generally the harder and/or thicker a material is, the
less forgiving it will be of laziness in choosing the correct speed.

Anyway, changing speeds takes something like 30 seconds, so how much is
"considerable" and how much is your time worth? If you do a lot of things
where you're going back and forth from a 3/4" bit to a 1/32" bit, then the
"considerable" may be worth it. Otherwise, probably not.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
Confirmed post number: 17220 Approximate word count: 516600
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

I might change speeds on my DP about every 6 bit changes, so it isn't a
big deal. for the price difference, I can make a lot of belt changes.
and good grief, it only takes a couple of moments. certainly less than
a minute.


dave

Erk wrote:

I'm looking to buy a floor standing drill press, probably a Delta model.
They have two variable speed models, 17-925 and the 17-990X, where the speed
change is done by tuning a dial. These models are considerably more
expensive than the other models that require a belt change.

I've never used a drill press that requires belt changes (I've been using a
cheesy tabletop press which is more like a dressed up variable speed hand
drill), so I don't know if this is a real nuisance or not. Does anybody have
an opinion about the need for the convenience of a variable speed drill
press in the workshop of a woodworking hobbyist?

Also, besides the warranty, does anybody understand what the real
differences are between Delta's X5 series of tools and the seemingly
identical standard models? The online prices for the standard 925 model is
just below $1000 while the 990X model is about $750. The only difference I
can identify is the cosmetics of the press handle, and the cheaper one has a
longer warranty.

Thanks,
Ernie

Bay Area Dave wrote:

I might change speeds on my DP about every 6 bit changes, so it isn't a
big deal. for the price difference, I can make a lot of belt changes.
and good grief, it only takes a couple of moments. certainly less than
a minute.

I timed myself, FWIW. 12-speed DP with three pulleys and two belts. From
the time I opened the cover, loosened it up, looked at the chart and
thought for a moment about what speed to go for, set it up and closed the
cover, it was 25 seconds.

Takes longer to change jigs/vices/fences. I spend a lot of time changing
setups. I'm thinking about experimenting with jigs that are permanently
affixed to their own little flange doodads so I can just swap out
pre-mounted jigs and save effort.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
Confirmed post number: 17242 Approximate word count: 517260
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

yeah, I definitely spend more time getting the piece aligned to the bit
with various fences, clamps, etc. Moving the belts once in a while is
just not an issue.

dave

Silvan wrote:
Bay Area Dave wrote:


I might change speeds on my DP about every 6 bit changes, so it isn't a
big deal. for the price difference, I can make a lot of belt changes.
and good grief, it only takes a couple of moments. certainly less than
a minute.


I timed myself, FWIW. 12-speed DP with three pulleys and two belts. From
the time I opened the cover, loosened it up, looked at the chart and
thought for a moment about what speed to go for, set it up and closed the
cover, it was 25 seconds.

Takes longer to change jigs/vices/fences. I spend a lot of time changing
setups. I'm thinking about experimenting with jigs that are permanently
affixed to their own little flange doodads so I can just swap out
pre-mounted jigs and save effort.

Why do most people seem either to not know of or not posess a
cross-vise or indexing vise? I love mine. It takes away all the little
tapping and cussing normally associated with aligning something.
Grizzlty has one for around $60 and while it is not a work of art, it
surely takes a lot of hassle out of drilling.




On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 23:09:28 GMT, Bay Area Dave
wrote:

yeah, I definitely spend more time getting the piece aligned to the bit
with various fences, clamps, etc. Moving the belts once in a while is
just not an issue.

dave

Silvan wrote:
Bay Area Dave wrote:


I might change speeds on my DP about every 6 bit changes, so it isn't a
big deal. for the price difference, I can make a lot of belt changes.
and good grief, it only takes a couple of moments. certainly less than
a minute.


I timed myself, FWIW. 12-speed DP with three pulleys and two belts. From
the time I opened the cover, loosened it up, looked at the chart and
thought for a moment about what speed to go for, set it up and closed the
cover, it was 25 seconds.

Takes longer to change jigs/vices/fences. I spend a lot of time changing
setups. I'm thinking about experimenting with jigs that are permanently
affixed to their own little flange doodads so I can just swap out
pre-mounted jigs and save effort.

Ramsey wrote:


Why do most people seem either to not know of or not posess a
cross-vise or indexing vise? I love mine. It takes away all the little
tapping and cussing normally associated with aligning something.
Grizzlty has one for around $60 and while it is not a work of art, it
surely takes a lot of hassle out of drilling.

It's one of the many things I have to swap out. If I need to do a big
piece, it has to come off.

Actually, that gizmo is the main reason why I traded up for a big DP. On a
benchtop, it just ate so much room that I couldn't do much with it.

As it turned out, I bought a DP without really doing the mental spatial
relationship thing. It has a T-slot table, and there was no way I could
bolt that thing to it without the bolts completely getting in the way. So
I cobbled together this horror out of a couple piece of angle iron and a
couple pieces of steel plate all bolted and pop riveted together (I can't
weld) as an adapter.

It works, but the assembly is extremely heavy. Once the fancy vise comes
off, it takes me awhile to get around to putting it back on.

Otherwise, yes, I absolutely love the thing. It makes it easy for my son to
do stuff with the DP too. I'll mark spots and let him crank around until
he has drilled all the holes. Fun for him, and less work for Daddy.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
Confirmed post number: 17246 Approximate word count: 517380
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/