Phil's Shop - Delta Drill Press Improvements

Take a look inside Phil Huber's home shop as he attempts to improve the performance of his vintage Delta Rockwell drill press. Hopefully, If you have an aging tool in your workshop that needs some TLC this video can provide some tips or inspiration to get it back to peak performance.
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[@floydolden6850]

Liked seeing your shop. How about a tour ?

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

That's on the list. I did one a few years ago. And a few things have changed.

[@woodtickgreg6926]

You got me thinking, lol. I think I have a couple of those small vises that I've acquired over the years. I think I need to choose one to put near the wood shop drill press. Thanks for the idea Phil.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

You're welcome. Those little vises are amazing. When I first got it, I thought "this is really small. AND it's just right" all at the same time.

[@salkabalani1482]

"Even though it can be a bit of a dust collector". Well, what isn't? 😁 Great video. Thanks Phil.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

I built a small cabinet that sits on the base of the drill press. All drawers. However I struggle between wanting stuff I use often out in the open for access ... or hidden away for a cleaner appearance and not as dusty. We'll see how this goes.

[@gordiecumming]

Nice drill. I recently inherited a 1942-43 Delta/Rockwell drill press. Works great, and needs some attention.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

Not trying to speak to every situation. But a drill press is a fairly simple machine. As I found, there's not much to do in order to boost it's performance.

[@kkarllwt]

80 year old grease will need attention.

[@alanross3435]

Thanks for the tips!

[@snitgu]

Thanks for the fun video. I got a good deal on a mid-90s Delta floor model drill press. Woodcraft had an aftermarket laser cross hair for drill pressed that I bought. After spending time to get it aligned I was really happy with it. The downside was that it ran on a 9 volt battery and I would occasionally forget to turn it off. My solution was to find a 9VDC charger in a bin at the thrift store for $1 and wire that on to replace the battery. No more dead batteries and it still working great after 3 years.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

That's a good idea. I have similar problems with the magnetic battery light on the drill press. In a cold shop, the batteries don't last long. I don't know they're dead until I need it.

[@rifficide]

This was very enjoyable to watch, thanks for sharing.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

Always a pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@Z22ZINFS]

GREAT VIDEO! As usual from Phil.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

Thank you. It's fun to share what goes on in my own shop and the similarities and differences from doing stuff in the Woodsmith Shop.

[@ericerf6837]

Personal Shop tours from all you guys would be nice….

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

I'd really like you all to see Logan's shop.

[@tpobrienjr]

Thanks for the tips. My small Delta bench drill press needs similar care.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

In my head, I "know" that all tools require care and attention. But for some reason, drill presses are the kind of tool that just runs fine ... all on its own.

[@garyreadler4886]

Nice video, thanks Phil.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

You're welcome.

[@kkarllwt]

On my 1978 15 delta press, the spindle down lock is the second bolt up. I have a nut/handle on the bolt that squeezes the split casting. The vintagemachinery web site should have pictures of these DPs.Maybe it pulls a tapered pin. I have never taken it apart.

[@dpmeyer4867]

good job

[@donalbershardt9290]

Sounds like the Quill Bearings are Showing Wear Good Video 👍

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

Could be. Runout is still pretty minimal.

[@2kidsnosleep]

Going to have to do some maintenance on my Delta drill press. It is rattly and loud and the quill seems looser than normal. They really don't like lateral pressure from sanding drums and such non vertical activities. Wil use some of your ideas here, thanks.

[@stephengee8944]

Need to wear a dust mask when blowing out all the fine dust! Love the leather washer idea!

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

I was surprised how much dust had settled back in there. I did that 3-4 times. So. Much. Dust.

[@farmboy5129]

Did you have a manual or documentation on the repairs or just wing it?

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

I had to dig around online to find the manual. That had some good ideas for maintenance and adjustments. Then I talked with Chris and Logan who have more experience with the innards of shop machines than I do.

[@GeraldJensen]

Any chance of swapping drill presses? Mine is a newer Chinese-manufactured model that is a real piece of junk. That Rockwell is built like a tank and with a little TLC, will serve you well for many years!

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

See. I was feeling a little drill press envy with some of the new machines we have in the shop at Woodsmith. I had upgraded to a keyless chuck several years ago. Variable speed would be nice. But now that my machine is running better. I'm impressed with the quality.

[@GeraldJensen]

@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine So you don't want to swap?! The variable speed on my drill press is worthless ... it has a Reeves drive and minimum speed is way too fast for large Forstner bits.

[@scotttovey]

Using a lubricant that has PTFE in it will reduce friction even further.

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

That's a good idea. Thanks.

[@scotttovey]

@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine 😎👍

[@ImRmd2]

Still sounds like you might have a bad bearing in your motor. 🔧

[@WoodsmithShowandmagazine]

Possibly. I'm going to see how this works for now. Then down the road look into new bearings. Lots of stuff on the list that demands attention from my wallet.

[@ImRmd2]

@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine List is always longer than wallet is deep. 🙂

[@kkarllwt]

For casual use bad bearings will last for years.

[@gregroberts8674]

I doubt I'm the first one to notice this.....but Phil's voice is an almost exact match to the late great comedian Sam Kinison. Not sure if Phil has the lungs to do the Sam Kinison yell, but if he does, he could make a career out of being a Sam Kinison impersonator! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIW3ZGelaLZ-h7s