Delta Model 32 Radial Drill Press?

I can't seem to find much info on this machine. Right now I can't envision the need to drill to the center of 32" stock, but if it does other DP tasks well I guess "more is better"...right?

Any opinions as to the usefulness/quality of this machine for a woodshop?

JP

Reply to
Jay Pique
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I have one and find it quite useful. Most of the time I keep the Ram right up against the column and use it as a regular dp. however, it is nice to be able to extend the ram and drill into a large piece or rotate the head and use it like a gun drill on very large workpieces.

the only down side is that because it has a ram mounted drill head it is not quite as rigid as a standard dp. and becomes somewhat less rigid as the ram extended.

Quality of mine is excellent, however, my unit is one of the older US made versions.

Frank

Reply to
Frank Boettcher

I had one of these and the previous owner had put a washing machine motor on it (1hp 3450 rpm vs 1/3 hp 1725 rpm). The motor was too big and wouldn't allow me to move the belts (he just drilled out cabinet door mortices for blum hinges). It was a nice machine but because of the modifications it was no longer as useful and I couldn't slow it down (the 3450rpm didn't help with that either). I've seen several of these in our local paper with 1hp motors listed, so be sure yours isn't modified such that you can't move the belts from pulley to pulley.

I ended up selling mine and buying a 16.5" fixed head and have been happy as pie ever since.

Oh, one other thing worth noting is the footprint it takes in your garage. Because of the size of the head it requires a stand with splayed legs and ends up taking up about 2' x 4' on the floor versus like 1.5' x 2' (or whatever, you get the idea -- it was a pain having to try and walk around the base of that thing, I really like the small footprint my current DP uses).

Good luck, Mike

Reply to
Mike in Idaho

Well I didn't get the Model 32, but I *did* get a drill press. And it's big. Once I get it back to the "shop" I'll post the specs.

JP

Reply to
Jay Pique

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