Official Luthiers Forum!

A guy I know has offered to give me his Delta drill press for free. I don't know what model it is, but he tells me it is a large, floor standing model and that it was "top of the line" when he bought it 10-15 years ago. I would jump at the deal, but he also tells me that rust got after it while in storage and that the press will likely need a head and chuck replacement, plus some general surface rust removal. I've been wanting a drill press, but thought I'd ask a couple of questions here before deciding what to do:

1. Would you tackle this project?
2. How expensive are replacement parts likely to run?
3. If I bring it home, is my wife going to kill me?

Thanks in advance,

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George :-)

Why don't you eyeball it first, and see how bad it really is?
After all, it's just a drill press - not a milling machine.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Unless it's sat next to the ocean & been subjected to continuous salt spray, get it. I doubt it needs any replacement parts, probably just a good cleaning. Single edge razor blades are good for starting to get the rust off flat surfaces like the table.

If you have to replace the chuck, an import chuck can be had for under $50 but I don't know which one to get. A nice Jacobs chuck will set you back about $100 or more, but there's always Ebay.

If it's free, get the drill press!

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

Free is my favorite price, a little work and some oil should make it great.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Your wife will kill you only if you sugguest she help you load or unload it and or clean it up.
When you tell her you were going to spend X and now you spent nothing, "look how much money I saved, it didn't cost US anything"

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

I would want to look at it , but unless its been OUT IN the weather it should be fairly easy to clean and repair . As has been said already it probably wont need parts , if a new chuck is needed , u can get that under $100 if you shop around.

As for your wife , Well , only if she can run faster than you !

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The Shallower the depth of the stream , The Louder the Babble !
The Taking Of Offense Is the Life Course Of The Stupid One !
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Never met a STRONG person who had an EASY past !
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Thanks for the replies, fellas. My friend sent me some pics and the model number is 17-900. He says that after closer inspection he doesn't think it will need any new parts and the surface rust is pretty minor. Best news is that the machine is running just fine and he's going to deliver it, too! Looks like I'm getting a drill press. Woo hoo!

My wife loves free stuff, so this should be okay. If not, well, I may have lost a step, but I can still outrun her.

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George :-)

Free & delivered?
I think I feel sick.

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

Free and delivered.....go buy a lottery ticket.

Paul

IF...when it gets there...you see there isn't room in your shop....just continue the free shipping method to:

Kent

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Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

Please forgive my hijack, but I find myself in a similar position, having just inherited my father's old drill press. It has a fair amount of rust on it, which I'm hoping to be able to remove. How does one go about removing rust from the outer surfaces after having used a single edge razor to scrape off as much as possible?

Naval jelly. That's naval with an 'a'.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I will save you by stopping by and taking it off your hand. Delta tools are like rockwell . You won the lottery on this my friend.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

There are an awful lot of total crap new drill presses out there... An old & trusty Delta is worth a bit of dirt under your fingernails!
Yup... Naval jelly. Just don't get the stuff in your eyes!
When I was a kid, i used to rebuild bicycles. Coca Cola did a great job removing surface rust.