Replies

1. 
   gweb | Feb 14, 2011 06:20pm | #1

   Hello KaiserRoo

   First, a little background info. I'm not sure if you've heard this or not but Delta has been bought and sold twice recently. It's also rumored that Delta has began having it's tools manufactured in China. In recent years, China has become notorious for manufacturing all sorts of items in an inferior way. My point is that the stability of Delta doesn't seem to be a strong as it once was.

   Beyond these management moves, Delta has seemed to break the mold with this 17" DP along with thier new 18" model. The main difference is that the table was designed with the Woodworker in mind. Historically, DP's were designed for machinists. Of the two DP's here, despite the recent management changes with Delta, I'd take the Delta. Both of these DP's are very similar but in the end, the Delta's table, being able to tilt in both directions and forward, along with the insert, are the biggest differentiator from the Jet. You'll probably want to add and auxillary table anyway and in this event, the Delta makes it much easier to do this versus trying to fit an add-on table to a round table like the one on the Jet.

   However, another DP I think you should consider is the Steel City. Steel City's management and founders are the former long-time senior managers at Delta before all the corporate shake-ups. It's a little more expensive (but not much) and offers all the same features of the Jet and Delta but, it has a 6" QUILL STROKE! WOW! This is unheard of in a 17" DP.

   I'm not sure if you're close to a Woodcraft outlet or if you're going to mail order and have to pay shipping but either way, I know that, despite the Steel City model not being in the Woodcraft catalog or website, they will still be able to get the machine to sell to you. At least, my local Woodcraft offered this to me anyway. If not, Highland Woodworking sells this machine from their website.

   Good luck and measure twice, cut once.

1. 
   KaiserRoo | Feb 14, 2011 08:52pm | #3

   thanks for the DP info

   Thanks for the info, I'll have to look into the steel city and see if they can get it at Woodcraft and how much it will cost. I think they had a general there but not sure. Is the Jet product also from China?

   KaiserRoo

1. 
   ckm | Feb 15, 2011 03:08am | #6

   Delta, Powermatic, Steel City, Jet, Rikon, Grizzly are all built or sourced in China or Taiwan.  To find something actually made in the US you'd have to step up to something like a Clausing, http://www.clausing-industrial.com/Products/Drills/Clausing/20in.htm

2. 
   9619 | Feb 14, 2011 08:18pm | #2

   Kaiser,

   I bought the new Delta 18" drill press a number of months ago.  I know that Delta was sold.  Too bad, but it wouldn't have affected my decision.   I have had a Sears Craftsman drill press since about 1970.  I gave it away when I got my new Delta.      I love the drill press.  BIG TABLE that tilts both East West and North South, and goes up and down with a crank.  IT is easy to change speeds. It is Quite powerful.  It has a long throw. It is made like a battleship.   Ain't gonna break any time soon.    It costs more than the smaller models, but the difference is worth it.

   Let me know if you have any specific questions.  I give an unqualified recommendation to the big 18" Delta drill press.  By the way, FWW did too in a recent issue.    

   Have fun. 

   Mel

1. 
   KaiserRoo | Feb 14, 2011 08:53pm | #4

   good info

   Thanks for taking the time to reply. If I have any other questions I'll let you know.

   KaiserRoo

1. 
   gweb | Feb 14, 2011 10:46pm | #5

   KaiserRoo

   Regarding your question about the Jet being made in China. That I do not know.

   I do conquer with the gentleman replying about the 18" Delta. What I've read and heard about the new 18" Delta has been impressive.

   Highland Woodworking lists two 17" DP's. One is a variable speed which means you don't have to open the cover and manually place the belts on different pulleys to change the speed. You can do this from levers on the outside of the housing. This one is listed for $599 and is rated for 1 horsepower. The other, which is the conventional type where you have to open the housing to manually place the drive belts on diffterent pulleys to change speeds is listed for $549 and is 3/4 horsepower. BTW-changing the speed in the conventional way of moving the drive belts by hand is simple. And 3/4 HP is plenty enough power so I'd go for the less expensive of the two, especially if you're only using it for woodworking. Machinery work is another story.

   Also, if you ask your local  Woodcraft if they can get the Steel City, tell them the price at HH (without shipping costs) and I'm sure the'll price match. My local Woodcraft did for me.