Photo Index - Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl. - 17-205 with Power Feed

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Delta Specialty/Delta Mfg. Co./Delta-Rockwell/Rockwell Intl.
Milwaukee, WI; Jackson, TN; Tupelo, MS

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery & Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Drill Press
Machine Size:	17"
Submitted By:	Andrew Lynch

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	17-205 with Power Feed
Date of Manufacturer:	1945
Serial Number:	37-4554
Last Updated	1/21/2018 2:41:56 AM

Comments:

We purchased this monster 30 years ago from the son of an electrician who owned this, (and a 880 Metal Band Saw). Who owned it before him is unknown but as this is an old Railroad town it was full of fabrication shops. We very rarely used it at the shop. I did use it to drill precise depth holes for T-nuts on a Pinewood derby track that I built 20 years ago. I was amazed at the Power Feed feature that was on this drill. Later, I saw a wood show that used the Delta 17-924 Mortising Kit and that was it, I had to have that for mine. Oops! Did you see the price of these? Luckily I finally ran into one on clearance,(seems like I'm not the only one to stop at the price). But of course we can see from the pictures that this is a Metal Production with the DP610S 2MT Quill. I needed the DP700S 1/2 Jacobs Chuck Spindle. (yes, yes, ignorant me did write to Delta - how was I to know that it was built in 1945) I then was lucky to find this site and the wealth of information. But, alas, the DP700S Quill is almost impossible to find. So, my project went on the back burner for years until I started to see that people were specializing in selling parts for these old machines from broken ones that they find. So I contacted one who presented his wares nicer and told him what I was hunting for. Amazing luck he came across one 2 weeks later.
Everything on the machine functioned but some were very close to failing due to age and neglect. Most of the bearings just needed cleaned and repacked. I did have a lot of troubles with some moving pieces until I realized that most of these parts needed to be polished so that they could "float" through their fittings. (No, that big bolt is NOT tight-just snugged).
I did have a semi disaster with the Power Feed unit and watched an irreplaceable coupler disintegrate before my eyes; luckily I was able to repair it. We also repaired the Belt Cover so that it now works the way that Delta designed it. (which is smart that you don't have the cover on the floor of a shop to be run over)
Yes, I know that is the only white cover that I have seen but that is the color that it was, (my acetone burnt skin can attest; I wiped everything down for this reason, found that the motor was not green with paint, just age.)
So, I can FINALLY use my Mortising Kit? Nope, seems that this version was made for the newer press that have smaller diameter quills. So I either have to make a 1/8 spacer or get Delta to answer my question as to the thickness of the 3 extra spacers in the T2 version of this kit. And of course I am now in the process of designing and building a table to mount on it for wood projects.

Photo 1:

Comments: Finished? With 1/2 Jacobs
Source: AML

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Photo 2:

Comments: As Purchased 30 years ago.
Source: AML

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Photo 3:

Comments: 1945 Serial Plate
Source: AML

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Photo 4:

Comments: DP610S 2MT Quill and 1026 Vise
Source: AML

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Photo 5:

Comments: Power Feed Unit
Source: AML

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Photo 6:

Comments: Belt Gaurd (holder repaired)
Source: AML

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