Photo Index - Delta / Rockwell Mfg / Rockwell-Delta - 17" Drill Press

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Delta / Rockwell Mfg / Rockwell-Delta
Milwaukee, WI; Pittsburgh, PA; Jackson, TN; Tupelo, MS

True Manufacturer:
Delta / Rockwell Mfg / Rockwell-Delta, Milwaukee, WI; Pittsburgh, PA; Jackson, TN; Tupelo, MS

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

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	17" Drill Press
Date of Manufacturer:	1950
Serial Number:	88-876
Last Updated	6/26/2026 5:06:11 PM

Comments:

I purchased this machine for $125 at Arnfest is 2012. It was in poor/fair condition and required a full restoration. The unit was stripped, primed and painted. The column was derusted using my metal lathe. All badges were present but had been painted over and needed to be restored. The press came with a wood workers table that was so full of holes that it was scrapped. The quill feed spokes appeared to be shop made but the threads were stripped. Other parts missing or broken included the table raising crank, the knurled feed depth adjustment nuts, the large art deco style wing nut on the quill return spring housing and the hold down knob and shaft for the belt guard. Surprisingly, the quill was in great shape with no broken teeth. All bearings were replaced throughout. The Jacobs chuck was rebuilt. The Delta motor was stripped and repainted and new bearings and a start capacitor were installed. Also sourced was a motor capacitor holder and a shaft condom. A Delta machinist table was found online as was a Delta wood worker table. The unit is wired for 110v and is properly grounded. An Allen-Bradley single pole switch was installed with a properly sized motor heater.

Photo 1:

Comments: Front of restored 17" Drill Press
Source: D. Alleman

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Photo 2:

Comments: Side of 17" Drill Press
Source: D. Alleman

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Photo 3:

Comments: Side of 17" Drill Press
Source: D. Alleman

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Photo 4:

Comments: Method used to derust and polish 17" Drill Press column
Source: D. Alleman

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Photo 5:

Comments: Quill feed spokes-knobs
Source: D. Alleman

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Photo 6:

Comments: New shop made quill downfeed spokes
Source: D. Alleman

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