A Closer Look at the Delta 12-Inch Drill Press, Model 11-990
You find a Delta 12-inch drill press, model 11-990, sitting under a tarp at a garage sale. The seller says it was their father’s and it “still runs great.” You plug it in, the motor spins up smooth and quiet, and the table has that heavy cast-iron feel. Now you have to decide whether this old benchtop is a smart buy or a project that will eat your weekends.
I have used presses like this one, and I like the 11-990 for what it is. It is a compact, well-built benchtop press meant for wood shops and general shop work. It is not a metal-drilling powerhouse, and it has one quirk that frustrates some owners. Here is the full picture.
The short answer
The Delta 11-990 is a 12-inch benchtop drill press with a 1/3 HP motor that runs at about 1,720 RPM on 115-volt household power. It uses a step-pulley belt drive for its speeds and takes a 1/2-inch keyed chuck. The 12-inch swing lets you reach the center of a 12-inch-wide board.
For furniture makers, hobbyists, and general shop users, it is a solid daily press. Owners who drill big holes in steel or need long, deep plunges will find its short quill travel limiting.
What you get with the 11-990
The heart of this press is a cast-iron head and table that keep vibration down. The table tilts for angled work and has slots and side edges for clamping. That heavy table is a real advantage for accurate holes.
Speed changes happen by moving the belt on stepped pulleys, not with a dial. You lift the guard, shift the belt, and set tension with the motor bracket. Speed counts vary a little across production types, and the machine is most often described as a five-speed.
A nice touch from the factory: the 11-990 came with a magnetic-base work lamp and a small utility tray that clamps to the column for keeping bits and the chuck key close. Not every used unit still has these, so ask.
Where it does well
Woodworking is its comfort zone. The 1/3 HP motor spins twist bits, brad points, and small to medium Forstner bits cleanly. The steady 1,720 RPM base and the belt speeds give you a usable range for most shop tasks.
It is also easy to maintain. The belt drive is simple, the head is a manageable weight for a benchtop, and parts diagrams are still available. Clean the column, wax the table, fit a fresh belt, and one of these can serve for years.
The honest flaws, and who should skip it
Quill travel is the sore spot. Owners commonly report a stroke of roughly 2-3/8 inches, and some call it around 2.5 inches. Either way, it is short. Deep holes mean lowering the table and re-drilling, which is slow and can cost you alignment.
The 1/3 HP motor also sets a ceiling. Large hole saws and big bits in hardwood will bog it. Metalworkers who want a slow spindle for large steel holes will want more power and a lower low speed.
Skip the 11-990 if you need deep plunges, big-diameter bits, or heavy metal drilling. Buy it if your work is wood and general shop tasks and you value a heavy, accurate benchtop that you can keep running.
The 11-990 next to a bigger floor press
| Feature | Delta 11-990 (bench) | Typical 16-inch floor press |
|---|---|---|
| Swing | 12 inches | 16 to 17 inches |
| Motor | 1/3 HP | 3/4 HP and up |
| Quill travel | about 2-3/8 inches | 3-1/4 inches and up |
| Footprint | benchtop | floor standing |
| Best use | wood, light shop work | wider stock, metal, big bits |
Buying a used 11-990: what to check
Run the motor first. It should start without hesitation and settle into a quiet, steady hum. A buzz, a hot smell, or a slow start points to motor or capacitor trouble.
Turn the spindle by hand for smoothness, then pull the quill down and release it. It should return on its own from a healthy spring. Watch the chuck for runout as it spins; a wobbling bit can mean a tired chuck or a bent spindle.
Inspect the belt for cracks and glazing, and check that the table lock and tilt hold firm. Look for the original work lamp and tray, since those add real value if present.
Parts and where owners find them
The 11-990 is long out of production, so plan on aftermarket and OEM-surplus parts. Sears PartsDirect and OEM parts sellers list diagrams for the 11-990 by type, which helps you match the right belt, spring, or switch. Delta’s own instruction manual (part number 903709) covers assembly, speeds, and adjustments and is easy to find online.
The most common wear item is the drive belt. Match the belt to your press by size, since types differ slightly. A correct-fit replacement, like this drive belt made for the Delta 11-990, gets a rough-running press smooth again. Confirm your type before ordering, because a belt that is too long will not tension properly.
Accessories worth adding
A vise pays off fast for repeat holes and metal. The WEN 3-inch drill press vise bolts to the slotted table and holds small parts safely. Its low jaws are not ideal for tall stock, so keep clamps handy.
If your original lamp is gone, a magnetic-base LED work light clamps or sticks to the head and lights your layout lines. The flexible neck can sag over time under vibration, so nudge it back into place.
Losing the chuck key is a rite of passage. Match the number stamped on your chuck, then replace it. Many chucks this size accept a Jacobs K3 chuck key, but verify your stamped number so the pilot seats correctly.
The verdict
The Delta 11-990 is a heavy, accurate benchtop press that rewards wood shops and general users, held back only by a short quill stroke and modest power. Bought clean, it is a machine you keep.
Your quick takeaways:
- Treat it as a wood and light-shop press, not a metal or deep-hole machine.
- Expect roughly 2-3/8 inches of quill travel and plan deep holes around it.
- Check spindle smoothness, quill return, and chuck runout before buying used.
- Match belts and the chuck key to your exact press type to avoid returns.
FAQ
How much horsepower is the Delta 11-990? It has a 1/3 HP motor running at about 1,720 RPM on 115-volt power. That suits wood and light shop drilling more than heavy metal work.
How many speeds does the 11-990 have? It is a step-pulley belt-drive press, most often described as a five-speed. You change speeds by moving the belt across the pulleys, and speed counts can vary slightly by production type.
What is the quill travel on the 11-990? Owners report roughly 2-3/8 inches, with some measuring close to 2.5 inches. Either way, the stroke is short, so deep holes need you to reposition the table.
What chuck does it use? The 11-990 takes a 1/2-inch (13mm) keyed chuck. Confirm the arbor taper if you plan to swap chucks so the new one seats properly.
Where do I get a replacement belt? Order a belt matched to your press type. Aftermarket belts made for the 11-990 are available, and confirming your type prevents a too-long or too-short fit.
Is the Delta 11-990 a good drill press? For woodworking and general shop use, yes. It is heavy, accurate, and repairable. Its short quill travel and 1/3 HP motor are the main limits.
Does it drill metal? It handles small metal holes with sharp bits and cutting oil. For large steel holes you want a slower spindle and more power than this press offers.
How do I find parts and the manual? Delta’s instruction manual, part number 903709, is available online, and OEM parts sellers list diagrams for the 11-990 by type to help you match components.
References
- Delta Model 11-990 instruction manual (part number 903709), Delta Machinery: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/754792/Delta-11-990.html
- Sears PartsDirect, Delta 11-990 12-inch drill press parts and diagrams: https://www.searspartsdirect.com/model/ulysp6zpdj-001667/delta-11-990-drill-press-parts
