The Delta 16-1/2 Drill Press: What It Is and How to Keep It Running

Search for a “Delta 16-1/2 drill press” and you are almost certainly looking at the Delta 17-900, a 16-1/2-inch floor-standing press that Delta sold for years and that turns up constantly on the used market. It is a machine a lot of people own, inherited, or are eyeing at an estate sale, and the questions are always the same: what exactly is it, is it any good, and can I still get parts for it? All three have good answers. Here is what the Delta 16-1/2 is and how to keep one running for the long haul.

The Delta 16-1/2 drill press is the Delta 17-900, a 16-1/2-inch floor-standing press with a 3/4-HP motor (115/230V), 12 speeds from 250 to 3,000 RPM, an MT2 spindle taper, about 3-3/8 inches of quill travel, a 5/8-inch chuck capacity, a 12-by-12-inch table, a 3-inch column, and a weight around 250 pounds. It is discontinued but well supported for parts.

Short answer: the Delta 16-1/2 (the 17-900) is a solid mid-size cast-iron floor press with a 3/4-HP motor and a 12-speed range that covers wood and light metal, and although it is discontinued, it is easy to keep running because common parts like the chuck are available and Delta parts support through Sears PartsDirect is strong. Buy or keep one with confidence if it is in good condition. Here is the detail.

What the Delta 16-1/2 (17-900) is

The 17-900 is a proper floor-standing drill press sized in the useful middle of the market:

• 16-1/2-inch swing: Reaches the center of a 16-1/2-inch workpiece, genuine floor-press capacity for larger work than a benchtop handles.
• 3/4-HP motor, 115/230V: Enough power for woodworking and light-to-moderate metal drilling.
• 12 speeds, 250 to 3,000 RPM: A wide belt-position range, from slow speeds for large bits and metal to fast speeds for small bits in wood.
• MT2 spindle, 5/8-inch chuck: Standard, capable tooling.
• About 3-3/8 inches of quill travel and a 12-by-12-inch table on a 3-inch column.
• Around 250 pounds of cast iron for stability.

That combination, floor-press swing, a real 3/4-HP motor, and a 12-speed range, is exactly what makes the 17-900 a versatile general-purpose shop press. It is closely related to other Delta floor models (such as the 17965 and 1312023 in the same family), so identifying yours precisely by number helps with parts.

Is it any good?

Yes, for what it is: a well-built cast-iron floor press from Delta’s catalog. The 12-speed range is genuinely useful, covering the speeds you need for wood and light metal, and the 3/4-HP motor drives reasonable bit sizes without complaint. The cast-iron mass keeps it stable and cuts vibration. It is not a variable-speed or high-power machine, but as a do-most-things floor press, it earned its long production run. Our Delta drill press models and parts guide places it in the broader Delta range.

How to keep one running

This is the reassuring part. Even though the 17-900 is discontinued, keeping it running is straightforward:

Chuck. The 5/8-inch chuck is the most common wear item, and replacements that fit the 17-900 are available, including on Amazon: a replacement chuck that fits the Delta 17-900. A worn or sloppy chuck is the usual cause of a wobbling bit and an easy fix.

Belt. A 12-speed press uses a V-belt that eventually cracks with age. It is an inexpensive, guaranteed-eventual replacement; match it to the model.

Parts and diagrams. Delta parts support runs through Sears PartsDirect, which lists diagrams and parts by model number, so record your 17-900 (and note related numbers like 17965 or 1312023 if they appear). Our Delta drill press replacement parts guide covers ordering.

Springs, switch, pulleys. Standard wear parts are model-listed and orderable, so a full refurbishment is realistic.

What to check before buying used

• Spindle runout: Spin a bit by hand and watch the tip; wobble is usually a worn chuck (cheap) or a bent arbor/worn spindle (bigger job).
• Quill action: Smooth full travel with a clean spring return.
• Motor: Quiet, smooth start under load.
• Belt: Expect to replace an old, cracked V-belt.
• Table and column: Firm locking, no deep rust affecting flatness or height adjustment.

A 17-900 that passes and needs only a chuck and belt is a good buy.

The honest trade-offs

Belt-change speeds. Twelve speeds set by moving the belt, no variable-speed dial. The range is wide, but you open the cover to change it.

Discontinued. No new-machine warranty, and you rely on the (good) parts network rather than current production.

3/4-HP ceiling. Ample for wood and light metal, but not a heavy metal-production machine.

The verdict

The Delta 16-1/2 drill press, the 17-900, is a versatile, well-built cast-iron floor press: a 16-1/2-inch swing, a 3/4-HP motor, and a 12-speed 250-to-3,000-RPM range that handles wood and light metal with ease. Its best quality for a used buyer is how easy it is to keep running, the common chuck and belt are readily available (the chuck even on Amazon), and Delta parts support through Sears PartsDirect covers the rest by model number. Buy or keep one in good condition with confidence; just expect belt-change speeds and plan on a fresh chuck and belt if it has seen years of use.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Delta 16-1/2 drill press? It is the Delta 17-900, a 16-1/2-inch floor-standing press with a 3/4-HP motor, 12 speeds from 250 to 3,000 RPM, an MT2 spindle, a 5/8-inch chuck, a 12-by-12-inch table, and a weight around 250 pounds.

Is the Delta 17-900 drill press any good? Yes. It is a well-built cast-iron floor press with a versatile 12-speed range and a 3/4-HP motor that handles woodworking and light metal drilling well. It is a capable general-purpose shop machine.

Can you still get parts for a Delta 16-1/2 drill press? Yes. Although discontinued, common parts like the 5/8-inch chuck and the V-belt are readily available (the chuck on Amazon), and Delta parts support runs through Sears PartsDirect by model number.

What speeds does the Delta 17-900 have? Twelve speeds spanning 250 to 3,000 RPM, set by moving the belt on the stepped pulleys, from slow speeds for large bits and metal to fast speeds for small bits in wood.

What chuck fits the Delta 17-900 drill press? A 5/8-inch replacement chuck sized for the 17-900 fits, and options are available including on Amazon. Confirm the MT2 arbor taper when buying a chuck or arbor.

What should I check when buying a used Delta 16-1/2 drill press? Spindle runout, quill action, motor sound, belt condition, and table and column locking and rust. A machine needing only a chuck and belt is a good value.

Does the Delta 16-1/2 have variable speed? No. It is a 12-speed stepped-pulley machine, so you change speed by moving the belt rather than turning a variable-speed dial. The 12-speed range is wide enough for most work.

References

• Delta Machinery, drill press documentation: https://www.deltamachinery.com
• Sears PartsDirect, Delta 17-900 drill press parts and diagrams: https://www.searspartsdirect.com
• VintageMachinery.org, Delta drill press manuals: https://vintagemachinery.org