Delta 11-985 Drill Press: What Owners Need to Know

The Delta 11-985 drill press is a small 10-inch benchtop machine that shows up often at estate sales, in old workshops, and in the hands of owners trying to figure out what they have. It was a light-duty press Delta built for homeowners, and it is perfectly capable within its lane. The catch that trips people up is parts: many components for the 11-985 are discontinued, so owning one well means knowing what still fits, what to substitute, and where the machine’s real limits are. If you have one or are thinking about buying one, here is what you need to know.

The Delta 11-985 drill press is a 10-inch benchtop drilling machine with a 1/4-HP 115V motor, 5 belt-driven speeds, a small cast-iron table, a roughly 2-1/4-inch quill stroke, and a light chuck, built for light drilling in wood, plastic, and thin metal, with many original parts now discontinued.

Short answer: the Delta 11-985 is a light-duty 10-inch benchtop press good for small bits in wood and thin metal. Its 1/4-HP motor and short stroke are the real limits, and because many parts are discontinued, owners should identify the model and type number, substitute matched generic belts and chucks where possible, and buy used examples only in complete, working condition. Here is the detail.

What the 11-985 is

The 11-985 is one of Delta’s smallest benchtop presses. Its specifications place it firmly in light-duty territory:

• 1/4-HP 115V motor: Among the lightest drill press motors, sized for small bits.
• 10-inch swing (5 inches bit-to-column), for centering a hole in a 10-inch workpiece.
• 5 belt-driven speeds, set by moving the belt.
• Small cast-iron table (roughly 7-3/4 inches square) that tilts for angle drilling.
• Quill stroke around 2-1/4 inches and a light keyed chuck.
• Practical hole capacity of roughly 3/8 inch in steel, a good reminder of its class.

This is a machine for hobby drilling and household repair, not heavy work.

Who it suits

The 11-985 suits the owner who wants a compact, simple benchtop press for light tasks: small holes in wood, plastic, and thin metal, model work, and general repairs. If that is your work and you already own one or find a clean one, it does the job.

It does not suit anyone drilling large bits, hardwood in volume, or metal beyond thin stock. The 1/4-HP motor and short stroke are hard limits.

The parts situation owners must understand

Here is the part that catches owners off guard: many original 11-985 parts are discontinued. Delta and third-party parts sources (including specialists like M&M Tool Parts) list a number of components as no longer available. That means:

• Identify your model and type number from the ID plate before searching; the type number matters for which parts ever fit.
• Substitute where you can. A correctly sized V-belt and a matched 1/2-inch (or original-size) keyed chuck are the most common serviceable items and are widely available as generics.
• Some parts you cannot replace. Certain castings, pulleys, or springs may simply be unavailable. If those are damaged, the machine may not be worth restoring.
• Buy complete. Because you cannot count on parts, only buy a used 11-985 that is complete and running.

Our Delta drill press replacement parts guide explains how to search by model and type and what substitutes well.

Setting one up

• Mount it solidly to a sturdy bench.
• Square the table with a rod in the chuck and a square, in two directions.
• Set the belt speed to the bit and material.
• Use the depth stop for repeatable depths.
• Service the belt and chuck first; they are the parts you can still get.

The honest flaws

Very light power. At 1/4 HP, this is one of the least powerful presses Delta made. Large bits are out.

Short stroke. About 2-1/4 inches of travel means deep holes need the table reset.

Discontinued parts. Many components are no longer available, so damaged castings can end a machine.

Small capacity. A 10-inch swing and small table limit workpiece size.

How it compares

Against the larger Delta 11-990 12-inch, the 11-985 is smaller and lighter in every way, less swing, less power, less table. Against a current benchtop like the variable-speed WEN 4212T 10-inch, the WEN wins decisively on parts availability, a work light, variable speed, and a warranty; the 11-985’s only edge is cast-iron simplicity and used-market price. For most owners looking to buy today, a current benchtop is the more practical choice; the 11-985 makes sense mainly if you already own one and can keep it running. See the Delta tabletop drill press guide for where it sits in Delta’s benchtop range.

The verdict

The Delta 11-985 is a light-duty 10-inch benchtop press that does small-bit drilling in wood and thin metal perfectly well, and nothing heavier. The most important thing owners need to know is the parts situation: many original components are discontinued, so identify your model and type number, lean on serviceable substitutes like belts and chucks, and only buy used examples that are complete and working. If you already own a sound 11-985, keep it running for light tasks. If you are shopping for a light-duty press today, a current benchtop with full parts support and a warranty is the smarter buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the specs of the Delta 11-985 drill press? A 10-inch swing, a 1/4-HP 115V motor, 5 belt-driven speeds, a small cast-iron table around 7-3/4 inches square, a quill stroke near 2-1/4 inches, and a light keyed chuck, with a practical capacity around 3/8 inch in steel. It is a light-duty benchtop machine.

Can you still get parts for the Delta 11-985? Some parts, like a matched V-belt and chuck, are still available as generics, but many original components are discontinued. Identify your model and type number, substitute serviceable items, and be aware that damaged castings or unavailable parts can make a machine not worth restoring.

Is the Delta 11-985 good for metal? Only for thin metal with small bits at a slow speed. Its 1/4-HP motor and roughly 3/8-inch practical steel capacity are not suited to larger bits or heavy metal drilling.

How powerful is the Delta 11-985 drill press? It has a 1/4-HP motor, one of the lightest Delta used, sized for small bits in wood, plastic, and thin metal. Large-diameter bits and hardwood in volume will bog it.

Should I buy a used Delta 11-985? Only if it is complete and running, because many parts are discontinued. Check spindle runout, quill travel, motor sound, and that the chuck and table are intact. For a light-duty press bought today, a current benchtop is often more practical.

How many speeds does the Delta 11-985 have? Five belt-driven speeds set by moving the belt between pulley steps, not a variable-speed dial. Use slower speeds for larger bits and metal and faster speeds for small bits in wood.

What is the quill stroke on the Delta 11-985? Around 2-1/4 inches, which is short, so deep holes require repositioning the table. That is typical for a small light-duty benchtop press of this class.

References

• Delta Machinery, drill press models and parts support: https://www.deltamachinery.com
• M&M Tool Parts, Delta 11-985 parts availability: https://www.mmtoolparts.com
• Sears PartsDirect, Delta drill press parts by model and type: https://www.searspartsdirect.com