Need a Delta Drill Press 11-950 Manual? Check the Model and Revision First
The delta drill press 11-950 manual is freely available as a PDF download, and you can have it in front of you in about two minutes. The harder question is whether the manual you pull actually matches the version of the machine sitting on your bench. The Delta 11-950 went through more than one revision, and a mismatch between your Type and the manual’s Type can lead you to wrong speed settings, wrong belt positions, or wrong part numbers. Here is what you need to know before you start.
What Is the Delta 11-950?
The Delta 11-950 is an 8-inch benchtop drill press. Confirmed specifications from the official instruction manual (Part No. 900591):
- Swing: 8 inches
- Spindle speeds: 5 speeds: 620, 1100, 1720, 2340, and 3100 RPM
- Motor: 110-120V, 60 Hz, single-phase; no-load speed of 1725 RPM
- Quill travel: 2 inches
- Voltage: 120V standard household circuit
This is an entry-level benchtop machine. It works well for light woodworking and hobby tasks, but its 2-inch quill travel is a hard ceiling on what you can accomplish in thicker stock.
Where to Download the Delta 11-950 Manual
The official instruction manual for the Delta 11-950 carries Part No. 900591. Two reliable free PDF sources:
- mikestools.com: Direct download at mikestools.com/download/Delta_Drill_Press_Owners_Manuals/Delta_11-950.pdf
- delta.manymanuals.com: Browse and download at delta.manymanuals.com/power-tools/11-950
- ManualsLib: Full manual browsable online at manualslib.com (search “Delta 11-950”)
All three sources host the same base document. Download it, print the speed chart page, and tape it inside the belt guard.
What the Manual Covers
The Delta 11-950 manual is a practical document, not a thorough engineering reference. It covers:
- Assembly: Column mounting, table installation, chuck installation using the included chuck key and arbor
- Speed chart: The five spindle speeds and which pulley step combination produces each one
- Belt tension adjustment: How to loosen the motor pivot, reposition the belt, and retension
- Chuck installation: Seating the chuck arbor into the spindle with a firm strike using a wooden mallet
- Safety rules: Pre-operation checks, workpiece clamping, and proper spindle speed selection for material type
- Parts list: Numbered diagram with OEM part numbers for both Type 1 and (where applicable) Type 2 components
- Wiring diagram: Grounding instructions and extension cord guidance
The speed chart is the page most owners reach for most often. The five speeds cover a useful range for drilling wood: 620 RPM is slow enough for large spade bits and hole saws, and 3100 RPM handles small-diameter bits in soft material without burning.
Why the Type Number Matters Before You Follow Any Instruction
Delta revised the 11-950 during its production run. The revision is designated as Type 1 or Type 2 on the nameplate, a metal plate affixed to the head or column. Some components, particularly the motor and the V-belt, changed between Types:
- Early Type (smooth motor barrel): Requires an early-model V-belt designed to work with the smooth-sided motor housing.
- Current Type (motor with external fan): Requires a V-belt matched to the fan-equipped motor.
The parts list in the manual notes this distinction explicitly. If you pull a belt from a supplier without knowing your Type, you may receive a belt that will not seat correctly on the motor pulley.
Before doing anything else: Find the nameplate on your 11-950 and write down the Type number. Then open the parts list section of the manual and cross-reference your Type to the correct part numbers.
Understanding the Five Speeds
The 11-950’s five speeds come from positioning a single V-belt across five pulley step combinations on the motor and spindle pulleys. The confirmed speeds are:
| Speed Setting | Spindle RPM |
|---|---|
| 1 (slowest) | 620 |
| 2 | 1,100 |
| 3 | 1,720 |
| 4 | 2,340 |
| 5 (fastest) | 3,100 |
A general guide for speed selection: larger bits and harder materials call for slower speeds. For a 1/2-inch bit in hardwood, 620 or 1,100 RPM is appropriate. For a 1/8-inch bit in softwood or thin material, 2,340 to 3,100 RPM works well. The manual includes a speed selection table, but experience and the material’s response to the bit are your best real-time feedback.
What to Do When the Manual Doesn’t Match Your Machine
If you find that the parts diagram in the manual does not match what you see on your machine, there are two likely explanations:
- You have a different Type. Check the nameplate Type number and compare it to the manual’s Type designation on the cover or parts list header.
- You have a different variant. Some 11-950 units were sold with slight manufacturing differences that are not captured in a single-revision manual.
In either case, the fix is the same: contact eReplacementParts.com or mmtoolparts.com with your Type number, and ask for the parts diagram specific to that revision. Both sites maintain separate diagrams for Type 1 and Type 2 where applicable.
Honest Flaw: The 2-Inch Quill Travel
The 11-950’s quill travel of 2 inches is the machine’s most significant limitation, and no manual, upgrade, or adjustment changes it. If you need to drill through stock thicker than roughly 1-1/2 inches in a single plunge, the 11-950 will require you to flip the workpiece, reposition, and plunge again. For cabinet-making, through-mortises, or any serious joinery work, this becomes genuinely frustrating.
Who Should Skip the 11-950 and Consider Something Else
If you need more than 2 inches of quill travel for any regular task, the 11-950 is the wrong machine. A modern alternative worth considering is the WEN 4208T, an 8-speed benchtop drill press with a larger quill travel that addresses the depth limitation directly. It runs on the same 120V household circuit and takes up a comparable footprint.
Comparison: Delta 11-950 vs. WEN 4208T
| Feature | Delta 11-950 | WEN 4208T |
|---|---|---|
| Swing | 8 inches | 8 inches |
| Spindle speeds | 5 | 8 |
| Quill travel | 2 inches | 3-1/8 inches |
| Voltage | 120V | 120V |
| Parts availability | Limited OEM | Current production |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Delta 11-950 manual Part No. 900591? It is available as a free PDF at mikestools.com and delta.manymanuals.com. ManualsLib also hosts it online.
How many speeds does the Delta 11-950 have? Five: 620, 1,100, 1,720, 2,340, and 3,100 RPM.
How do I change the speed on my Delta 11-950? Unplug the drill press, open the belt guard, loosen the motor tension knob, slide the motor forward to release belt tension, reposition the belt to the desired pulley step, re-tension the motor, and tighten the tension knob. The speed chart in the manual or on the inside of the guard shows which step combination produces each speed.
What is the quill travel on the Delta 11-950? Exactly 2 inches. This is the machine’s primary limitation for deep-hole drilling.
What does Type 1 vs Type 2 mean on the Delta 11-950? It refers to a manufacturing revision. Some parts, particularly the motor and V-belt, differ between Types. Always match parts to your specific Type, found on the nameplate.
Can I find OEM parts for my Delta 11-950? Some OEM parts remain available through eReplacementParts.com, mmtoolparts.com, and PartSelect.com. Many are discontinued; aftermarket and old-stock options fill the gap.
What voltage does the Delta 11-950 require? Standard 110-120V, 60 Hz single-phase household current. No special circuit is required.
How do I install the chuck on a Delta 11-950? Insert the chuck arbor into the spindle taper with a firm upward push, then seat it with a wooden mallet strike. To remove the chuck, use the drift key through the spindle slot.
Key Takeaways
- The Delta 11-950 manual (Part No. 900591) is a free PDF download from mikestools.com and delta.manymanuals.com.
- The machine runs five speeds from 620 to 3,100 RPM via a step-pulley belt system.
- Always check your Type number on the nameplate before ordering parts or following belt-specific instructions.
- The 2-inch quill travel is a permanent limitation: plan around it or consider a machine with greater depth capacity.
References
- Delta 11-950 Instruction Manual, Part No. 900591: mikestools.com
- ManualsLib, Delta 11-950: manualslib.com
- eReplacementParts.com: Delta 11-950 Type 1 and Type 2 parts listings
- WEN Products Drill Press FAQs: wenproducts.com
- OSHA Drill Press Safety eTool: https://www.osha.gov
- CCOHS Drill Press Safety: https://www.ccohs.ca
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