Delta Rockwell Drill Press 15-655 Manual: What It Covers and Where to Get It
The Delta Rockwell 15-655 is not a standard upright drill press. It is a 15-inch radial drill press, which means the drill head is mounted on an arm that can swing outward and be positioned laterally along the arm’s length. If you own one and are hunting for the manual, the most important thing to understand upfront is this: the radial arm mechanism on the 15-655 requires careful setup and lubrication, and operating it without understanding the locking procedures is genuinely dangerous. The manual is not optional reading on this machine.
What the 15-655 Is and How It Differs from the 15-017
The Delta Rockwell 15-017 is a conventional upright drill press: the head is fixed at the top of the column, and you move the workpiece to position it under the bit. The 15-655 is a radial drill press. The drill head travels along a horizontal arm, and that arm can be rotated around the column. This lets you position the drill head over a large or heavy workpiece without moving the workpiece. For production work, large cabinet panels, or any situation where repositioning the part is difficult, the radial design is a significant practical advantage.
Specifications for the 15-655 include a 15-inch swing, a floor-standing column, and multiple speed options depending on the production year.
Where to Find the Manual
VintageMachinery.org (OWWM): Your first stop. Search for “Delta Rockwell 15-655” or “Delta radial drill press.” The site may have one or more scans covering different production years. Download all available versions and compare them to your machine.
ManualsOnline.com: A secondary source worth checking. Search for “Delta Rockwell 15-655 drill press.”
Delta Machinery Archives: Delta is now part of Stanley Black and Decker. Their customer service line occasionally has access to older documentation for Rockwell-era machines, though this is not guaranteed.
Artisan’s Asylum (artisansasylum.com): Maintains a library of vintage machine documentation as part of their makerspace educational resources.
Machinist forums and Google: Try searching "Delta Rockwell 15-655" manual filetype:pdf.
What the Manual Covers
Radial arm adjustment: How to set the arm’s travel limits, how to lock the arm in position during drilling, and how to adjust the arm’s swing if it has developed play. This is the most critical section. The arm locking mechanisms must be fully engaged before the quill is fed into the work.
Column and arm lubrication: The radial arm mechanism has more lubrication points than a standard drill press. The arm’s travel surface, the column-to-arm interface, and the arm locking mechanism all require regular lubrication.
Safety procedures: The arm must be locked before drilling. The drill head must be returned to a safe position before the operator reaches under the arm.
Speed chart: The 15-655 uses a step-pulley or variable-speed drive depending on the variant. The manual’s speed chart recommends settings for different bit diameters and materials.
Parts list and exploded diagram: The parts list covers the radial arm components specifically, including the arm locking hardware, the head traverse mechanism, and the column assembly.
The Honest Flaw: Skipping the Manual Is Genuinely Risky
On a standard upright drill press, most operators can figure out basic operation through trial and error without serious consequence. The 15-655 is different. The radial arm has locking levers and set screws that must be understood and properly engaged before use. An arm that is not fully secured can swing unexpectedly under drilling pressure. The manual is non-negotiable on this machine. Read it before you drill.
Comparison: 15-655 Radial vs. 15-017 Upright
| Feature | Delta Rockwell 15-017 | Delta Rockwell 15-655 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Standard upright | Radial arm |
| Swing | 15 inch | 15 inch |
| Head position | Fixed on column | Traverses along arm |
| Setup complexity | Low | Higher (arm locking required) |
| Manual necessity | Recommended | Essential |
Conclusion
- The Delta Rockwell 15-655 is a radial drill press, not a standard upright model, and requires the manual to operate safely.
- VintageMachinery.org is the best free source for the manual; also check ManualsOnline.com and artisansasylum.com.
- The manual covers radial arm locking, lubrication, speed selection, safety, and a parts list specific to the radial mechanism.
- Never operate the radial arm without fully engaging the locking mechanism: a loose arm under drilling pressure is a serious hazard.
FAQ
Where can I download the Delta Rockwell 15-655 manual? VintageMachinery.org is the best starting point. Also check ManualsOnline.com and artisansasylum.com.
What makes the 15-655 different from the 15-017? The 15-655 is a radial arm drill press. The drill head traverses along a horizontal arm that can rotate around the column, allowing work reach across a large area without moving the workpiece.
Why is the manual especially important for the 15-655? The radial arm has locking mechanisms that must be fully engaged before drilling. Operating without understanding these locks risks the arm swinging under drilling load.
What swing does the Delta Rockwell 15-655 have? 15 inches.
What safety rules apply to operating the 15-655? Fully engage all arm locking mechanisms before feeding the quill. Clamp workpieces securely. Remove the chuck key before starting. Never reach under the arm while the machine is running or the arm is unsecured.
How do I identify my 15-655 variant? Check the nameplate for a serial number and post that information to the OWWM forums at VintageMachinery.org along with photos.
What lubrication does the 15-655 radial arm mechanism require? The arm’s travel surface, the arm-to-column interface, and the locking hardware all require regular lubrication. Specific lubricant type and interval are in the manual’s lubrication section.
Can I find 15-655 parts the same way as 15-017 parts? The sourcing strategy is similar: eBay, the OWWM forums, and generic equivalents where dimensions match. The radial arm components are more specialized and may be harder to find.
References
- VintageMachinery.org (OWWM): vintagemachinery.org
- ManualsOnline.com: manualsonline.com
- Artisan’s Asylum: artisansasylum.com
- OSHA Drill Press Safety: osha.gov
- CCOHS Drill Press Safety: ccohs.ca
