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Delta 18-900L review
Industrial drill presses are a dime a dozen these days. That can make it difficult to choose the right model, especially when so many share the same basic features.
Out of all the brands, Delta has continually produced top level tools. The Delta drill press is no different, which lead us to check out the Delta 18-900L and get it a proper review.
Delta 18-900L Specifications
- 3/4 HP induction motor
- 16 speeds
- 6” quill stroke
- 5/8” chuck
- 20” x 70” x 28”
- 261 pounds
Who is it for?
Professionals or consumers that are serious about their craft. By serious, we mean are prepared to spend up for a high-quality machine and have enough room for it their garage. The Delta 18-900L is a large machine, and one that has enough power to handle anything you throw its way.
Speed, Power, and Capabilities
As mentioned, this Delta drill press is at the top of the pack. That means you will get a whopping 16 speeds on the 18-900L which is impressive and allows you to work with anything. You will still need a quality bit, but you can find one of those in our guide to the best drill bits.
The speed range for this drill is 170 to 3,000 RPMs which again is quite impressive. It goes lower than other drills in its class and hitting the right depth will never be an issue.
That’s because the machine has micro-adjustable depth stops and an independent depth scale as well. Accuracy is high on this one, and it is just one of the standout features we found in our Delta 18-900L review.
Power will not be an issue either thanks to a 3/4 HP induction motor under the hood. Despite its prowess and size, the 18-900L is a relatively quiet machine that handles vibrations well. Last but not least is the quill stroke, which is rated at 6-inches and top of the line.
Table & Build Quality
Love a press with a spacious table? The Delta 18-900L has one of those, and it can title to the left or right a full 90-degrees. It can also tilt forward from 0 to 48-degrees and is made from cast iron with the usual array of slots.
That includes T-slots to help you clamp down your stock and a removable center insert. This handy feature is key when you need to drill all the way through something and not set a depth.
There’s not a lot to say when it comes to the overall build quality. It’s rock solid, it won’t tip over, and it’s built to last decades, not a few years.
Additional Features
Like many flagship drill presses, the Delta 18-900L has a built-in laser which increases accuracy. It is no ordinary laser however as it uses a TWINLASER system. The somewhat standard work light is present as well and durable even if we feel it’s a bit short.
When a drill press has multiple speeds, it needs to be easy to set tension and adjust the speed. Thankfully, Delta took care of that with an auto-tensioning belt drive system in the 18-900L.
This feature will save you a considerable amount of time and makes changing speeds an absolute breeze. If you are new to drill presses, it is a feature worth the price of admission as it significantly increases the ease of use.
Before you use this tool you should check our guide about safety.
Any Downsides?
No machine is perfect, even if it does have all the bells & whistles. For the Delta 18-900L, the drawbacks are minimal but present nonetheless.
Remember that cool TWINLASER system? Well, it works as advertised but can be difficult to see depending on the conditions in your shop. While a dimly lit workplace is not a good idea, this particular laser doesn’t like well-lit areas.
The price isn’t a downside in the usual sense, but something to keep in mind. Pro-quality tools aren’t cheap, so you will need to keep your budget in mind with this one. With that said, it’s affordable for this class.
Conclusion
There is a lot to like about the Delta 18-900L and very little to dislike. We do wish the laser system was a bit more visible, but that’s no reason to pass this one over. Lasers are more of a perk than a necessity.
This Delta drill press provides plenty of pop, a while it’s large, it’s still lighter and more compact than other machines. We also love the fact it comes with a 5-year warranty, which is a big step up from the typical 2-year warranties we tend to see on presses.
Click here to read user reviews on Amazon.