This is my first drill press and I purchased it for woodworking. As cost is an issue, I swallowed my fears about Black and Decker owning Delta (and selling the same model for more $$$) and bought the DP300L.
Overall, it is a decent machine. Mine came without one set screw for the head so I can’t tighen it down real well. Assembly otherwise went okay – even considering Delta’s poorly pictured manuals. Once assembled, the drill so far seems to operate smoothly. The one piece of wood I drilled (at top speed) worked well. The lasers seem to align well and work well(darn thing is made out of plastic tho, the metal screws seem over tight for plastic so, out of fear of breaking it, I ignored the instructions and and just twisted the bottom knobs till I go something I could live with. Oh well, plastic cases.
I do have an issue with the way speeds are changed and the instructions for which is the correct speed to use. Delta does not advise correct speeds for anything and the drill came configured for top speed. Ok, but I can’t seem to loosen the belt tension to move the belt on it’s pulleys. Lacking a set screw to tighten down the head may be an issue, but the motor doesn’t seem to want to move to release tension. So, my speed stays at top speed.
I emailed Delta on all my issues and will update when/if I receive answers – I also asked about whether the mortising attachement will work on the DP300L. Outside of my issues, I would buy it again. I took off a star because the machine is competent, NOT outstanding. I continue to fear what B&D is going to do to a former great toolmaker. But, as a woodworker friend told me about my table saw, if you want to be a woodworker, get used to futzing around with the machines that go along with it!
Rating: 4 / 5
ver solid piece of machinery. Changing speeds is very easy. I added a 5/8 chuck as I work for a metal export company so I cant comment on the factory chuck. But it is a jacob’s taper so the upgradability is definetley there. I have yet to use the laser guide but the old fashion eye works fine as this is very accurate. great buy for the $$$.
Rating: 5 / 5
I received the drill press in great condition. ELG was the shipper and they did a great job. Assembly of the drill press was easy, the directions were great. I purchased the mortise attachment at the same time and can’t wait to use it. I recommend this machine to any one who is interested in getting the most out of their hard earned $$.
Rating: 5 / 5
I’d give this press a 4.5 if possible. I’ve found with a bit of work I can coax it in to doing almost anything I need in woodworking. I’ve done very precise cabinet work (which is why I got it), without issue. The laser sometimes needs to be reset, so always plan for setup time. The depth stop, and the manual belt change are the only issues with design I can think of. Both work, but could be better. Mine came out of the box and into production without problem or broken and missing parts.
To really make this a nice press you will want to look for a tabletop. I recommend either the woodpecker or woodcraft, since they are made by the same outfit and basically the same for the same price. I looked hard at the Grizzly top, which is 1/3 of the price of the woodcraft, but the woodcraft will last forever and the Griz will give you a pain every time you try to do a setup. For $60 more bucks, woodcraft. Oh, and this thing is really rather heavy. Don’t plan for much portability.
Rating: 4 / 5
I received this unit with the box partially open and the bands on one side of the box. The movable workplate was 1/2 out of the box. The shipper, FedEx had added some tape to the box to keep it together. I added more tape before I took it home from work where I had it delivered.
Once I looked in the box, everything looked complete and fine and it wasn’t until I lifted the power head out of the box to install when I noticed a crack up the entire corner of the plastic pulley cover. Since it doesn’t show or affect the operation of the drill. I just ignored the crack. The packing is meant for delivery of multiple units via pallet and is certainly not strong enough for shipping individually. All Amazon needed to do was add another box around the outside to have kept this together and not twisted in shipment and cracking the cover. There were no dents in the outside of the box or signs that this was mishandled.
otherwise the drill works perfectly. The laser has to be readjusted with each table height adjustment but that only takes a minute.
The operation is moooth and quiet and it is very accurate. Easy to clamp objects to the table for stability.
For the price, you can’t beat this unit for quality in build and features. I expect this to last forever.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is my first drill press and I purchased it for woodworking. As cost is an issue, I swallowed my fears about Black and Decker owning Delta (and selling the same model for more $$$) and bought the DP300L.
Overall, it is a decent machine. Mine came without one set screw for the head so I can’t tighen it down real well. Assembly otherwise went okay – even considering Delta’s poorly pictured manuals. Once assembled, the drill so far seems to operate smoothly. The one piece of wood I drilled (at top speed) worked well. The lasers seem to align well and work well(darn thing is made out of plastic tho, the metal screws seem over tight for plastic so, out of fear of breaking it, I ignored the instructions and and just twisted the bottom knobs till I go something I could live with. Oh well, plastic cases.
I do have an issue with the way speeds are changed and the instructions for which is the correct speed to use. Delta does not advise correct speeds for anything and the drill came configured for top speed. Ok, but I can’t seem to loosen the belt tension to move the belt on it’s pulleys. Lacking a set screw to tighten down the head may be an issue, but the motor doesn’t seem to want to move to release tension. So, my speed stays at top speed.
I emailed Delta on all my issues and will update when/if I receive answers – I also asked about whether the mortising attachement will work on the DP300L. Outside of my issues, I would buy it again. I took off a star because the machine is competent, NOT outstanding. I continue to fear what B&D is going to do to a former great toolmaker. But, as a woodworker friend told me about my table saw, if you want to be a woodworker, get used to futzing around with the machines that go along with it!
Rating: 4 / 5
ver solid piece of machinery. Changing speeds is very easy. I added a 5/8 chuck as I work for a metal export company so I cant comment on the factory chuck. But it is a jacob’s taper so the upgradability is definetley there. I have yet to use the laser guide but the old fashion eye works fine as this is very accurate. great buy for the $$$.
Rating: 5 / 5
I received the drill press in great condition. ELG was the shipper and they did a great job. Assembly of the drill press was easy, the directions were great. I purchased the mortise attachment at the same time and can’t wait to use it. I recommend this machine to any one who is interested in getting the most out of their hard earned $$.
Rating: 5 / 5
I’d give this press a 4.5 if possible. I’ve found with a bit of work I can coax it in to doing almost anything I need in woodworking. I’ve done very precise cabinet work (which is why I got it), without issue. The laser sometimes needs to be reset, so always plan for setup time. The depth stop, and the manual belt change are the only issues with design I can think of. Both work, but could be better. Mine came out of the box and into production without problem or broken and missing parts.
To really make this a nice press you will want to look for a tabletop. I recommend either the woodpecker or woodcraft, since they are made by the same outfit and basically the same for the same price. I looked hard at the Grizzly top, which is 1/3 of the price of the woodcraft, but the woodcraft will last forever and the Griz will give you a pain every time you try to do a setup. For $60 more bucks, woodcraft. Oh, and this thing is really rather heavy. Don’t plan for much portability.
Rating: 4 / 5
I received this unit with the box partially open and the bands on one side of the box. The movable workplate was 1/2 out of the box. The shipper, FedEx had added some tape to the box to keep it together. I added more tape before I took it home from work where I had it delivered.
Once I looked in the box, everything looked complete and fine and it wasn’t until I lifted the power head out of the box to install when I noticed a crack up the entire corner of the plastic pulley cover. Since it doesn’t show or affect the operation of the drill. I just ignored the crack. The packing is meant for delivery of multiple units via pallet and is certainly not strong enough for shipping individually. All Amazon needed to do was add another box around the outside to have kept this together and not twisted in shipment and cracking the cover. There were no dents in the outside of the box or signs that this was mishandled.
otherwise the drill works perfectly. The laser has to be readjusted with each table height adjustment but that only takes a minute.
The operation is moooth and quiet and it is very accurate. Easy to clamp objects to the table for stability.
For the price, you can’t beat this unit for quality in build and features. I expect this to last forever.
Rating: 5 / 5