Delta 18-900L Review
Editor Rating: 4.7/5
Great
Delta 18-900L Review
Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson
Published on: March 29, 2018
Last modified:
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Delta Drill Press Review Summary:
Delta is nearly a household name in America – the company has almost a century of history behind its back and is well-known for its quality woodworking equipment. We’ve decided to check out if they’ve continued this legacy with their Delta 18-900L model, which is currently one of the most popular press drills on the market.
There are a couple of reasons behind the unit’s immense popularity, some of which are the quiet operation, 16 speed settings to choose from, the auto-tension belt driving system, as well as the fully adjustable Twin Laser system. The drill also has a 5-year warranty, which is somewhat of a rarity these days and a thing that deserves special praise.
To find out if these features make the model worthy of being considered for purchase, we’ve decided to take a closer look at them. Is Delta 18-900L the press drill you were looking for? Let’s find out!
Delta 18-900L Specifications:
- Weight – 240lbs
- Dimensions – 59″ x 30.5″ x 13″
- Chuck Size – 5/8″
- Max Speed – 3,000 RPM
- Voltage – 120 volts
Delta 18-900L – The Basics
This machine is a floor-mounted press drill that packs quite a serious punch. Its heart is the powerful 3/4 HP engine with the maximum speed of 3,000 RPM, capable of completing even the most demanding drilling tasks. It can be used in 16 different speed settings, which definitely adds to the unit’s overall versatility.
The auto-tensioning belt drive system that we mentioned is one of the unit’s best features. It provides maximum transmission efficiency and therefore makes speed changes fast and easy. Other features worth mentioning are the 6″ quill stroke (for deep drilling), the Twin Laser (for better precision), and the LED lamp (for the dimly-lit areas).
These are just the basics – for more on the features of Delta 18-900L, keep on reading.
Delta 18-900L Features
The Design
The design and the build quality of Delta 18-900L are excellent. The unit has a weight of 240 pounds, the dimensions of 59″ x 30.5″ x 13″, and sturdy construction that makes it durable and long-lasting. Its large size allows one to drill holes with more comfort and accuracy, while its 90° tilt capacity enables drilling at an angle.
The laser system of this press drill is among the best ones we’ve seen so far. Its name is Twin Laser and it projects a couple of bright red beams on the working surface. Both beams are fully adjustable and bound to contribute to the overall accuracy of your work. One thing we really like about the Twin Laser is that it’s hard-wired into the power supply – it’s not powered by batteries like lasers on cheap press drills.
Another thing about this model’s design that we liked is its table. It has a large size of 20″ x 14″ and the T-slots for attaching a fence. As we said, it can be tilted from 0 to 90° (right and left), but also forward (up to 48°).
Power
The unit comes equipped with a 3/4 HP engine that is more than capable of helping you with drilling holes of large diameter. It can be used in 16 different speed settings (170 – 3,000 RPM), which is very impressive and high above the average number of speed settings on press drills. This allows the user to be extremely efficient with a wide array of materials.
The auto-tensioning belt drive system that we mentioned is one the model’s most well-known features. It turns the speed changing into a very easy process – one only has to push the handle, adjust the belts, and push the arm back. The Delta 18-900L also has a 6″ quill stroke (with its own depth scale) that allows very deep drilling – it’s the favorite feature of many woodworkers. Finally, it comes with a 5-year warranty, which is absolutely impressive and an important selling point.
Pros:
Auto-tensioning belt drive system
16 speed settings
Laser & LED light
5-year warranty
Cons:
Very expensive
Laser can be dim
Things we liked about it
As far as we’re concerned, the Delta 18-900L is a powerful and a well-built press drill. Its large size and the tilting table turn the drilling process into something fast and easy, even if you’re a complete DIY beginner. The fact that it has a laser system and a LED light is bound to make your cuts accurate and precise, which is more than one could ask from a press drill.
We liked the unit’s 16 different speed settings, its convenient auto-tensioning belt drive system, as well as the 6″ quill stroke. The fact that it comes with a 5-year warranty only shows how confident the manufacturer is about the model’s durability and efficiency.
Things we didn’t like
Lots of power and plenty of handy features usually come with a high price – that’s just how the things are. The Delta 18-900L is quite an expensive press drill and probably not a suitable choice for those on a tight budget.
Even though the unit’s laser system is probably the best one we’ve seen yet, it comes with a specific flaw. When the additional light is on, the beams become dim and challenging to see, which leads to less-accurate cuts. This can be particularly problematic for people with poor eyesight.
What Users Say About The Delta Drill Press 18-900L
Just like we expected, Delta 18-900L was met with positive user reactions. The users are calling it the best floor drill press on the market, rivaled only by the Powermatic PM2800B. They’re saying that the unit does exactly what it was designed to do, causing no issues or frustration during the process.
They’re particularly fond of the model’s laser system, claiming that it allows them to create accurate cuts in a fast manner. Furthermore, they’re calling Delta 18-900L the quietest power tool of this type they had a chance to work with so far.
Conclusion
Even though it may not be the cheapest option out there, the Delta 18-900L is certainly worth every cent of its price. It is one of the best press drills on the market, perfectly suitable for both light and industrial application. It’s an efficient, long-lasting device that deserves our utmost recommendation – 5-years of warranty shows that it’s a very safe purchase.
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