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The Delta 17-990X is 23th among 72 in the Drill Presses ranking. It is 12th among 33 Floor Drill Presses. The average price of is $594.81 and the 17-990X is 25th in price. It is 51th among Drill Presses at $397.38. It is ranked 76th of 108 for Delta.

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The Delta 20-959LX has similar products in our product database. Click on the product in the table for more information and reviews.

Click here for descriptions, product reviews, product features for the Delta 17-990X X5 Drill Press (16-1/2", Variable Speed). We want to know what you think of 17-990X. Write a product review! Please purchase from our listed sources to support Toolcritic.

You can locate more data on Delta products by clicking here. www.deltamachinery.com, the manufacturer's site, is a source for manuals, parts, and other data.

I find the features and quality of the Delta 17-990X drill press are an acceptable compromise between the demands for both woodworking and metal work projects and priced accordingly. Fit and finish are typical of imported equipment in its price range leaving a bit to be desired for tolerances and overall appearance of castings and components. I made a panel to cover to open top of the machine for safety from belts and pulleys and to keep shop dust out (it is surprising that Delta could sell a machine with exposed moving parts without violating OSHA guidelines). I made an auxiliary table of plywood for woodworking operations to slip over the slotted table that comes with the unit for metal work requirements.

The only problem with the machine overall is the fact that the primary drive belt got "chewed up" because the setscrew for the main drive pulley on the motor shaft was not tightened at the factory allowing the pulley to slip. This allowed the pulley to move exposing the drive belt to the key on the motor shaft to "chew" the cogs off the drive belt. Delta said that the X-5 warranty would not cover "normal wear items" and therefore would not replace the belt.

These issues notwithstanding, the infinitely variable speed, 6" quill travel, table height adjustment crank and overall performance are quite satisfactory for a drillpress in its class. Sales literature describes the unit accurately and overall my feeling of the 17-990X is "you get what you pay for".

If you read Amazons review of this product - it illudes that this Drill press comes with a Jacobs Chuck & yet it DOES NOT!!!! It comes with a CHEAP off BRAND chuck with a Jacobs Taper!!! BIG... (More)

I Just bought this drill from my local tool store. I had to have it for a job drilling 3/8 and 9/16 " holes through 5/8" steel plate. this was the only press they had, I have drilled 120 holes and... (More)

I purchased this machine new a while back. Generally it is a very good machine. It has plenty of power and the variable speed controls work easily. The 6" stroke is very nice. The table is flat and... (More)