A Delta 17-900 drill press typically costs about $350-$650 used, with an average asking price near $500; clean, complete examples can reach $800 or more. Since this older model is generally found secondhand, condition, included accessories, local availability, and freight or pickup costs matter more than a standard new-equipment price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta 17-900 press, used | $250 | $500 | $800 | Working machine; condition and completeness affect price |
| Local pickup and loading | $0 | $40 | $150 | More if help or equipment is needed |
| Freight or specialized delivery | $150 | $300 | $600 | Depends on distance, crating, and liftgate service |
| Initial repair allowance | $0 | $100 | $400 | For belts, switches, bearings, or electrical work |
| Ready-to-use total | $250 | $650 | $1,800 | High end includes delivery and substantial repair |
What a Delta 17-900 drill press usually sells for
The practical purchase range for a functioning 17-900 is approximately $350-$650 before delivery. A lower-priced machine around $250-$350 may need cleaning, minor repairs, or missing parts. A well-maintained example with its original table, guards, and working speed controls can be listed for $600-$800, although asking prices are not the same as completed sales.
Budget about $500 for the machine itself, then add the cost of getting it home and verifying its condition. This is a large shop tool, so local pickup commonly produces the clearest comparison. A listing that appears inexpensive may become a poor value if freight, crating, or repair needs add several hundred dollars.
Prices vary by market and timing. The 17-900 is an older, heavier-duty floor-standing tool rather than a common current retail model, so there may be few nearby listings at any given time. The ranges here are planning estimates for U.S. secondhand purchases, not a guaranteed current offer or manufacturer price.
Assumptions: Used machine in working or repairable condition, standard accessories, and no unusual restoration work.
How the stand, motor, and delivery shape the quote
A seller’s price usually reflects the press and whatever parts are included. Buyers should compare the actual package rather than the model name alone: a complete working machine is different from a bare head and column, or a press with a faulty motor. For a used industrial-style machine, delivery can be as important as the small accessories.
| Quote item | Typical range | What changes the amount | Buyer check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press with column and base | $300-$700 | Wear, operation, local demand | Confirm it runs through its speed range |
| Motor or electrical repair | $75-$350 | Part availability and shop labor | Test switch, wiring, and motor under load |
| Chuck and arbor | $25-$120 | Chuck quality and condition | Check runout and secure mounting |
| Table, clamp, or guard parts | $20-$150 | Originality and completeness | Inspect adjustment and locking hardware |
| Moving or freight | $40-$600 | Distance, stairs, crating, liftgate | Get a delivered price, not just a shipping estimate |
Equipment hauling may be charged as a flat fee rather than hourly, while shop repair is commonly billed at roughly $75-$125 per hour. A one-hour diagnostic and adjustment can therefore add $75-$125 before replacement parts; multiple faults can raise that amount quickly.
Request a written all-in figure that separates the press, missing parts, repair, and delivery. Used-machine sales are often private transactions without installation, warranty, or return rights, so a low item price does not necessarily include the cost of making the tool ready for work.
How spindle play, speed controls, and accessories change value
Condition is the largest pricing variable. A press that starts smoothly, holds its speed, and drills without excessive vibration deserves more than a machine with intermittent controls or visible spindle movement. Test the quill travel and inspect the chuck while it rotates; noticeable wobble can affect accuracy and may signal wear or a damaged chuck.
Check the speed-selection mechanism across its available settings rather than accepting “runs well” as proof. A machine with a damaged pulley, belt, switch, or motor can be repairable, but parts availability and labor should be included in the offer. Ask the seller to demonstrate it cold and then after several minutes of operation, if practical.
Included accessories can add useful value, but only when they are serviceable. A good chuck, table hardware, work light, or original guard can save replacement expense. A generic chuck or improvised modification should not justify a large premium without evidence that it runs true and is safely installed.
Machine size and transport also create thresholds. A floor model that needs two people, a truck, and a suitable loading ramp can add $100-$300 to a local purchase; stairs or long carries may add more. Price defects against a realistic repair and moving bill, not against the seller’s description.
Which costs can a buyer control before making an offer
The easiest savings usually come from choosing a machine that is already close to the intended setup. Compare several local listings, test each press where possible, and set a ceiling that includes transport. A $400 machine that needs $250 of freight and repair is not automatically cheaper than a complete $600 machine nearby.
Buy only the accessories needed for the work. Specialty vises, sanding drums, and upgraded chucks may be useful, but they should be priced separately if they are not required. Avoid paying an accessory premium for worn items that would need replacement anyway.
Ask whether the seller can help load the press, and arrange pickup with a vehicle and tie-downs suitable for heavy equipment. Consolidating pickup with another shop purchase can reduce travel expense, but the machine must still be secured and protected from damage. For shipped equipment, compare crated freight with local equipment movers rather than relying on a parcel-service estimate.
Set an offer based on the ready-to-use total, and leave a repair reserve when the machine cannot be tested. If the seller will not demonstrate the controls or confirm what parts are included, treating it as a repair project is more prudent than paying the clean-machine price.
How the 17-900 compares with newer and smaller presses
A buyer weighing the 17-900 against a new benchtop press should compare capacity, condition, and total setup cost rather than purchase price alone. Newer benchtop models can often be found around $250-$700, but they may have less throat depth, lighter construction, or fewer useful adjustments. A used 17-900 at $500-$700 can make sense when its size and rigidity suit the work and it is in verified operating condition.
Other used floor presses may be listed from roughly $300-$900 depending on brand, capacity, age, and condition. A similar machine with readily available parts or a local service history may be a better buy even if it costs more upfront. Compare table size, spindle travel, speed range, motor condition, and the availability of replacement belts or electrical components.
Repairing an existing 17-900 is worth pricing when the frame, column, and spindle assembly are sound. A modest $100-$250 repair can be less expensive than replacing the machine. A motor or control failure combined with spindle damage can push repairs toward $400-$700, where a replacement press may be the more economical option.
Use the purchase price plus likely repairs as the comparison figure. A new machine may also include a limited warranty, while a private used sale generally does not. That warranty has value, but it should be weighed against the 17-900’s condition and the cost of obtaining comparable capacity.
What delivery and shop setup add to a heavy floor model
Local pickup can cost nothing beyond fuel if the seller allows loading and the buyer has a suitable truck, trailer, and helpers. Professional loading or a short equipment move often adds $75-$200. A long-distance shipment requiring a pallet or crate, freight terminal handling, and liftgate delivery may cost $300-$600 or more.
Before paying, confirm the shipment includes the base, column, head, table, and accessories named in the listing. Ask who is responsible for disassembly and whether the carrier delivers to a driveway, curb, or shop floor. Liftgate service brings freight to ground level; it does not necessarily move a heavy press through a doorway or down stairs.
Allow time and money for setup after delivery. The machine may need to be assembled, leveled, secured to a suitable floor, and checked for alignment. A basic setup performed by the buyer may cost only supplies and time, while a technician visit can add roughly $100-$300 depending on travel and adjustment work.
Get the delivery method and final destination in writing before treating a listing as a bargain. A freight quote that excludes crating, residential service, or liftgate handling can change substantially when those services are added.
Three realistic 17-900 purchase budgets
These examples show how the same model can produce different totals. They are illustrative U.S. budgets, not live listings. Actual prices depend on location, machine condition, seller terms, and availability.
| Scenario | Machine | Added work and move | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local, tested press | $450-$550 | $0-$50 pickup; no repairs | $450-$600 |
| Complete machine needing service | $300-$425 | $150-$300 repair; $50-$125 transport | $500-$850 |
| Clean press shipped regionally | $600-$800 | $300-$600 freight; $50-$150 setup | $950-$1,550 |
For the first scenario, the buyer should still confirm speed operation and spindle condition. In the second, the low asking price only pays off if the repair is diagnosed and parts can be sourced. For the shipped example, the delivered total approaches the price of some new floor presses, so comparison with alternatives is especially important.
Use the scenario closest to the machine’s actual condition, not the lowest advertised price. If testing is impossible, add a reserve of at least $150-$300 for unknown repairs and avoid assuming the press is ready to use.
Common price questions about the Delta 17-900
Is $800 too much for a used 17-900?
It may be reasonable for a clean, complete, tested machine in a market with few alternatives, especially if pickup is easy. It is high for an untested press, missing parts, or one with electrical or spindle problems. Compare the seller’s asking price with local completed deals when available, and account for delivery before deciding.
Does the model have a reliable new retail price?
Because the 17-900 is an older model and is typically encountered through resale, a current new-retail price is not a dependable benchmark. Online listings may show old catalog prices, unrelated model numbers, or asking prices for restored machines. The used condition and delivered total are more useful measures.
What should be tested before paying?
Check that the motor starts and stops correctly, the speed controls work, the quill travels smoothly, and the table adjusts and locks. Watch the chuck while it runs and listen for unusual vibration or bearing noise. Ask about repairs, missing guards, and whether the machine has been stored in damp conditions.
How much should be reserved for a machine that cannot be tested?
A reserve of $150-$300 is a practical starting point for a repairable machine, but it is not a maximum. A failed motor, control assembly, or worn spindle can make the expense substantially higher. If the machine cannot be inspected, make the offer reflect that uncertainty rather than paying the verified-working rate.
For most buyers, a fair target is $350-$650 for a tested press, with transport and repairs evaluated separately. A delivered, ready-to-use cost above $1,000 calls for careful comparison with newer floor models and other used presses.