Delta vs Vendor -- and Us, the Consumers -- re the Ever Popular 20-950 Drill Press

 I have had several very recent e-mails back and forth between me and Delta and a vendor that I was able to find that still has a few 20-950s for sale, still packed in original packing.  Here are quotes from e-mails I have . . . .

Delta says: "Unfortunately, since the product you are looking to buy has be [been] discontinued some time ago, the warranty would no longer be in effect." And, "The reason why the model 20-950 was discontinued was related to the variable speed control mechanism and that service parts are not available for this particular model. We are working on improving the quality of this machine for when we do re-introduce this machine. As soon as we can improve the quality to a level that our customers expect from the DELTA brand we will re-introduce." And,  "It is in our plans to discuss bringing back the 20-950 Drill Press, but that will most likely not happen for at least a year. We are not sure exactly when it will be available."

Vendor says: "When Delta decided to discontinue this machine we purchased all the inventory that was left in stock as this was and still is a very popular machine. We have less than 5 left."  And, "We do have a few unit[s] left in stock, that are still in the original boxes from Delta.  When Delta decided to discontinue this machine we purchased all the inventory that was left in stock as this was and still is a very popular machine." And, regarding Delta's written assertion that it will NOT honor the warrantee, "... Delta should be honoring it. It should not matter [whether] it would be purchased through a[n] authorized dealer that still has inventory. Warranty starts from date of purchase to customer."  And, regarding parts, "The new Delta company does not offer parts for older machines [;] they are offered from Dewalt the original company that owned them before the take over."

In summary, the vendor has a few original machines in original packing.  They are for sale at full price, despite being discontinued several years ago, and despite Delta saying the warrantee is void.  I have not checked whether Dewalt has a good (or any) inventory of parts.  I am not an attorney; I do not know whether Delta should be honoring the warrantee; I only know that it says it certainly is not doing so.

The stats on the machine are wonderful, as we all know.  Am wondering how folks have been doing with the ones they have been using the past few years.  And, given what they know and have now read (above), were they in the market for a drill press right now, would they buy one of these last few remaining available machines??

Thanks, all!

Samson