Vintage Buffalo Drill Press - Help ID?

[Steve_S]

I just picked up a nice old Buffalo drill press. I plan to restore it to original condition, but I'm having trouble identifying exactly what model it is. What I believe to be the ID plate has been painted over. The plate on the G.E. motor states "HP 1/6" which seems low to me considering its size and weight. There is a small plate on the side of the drill press body which reads "D 18" but that's the only other marker I can see.

Any help identifying this drill press would be greatly appreciated! I'm also looking for a source for parts, such as an original power switch.

Photos follow...

http://www.mgnuts.com/temp/drillpress/1.jpg


http://www.mgnuts.com/temp/drillpress/2.jpg


http://www.mgnuts.com/temp/drillpress/3.jpg


http://www.mgnuts.com/temp/drillpress/4.jpg

[billymade]

Looks like the badge is right there on the left side; if you can carefully remove the paint, I'm sure the ID tag will give you all the info you need!
Here is a quick search of ebay with some presses looking like yours: http://search.ebay.com/buffalo-drill-press_W0QQdfspZ32QQfromZR40QQssPageNameZRC0021QQ_t rksidZp1638Q2em120
and here is a service/parts manual that I think maybe the same model as yours;
BUFFALO No.15 DRILL PRESS : http://cgi.ebay.com/BUFFALO-No-15-DRILL-PRESS-MAINTENANCE-PARTS-MANUAL_W0QQitemZ150244972288QQihZ005QQcategoryZ419 50QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp 1638Q2em118Q2el1247
Here is a shot of an example of what your badge may look like under all the paint: http://www.owwm.com/photoindex/images/6780-B.JPG
Buffalo company history:
http://www.owwm.com/MfgIndex/detail.aspx?id=129
Buffalo current website:
http://www.bmt-usa.com/

[Steve_S]

Thanks. I have the number 15 manual and it even shows photos of older models from the 30's through 60's. None of them are what I have, and I can't find a single photo or reference to one quite like mine.

I've gently scraped the paint from the ID tag with a fingernail and it looks to be completely bare underneath. Someone must have used stripper before repainting it.

I did find a number 18 manual on eBay and I'm considering buying it just for the chance that it will have mine in it.

[Steve_S]

May have finally hit the jackpot! I found one reference to this unit in a 1948 brochure, labeled "No. 15 Deluxe Model".

[stricht8]

Nice. A lot more solid looking than my Chinese made Delta model