Restored Miller's Falls Manual Drill Press

[hemifalcon]

Just wanted to post some pictures of my Miller's Falls Drill Press that I just finished restoring. It works perfectly-and I'm lucky that it was 99% complete when I got it. I only had to make a new handle for the turning clamp for the vise and then repair one of the drill chuck teeth retainers.. If anyone has any detailed information on the part/model numbers for this style of drill--I'd gladly appreciate the information. This was a fun project which turned out awesome.. I am however pondering having a friend do some gold leaf pinstriping on it..

 

[Coleman]

This is really neat. Thanks for sharing!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gearheadglen]

It is a Millers Falls Universal Hand Drill Press Model #21

I have one, and they are pretty rare complete

Your restoration looks very good

 

[vekster]

thats awswome.

It is a two hander from what i can figure.
The lower handle turns the chuck?
Upper handle is a geared down feed?
How old is it?

 

[gearheadglen]

Here is a pic from the Millers Falls 1915 catalog

 

[TMcCay]

I love those old antique tools and buy them when I come across them for the right price. Nice score! Thanks for sharing....

 

[yaidunno]

Great job on the restoration!

 

[sasquatch12]

Real nice, have never seen one before.

 

[RonnieC]

Sweet!

 

[getahammer]

Would love to see, and hear that thing at work. You should be proud of that.

 

[woody 73]

super job.

 

[bonneyman]

Great job, great old tool!

 

[Silver Heels]

I have a manual "post" drill press- same concept, but mounts on a post or a wall. That looks like it would be a wee bit top heavy and unstable clamped to the edge of the table- have you had a chance to try it?

 

[Outlawmws]

That thing is Awesome! I love hand crank eggbeater drills! That takes one to the peak!

 

[hemifalcon]

Thanks for all the compliments guys... (hell--that's why I posted these pics anyway!!

Thanks for that catalog picture and designation so now I know exactly what it is.

Addressing the function--yes it drills with the large double adjustable hand crank on the side and the top allows for the drill be be lowered and raised--it works great. As far as it being "top-heavy"--I don't really feel that it is.. This is as I assume a drill best designed for some slow going work but as you can see by the vise--even the previous users were able to drill too deep and well into the vise surface. It's a great old piece--and again--I appreciate the commentary.. Thanks guys.

I failed to save any of the "before" pictures--but it was a greasy-grimey-white and red paint job over an original black enamel. Each one of the cast pieces and the chuck shaft have oil holes for lubricating it every now and then--in its previous condition it looked like it had never been wiped down..

 

[gungatim]

That thing is a piece of art! very nice job. Will that stay in the house or move to the shop? Also like the pieces you have in the background, that license plate gas can lamp is pretty cool, I may have to make one of those!! Post some more pics of your other creations if you haven't already, I just love that stuff!!

 

[hemifalcon]

That thing is a piece of art! very nice job. Will that stay in the house or move to the shop? Also like the pieces you have in the background, that license plate gas can lamp is pretty cool, I may have to make one of those!! Post some more pics of your other creations if you haven't already, I just love that stuff!!

Thanks...
For now it'll stay in the house.. My "shop" is a two car garage that doesn't allow something like this to fare well without getting dust covered or otherwise poorly treated..
That gas can/license plate lamp was a shot at seeing if it could sell. The license plates are all in VERY NICE condition and were merely wired to an old lamp shade frame with a couple old lamp pieces secured to the gas can.. Dual switches allow for two different ways of activating the lamp.. Now it just sits in the house as one of MY accent pieces amongst the lady's..

 

[older=better]

Great job. This thing is museum quality

 

[bikemarlow]

I came across a Millers falls #21 drill press at a garage sale awhile ago and just realized I am missing the vise. It is in otherwise good condition. Any idea where i might score the missing vise?

I have also seen the #21 as high as $500 on ebay. I paid $5 for mine. Any idea of the resale value?

Thanks
bike

BTW your restoration is top notch. I prefer a dusty, oily patina but yours looks great!

 

[Mohawk Dave]

1. very cool resto.

2. what kind of paint did you use?

3. Did you ever get the gold leaf pinstriped? I vote yes for that.

 

[rehnbergzen]

It is a two hander from what i can figure.

 

[MN4x4]

Nice job! Thanks for saving that exquisite piece of machinery.

 

[hemifalcon]

I came across a Millers falls #21 drill press at a garage sale awhile ago and just realized I am missing the vise. It is in otherwise good condition. Any idea where i might score the missing vise?

I have also seen the #21 as high as $500 on ebay. I paid $5 for mine. Any idea of the resale value?

Thanks
bike

BTW your restoration is top notch. I prefer a dusty, oily patina but yours looks great!

Thanks.. I don't know much more about them other than what I learned while fixing this one.. SO--I'm not much help in answering this question.

1. very cool resto.

2. what kind of paint did you use?

3. Did you ever get the gold leaf pinstriped? I vote yes for that.

Dave, you're looking at a cheapo Rustoleum Gloss Black--hardly anything fancy here.. And thank you for the compliment. I never did any extra work beyond selling it to a guy who made it even nicer than I had it..

It is a two hander from what i can figure.

Yes.. definitely a two-hander..

Nice job! Thanks for saving that exquisite piece of machinery.

Thank you..


Here's the pictures the new owner sent to me after he finished up an extra detail of restoration. HE did a fantastic job. His name is Jay and he's in New York. He added the red paint and had decals made up matching original advertisements which looks awesome. I was glad to put the drill into his hands..

http://garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=3145&pictureid=41186

View media item 41185
View media item 41184

 

[pendragon1998]

It's a beautiful piece!

 

[Antonio Javier]

Hi
I am trying to restore the same Millers Falls n.20 drill press.
I am having a problem taking the two gears on top that controlled the depth of the drill. Can you tell me how did you managed to detached them?
All help will be greatly appreciated.

Antonio

[email protected]