Looking for a good drill press

[mhdsummers]

Hey guys. First post here. Been lurking for a while. I want an older drill press. Maybe something I can restore and then use for metal work mostly and maybe a little wood working.

Its been kind of hard finding a good vintage drill press in my area.

I really like this one but its seems over priced.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/5141331087.html

Any tips on finding older, mostly working drill presses?

Thanks guys.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Mhd,
Welcome to the group. In regards to your question:
1. Drilling metal, you want a drill rpm of 100 to 300.
2. How large of a drill will you need? Most "home shop" drill presses are 15". That's a measurement of your drill point from a head position from 9:00 to 3:00. You actually have a little less than half of your 15" between your drill point and the post.
3. I like the CL ad you showed on your OP. With the center idler, you can get all of the speeds for metal and wood. It's priced a little high for me. However, if it's been restored properly, and you can talk the seller down, looks like it could be a good buy.
4. If you look at any drill press, you want very little slop in the quill, motor and idler bearings. You want the quill movement to be smooth. Also, take a good drill bit, a piece of steel and a c-clamp, to try out the drill press.
5. If you buy one to restore, it's a fun project, but you can dump a lot of time and money in it.

IMO: I would check out that drill press that you showed. If it drills good, see how low you can get the price down to. Otherwise, wait for another press.

 

[nine4gmc]

That Walker Turner is pretty nice, someone spent some time on the resto and it does have the rare speed reducer pulley so the price is not out of line, I would ask at least that much if it were mine. That said, you may be able to find one cheaper but you will have a couple days getting it in that type condition along with a few dollars on paint/bearings etc. If thay are hard to come by and you have the cash, take some and try to get a better deal in person waving bills in the guys face.

 

[Davefr]

Hey guys. First post here. Been lurking for a while. I want an older drill press. Maybe something I can restore and then use for metal work mostly and maybe a little wood working.

Its been kind of hard finding a good vintage drill press in my area.

I really like this one but its seems over priced.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/5141331087.html

Any tips on finding older, mostly working drill presses?

Thanks guys.

That looks like a real nice one. Price is high but it doesn't take much damage, missing parts or accessories to make up for that price. That intermediate pulley setup is really nice (and rare).

Around here it could take years of searching to find one like that.

Lack of table elevation, table tilt, table rotate and table tram/alignment would kill the deal for me but it boils down to your needs.

 

[zkling]

I agree, it is high for what it is. I'd rather spend the $ on this.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/5193796649.html

 

[mg283680]

Too bad you aren't closer. I have a '69 Craftsman (Atlas?) 113.24560 taking up space. Both tables have no damage.

 

[Packard V8]

That's a nice $250 drill press at absolute max. No way it's worth anything like $575.

It's not rocket science to make the intermediate pulley if one needs to drill many holes in the 3/8"-1/2" range in steel.

jack vines

 

[catalytic]

Mhd,
Welcome to the group. In regards to your question:
1. Drilling metal, you want a drill rpm of 100 to 300.

I respectfully disagree -- this is a common myth. If you check your machinist's chart, you'll see that a 1/2" drill in mild steel should be run at 600 RPM, and faster for aluminum (and smaller holes = even faster RPM). Most drill presses will go down to 380 RPM, which is slower than you need.

Unless you're making knives and drilling hardened steel or trying to drill some holes that are too big for a regular-sized (15-18") drill press anyways, you don't need slower than 350RPM. My big slow-speed model Clausing drill presses get down into the 200's, but i haven't used those speeds since I did machinist training.

 

[mhdsummers]

Thanks for the input guys.
I really need 110v. I might be able to justify putting in a 220v outlet in the garage but 3 phase is not going to happen.
I dont mind too much paying more than the drill is worth. I tend to spend a long time deciding and then keeping what I have for a long time.

I like doing restorations and I never keep a cost list. That would just be depressing
I think my problem is I have to find something local given shipping would be so expensive for such a big and heavy item. How much luck have you all had at auctions and estate sales? Would it be like finding a needle in a hay stack?

Here are a few other ones I have my eye on.

16" WALKER TURNER DDP 500 - $250
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/tls/5101561663.html

Delta Rockwell 14 inch drill press - $250
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/tls/5190449230.html

Craftsman Standing Drill press - $450
http://reading.craigslist.org/tls/5152717461.html

Thanks again.

 

[nine4gmc]

The 16" Walker Turner for $250 is a deal if everything is there and it works properly. Don't let the 3 phase scare you though, at that price you could buy the machine and a VFD that converts from 220v single phase to 3 phase and have a more capable machine with speed control and forward/reverse.

 

[Davefr]

I dont mind too much paying more than the drill is worth. I tend to spend a long time deciding and then keeping what I have for a long time.

I like doing restorations and I never keep a cost list. That would just be depressing
I think my problem is I have to find something local given shipping would be so expensive for such a big and heavy item. How much luck have you all had at auctions and estate sales? Would it be like finding a needle in a hay stack?

Here are a few other ones I have my eye on.

16" WALKER TURNER DDP 500 - $250
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/tls/5101561663.html

Delta Rockwell 14 inch drill press - $250
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/tls/5190449230.html

Craftsman Standing Drill press - $450
http://reading.craigslist.org/tls/5152717461.html

Thanks again.

I'd keep searching. You're in a part of the country where these vintage machines seem to be pretty common.

Expand your CL search and be prepared to drive several 100 miles for the right machine. I'd also look at Ebay and search for local pickup auctions.

I'd look for a Delta Rockwell 17" DP but not one with variable speed. (assuming your focus is more on metalworking then woodworking). If you're a woodworker then all these machines should be fine.

Here's a Delta Rockwell but I think it's a 15". It's cheap enough that you can throw some restoration $'s at it. It almost looks like that's a table lift table mount.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/5151868145.html

This one's even nicer. Maybe there's a pristine table under that plywood:

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/5125056242.html

Bad arc of shame but the price is right:

http://reading.craigslist.org/tls/5201335185.html

 

[exmaxima1]

I'd look for a Delta Rockwell 17" DP but not one with variable speed. (assuming your focus is more on metalworking then woodworking). If you're a woodworker then all these machines should be fine.

Bad arc of shame but the price is right:

http://reading.craigslist.org/tls/5201335185.html

I have a 40's Delta 17-inch (DP-600) and they are great machines. They have a table lift (absolutely important in my opinion), and good features. Ungodly heavy, though.

That one noted with the arc of shame is a pretty nice model, and it should read "DP225" on the head casting. Having just restored and sold mine, I feel they are smooth machines more ideally suited for wood working as the slowest speed is about 700 rpm. No lift---which is main reason I sold mine---and they are only 14 inch machines. That one has the upgrade handle and a linked belt. If it runs smoothly with no bearing noises it's worth the asking price.

 

[nine4gmc]

I would almost bet that first one you linked to Dave, has the 6 speed pulleys for slow motion metal drilling, it should be a model 15-665. It has the three handles unlike the second one you linked to that has a single bar that makes two handles(probably a 15-017 model). I have a 15-665 floor model now and had a 15-017 bench model before they are both very capable machines and the price is GREAT.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

That's a nice $250 drill press at absolute max. No way it's worth anything like $575.

********, those slow-speed pulleys go for $250+ in restored condition. More like a $400-450 drill press at least, if it runs as well as it looks.

 

[Jim C.]

I'd look for a Delta 17" from the 1940s - 1960s, with a slow speed pulley set up. It's a great DP and well worth the hunt.

Jim C.

 

[mhdsummers]

Thanks for the links.
I have seen most of those but since I dont know a lot about what I am looking at I passed them up. I'll probably go look at the one WT in spring city. Its only 20 mins from my place.
I'll keep everyone posted and feel free to keep the suggestions coming.

 

[exmaxima1]

Thanks for the links.
I have seen most of those but since I dont know a lot about what I am looking at I passed them up. I'll probably go look at the one WT in spring city. Its only 20 mins from my place.
I'll keep everyone posted and feel free to keep the suggestions coming.

If it's that one for $150, that's a Rockwell and looks like a 14-inch. I love how it's all rusty and scarred, yet the seller describes it as "great condition" I wouldn't pay more than $80-100 for it.

Personally, I'd grab the one in Pottstown for $160---looks to be in much better shape. Good Luck.

 

[Davefr]

If it's that one for $150, that's a Rockwell and looks like a 14-inch. I love how it's all rusty and scarred, yet the seller describes it as "great condition" I wouldn't pay more than $80-100 for it.

Personally, I'd grab the one in Pottstown for $160---looks to be in much better shape. Good Luck.

He has to inspect them all in person. They're all going to have scars and rust which would be the least of my concerns. I'd rather see the problems then have them covered up with a can of Krylon.

I'd be more concerned with casting cracks, welds, missing parts, arc of shame, runout, vibration, hack job repairs, etc.

 

[exmaxima1]

He has to inspect them all in person. They're all going to have scars and rust which would be the least of my concerns. I'd rather see the problems then have them covered up with a can of Krylon.

I'd be more concerned with casting cracks, welds, missing parts, arc of shame, runout, vibration, hack job repairs, etc.

Did you look at the CL ad? That drill press looks like it was taken fairly good care of: no dents in the belt guard, clean pulleys, neat paint job (not a quicky paint job). Having recently done a full restore on a similar press, I know how much time and work it takes to get it to that level. Like I said earlier, if the bearings aren't dry, that press is a great deal.

http://reading.craigslist.org/tls/5201335185.html

BTW, this is the press I restored a few months ago and sold for $200:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/tls/5202301252.html