Show us your cool, "old" drill press

[bubinga]

It's currently variable from 350 to 4250 RPM. I could add a VFD and overclock the motor by approx. 30% and get to over 5000 RPM. Or turn the speed wheel down to 350 and then dial down the VFD to around 10 Hz. That would get me <100 RPM.

It's also quicker and easier to turn a little potentiometer then to turn the speed wheel.

And you can also get reverse with a VFD.

It might not be worth the expense/hassle though.

l got a reeves drive set up on my old oliver lathe, took off a single phase motor, and put a VFD service motor, and a 110 volt VFD, I totally love it.
I will reverse to sand sometimes,
when i'm ready to finish, crank my Reeves way down as looooooooooow as it will go, and turn the VFD to abt. 10 HZ, and brush on my finish.............

 

[xman_charl]

about 15 years old
1/2 belt width, 3 pulleys
2 1/2 DC motor

Charl

 

[michaelwolson]

Sitting here bored at work I finally decided to start posting on the forums. I picked this up at a garage sale for $30 a while ago.

The first picture is me taking it home. That thing was a beast to load into my truck.

Knew it was a great drill press because I had always lurked this site and followed this thread.

Now I'm happy to say I can post in it.

Original plan was to clean it up but then I just started using it and gave my dad my old (new 2017) bench top craftsman drill press. So now I can't refurb it.

 

[Miller72]

I knew I would have to have a drill press by the time I looked thru this thread
The hunt is expanded yet again, sorry honey

 

[jonhdw]

My freshly restored Boice Crane 2600 helmet head press. I kept the original patina and just clear coated it. Looks cool I think.

 

[Outlawmws]

My freshly restored Boice Crane 2600 helmet head press. I kept the original patina and just clear coated it. Looks cool I think.

That seems to be a "thing" now: Yesterday I saw about a 58 Chevy PU with bare metal, a half doze colors of paint showing where he'd started sanding it for paint prep, then it was clear coated!

It was weird in a cool way...

As long as it works for ya!

 

[jonhdw]

That seems to be a "thing" now: Yesterday I saw about a 58 Chevy PU with bare metal, a half doze colors of paint showing where he'd started sanding it for paint prep, then it was clear coated!

It was weird in a cool way...

As long as it works for ya!

Yeah I did that finish on a couple vises too and they didn't sell for much at all. I probably won't do it again. It's way more work than just painting it!

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

I did a Famco Drill Press that way. The paint was decent but there were some ware marks so why go through the trouble of repainting it I just wiped it down with BLO. It has really good run out .0015 I installed a new Baldor 1125 RPM motor I found on CL for $50 its a great little machine.

 

[trijeff]

That FAMCO is great, Cro!

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Thanks trijeff here it is with the Baldor doesn't look as cool as the original motor that i kept but I like the lower RPM with the Baldor when I have to drill a larger hole in steal.

 

[tin medic]

Picked up this Craftsman 150 awhile back. The original owner added the awesome power switch. I cleaned it up and rewired from the switch to the motor as he had spliced a couple pieces together. It has a 3 pulley system which I'm not familiar with so I still need to figure out the belt setup. I works great and is actually pretty quiet. The motor is the original from what I understand

 

[exmaxima1]

Picked up this Craftsman 150 awhile back. The original owner added the power switch unless its original, but I doubt it. I cleaned it up and rewired from the switch to the motor as he had spliced a couple pieces together.

OMG, that switch is killing me...please make it stop.

 

[jonhdw]

I did a Famco Drill Press that way. The paint was decent but there were some ware marks so why go through the trouble of repainting it I just wiped it down with BLO. It has really good run out .0015 I installed a new Baldor 1125 RPM motor I found on CL for $50 its a great little machine.

Looks amazing!

 

[jonhdw]

Picked up this Craftsman 150 awhile back. The original owner added the awesome power switch. I cleaned it up and rewired from the switch to the motor as he had spliced a couple pieces together. It has a 3 pulley system which I'm not familiar with so I still need to figure out the belt setup. I works great and is actually pretty quiet. The motor is the original from what I understand

Nice looking! Yeah that Motor looks original. I've been trying to find an original Motor for by Boice. The baldor on there now isn't even the right type.

 

[tin medic]

OMG, that switch is killing me...please make it stop.

I need a pic of a correct switch so I can put it back to original.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[chrislehr]

My three...


First up a 1970's Rockwell 15-665 - this came from a middle school and was 3 phase, but intact.. the table has seen better days.. sanded/grinded it down but still has the ring of shame.
20170721_220715081_iOS by Chris Lehr, on Flickr

Finally - my bench Delta Homecraft 1950s - 11" - a PO added the middle pulley - I don't think that was an option - but it works nicely to adjust speeds. The light switch here kills me too - its on my list of things to address.
20170703_214446631_iOS by Chris Lehr, on Flickr

And the latest addition - my $90 Powermatic 1150a. It looks like it survived a fire, but it works, and has the table raising mechanism which is sort of rare (esp with the smallest table they had)

I got the chuck freed up, a cast part replacement on the way, and will likely get this all cleaned up soon.
20170815_214641560_iOS by Chris Lehr, on Flickr

I think the RW will become a mortiser in time. The PM will be the goto for most heavy work, and the bench for smaller efforts.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I'm not sure how old this Rockwell 15-655 is. My uncle bought it at a machinery auction right before he passed away. I got it back in 2011 or so. Never really thought about it until now. Table is is in excellent shape and has very little runout.

Im curious as to what this little flapper is for. Oil? Haven't used it much and hadn't really poked around until today.

 

[Outlawmws]

That is an oil port/small reservoir.

Interesting: Mine just has a hole there...

 

[AngryBeaver]

She works good. Runs true enough to drill a broken bolt out and remove it without destroying the threads. Lol

 

[Davefr]

I just completed the restoration/rebuild of this Delta/Rockwell 17-600. I decided to VFD it. I used a Baldor 1.5 HP 3 phase TEFC motor and a Teco L510 VFD.

The Reeves speed dial adjusts it from 350 - 4250 RPM and the VFD can get it down to 25 RPM at the 350 RPM setting with enough torque that you can't stop it with your hand. It also gives you reverse for L.H. drilling and makes all speed tweaks fast and easy. I could overclock the motor to get >4250 RPM but that already seems plenty fast.

I'm less then thrilled with the Reeves VS system. (never had this style machine before). I guess it's common for them to be noisy from belt squirm. I think I prefer my older 17-600 which is much quieter.

DP restoration can be kind of addictive.

 

[RHJO51]

I posted this as a new thread without much response so though I'd post here. I recently picked up a Walker Turner floor model DP for the cool Craftsman variable speed/reversible crown top motor, to use on my late 50's Craftsman 150 DP. I'll get another motor for the Walker Turner DP and move it on to a new owner. But what model/yr is this DP? Guessing it's a Frankenstein because I can't find any pics of a WT with this rectangular base. Base does look like it could have been WT but...Table has the release lever underneath. No model number on the badge - pre 1939? Any ideas on the model/date? I'd likee to know what this base might be off of, I can't find a similar anywhere. Thanks - Jim

 

[RHJO51]

More pics

 

[tool_scrounge]

I'm less then thrilled with the Reeves VS system. (never had this style machine before). I guess it's common for them to be noisy from belt squirm. I think I prefer my older 17-600 which is much quieter.

DP restoration can be kind of addictive.

I heard from someone that the Powermatic variable speed drill manual recommend paraffin wax to be applied to the belt to quiet down. I tried it and it definitely reduced the belt squeal.

 

[SMOKEYBEAR]

Snagged this today, just needs a bit of cleaning and lubrication. I've already removed the motor and replaced the worn cord with splices.

 

[schor]

picked this up on the half price day at a local estate sale. wound up getting 60% off because of other purchases. after i flip a few other things from the sale, this will be free (it wasn't expensive to begin with).
it has some previous owner modifications which i hope to remove or upgrade. i do like the home-made pulley-belt cover. It seems to be in pretty decent condition. i'd like to find the middle table for it though.
Atlas 1020

Check ebay for a table.

 

[454ragtop]

yeah, checked ebay. the ones on there right now are kinda skanky. i'm going to keep an eye out for ont there though. if anyone has one, let me know. it's not critically important in the grand scheme of things, it would just be nice to have one at some point.

What's the column diameter and the throat size? I have an old Craftsman drill press I'm parting, pretty sure it was Atlas sourced. I have the tilting table and column bracket.

 

[Mike maker]

My 1950's Homecraft. Has never let me down. Inherited from my father who bought it new. It is the only drill press that I have ever owned and have been using it since I was 7 years old.

 

[McBrownie]

My 1950's Homecraft. Has never let me down. Inherited from my father who bought it new. It is the only drill press that I have ever owned and have been using it since I was 7 years old.

Mike,

Nice drill press and extra special since it’s been in the family so long.

 

[Outlawmws]

That has some very cool details! (see post 1914 below)

 

[AdrianBoomer]

So here's my 1940's Craftsman that I restored. Completely torn down, cleaned and repainted. Fabricated a replica pulley cover and had the Craftsman water decal reproduced as well. I attached before and after photos.

I want to show the one I did a few years ago. I love this and have since set it up for woodworking applications. Something I gave up on was the decals. I would any assistance you can provide in leading me to the old school ball bear decal!

My other press in a Dp220 which I also love!

 

[Vintage Veloce]

Whoops, had internet problems. Deleted the old post and here it is again, fixed. ;-)

Just found this baby on craigslist last night and grabbed it this morning!
I'm in love with the cast aluminum feed arm.
Tiger Tools 16
Apparently from the early 50's, likely made in California
(My thanks to ZRX61 for his posts on a similar press, as those helped me last night when I was researching the purchase!)

Pictures:

 

[JZiggy]

Whoops, had internet problems. Deleted the old post and here it is again, fixed. ;-)

Just found this baby on craigslist last night and grabbed it this morning!
I'm in love with the cast aluminum feed arm.
Tiger Tools 16
Apparently from the early 50's, likely made in California
(My thanks to ZRX61 for his posts on a similar press, as those helped me last night when I was researching the purchase!)

Pictures:

Holy cow, that is so cool!!

 

[Outlawmws]

I want to show the one I did a few years ago. I love this and have since set it up for woodworking applications. Something I gave up on was the decals. I would any assistance you can provide in leading me to the old school ball bear decal!

My other press in a Dp220 which I also love!

Are you talking about the Timkin decals, or was it SKF? I've seen some guys replicating them...

 

[RyesWood]

Just been re-building this WT drill press, thanks for all the ideas that you guys have posted. I still have a few bits to add before it runs, on/off switch, power cable and belts.

 

[AdrianBoomer]

Are you talking about the Timkin decals, or was it SKF? I've seen some guys replicating them...

Im thinking the old school decal with the wings, Craftsman Ball bearings. I would love to find a couple of them fo a few tools that used to have them.

 

[Squashfest81]

Picked this little guy up yesterday. Didn't even know they made a 12 and a 1/4. Thanks FrankLee.

 

[454ragtop]

You're welcome!


I have an opportunity to pick up this one for a reasonable price. It looks like it's missing the belt cover. I don't recognize the brand, though. Can someone help me out please?

Frank it looks like a Dayton http://www.vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=12929

 

[Username already in use]

Last night, I went to pick up a Craftsman block grinder that I found on Craigslist. Grinder spins like a top. Cool.
So I ask, 'got anything else you're selling?' Yeah, he says, I've got this 1944 Delta drill press.
Cool! How much?
Asking $375...
So I look it over and it's not in the best of shape, but I think it's very restorable. Has cranks on the side to raise and lower the table and the head. The quill spins fine, but the newer Dayton motor is missing the capacitor, so I can't see it run.
No worries, because I have a Baldor motor at the house I can hang off the back.
Spend some time schooling him on the machine and tell him that I was going to look at a similar vintage Atlas for $75, but that one runs and drives.
He says, 'so you'd take it for $75?'
I think about it for a few minutes while we check out the grinder. Probably too good of an opportunity to pass on.
I offer $60 to take it away with me...
SOLD!

Anyway, you came here for the pics. Like I said, it needs some love. But I just couldn't leave it behind.

Serial number is 26-86110

 

[yaidunno]

Nice job on the Delta 17. I'd suggest that you find some cast belt covers and the period correct Delta motor for it. They are fantastic machines.

 

[454ragtop]

Wow Jason, great score. Don't often see a head raiser and table raiser on the same machine. Is the motor missing the cap, or is it a 3 phase motor? If 3 phase, consider adding a VFD. PM me your address and I'll send you the missing nuts and special washer for the depth stop.