Restored Buffalo model 15 drill press, How much?

jen123 · Dec 23, 2011

I just got done restoring this drill press and im looking to sell it, just was wondering what I should price it at to start. Its a precision high speed drill press. top speed is over 6000! I did a total breakdown of the drill press, polish, strip, paint, etc. Thanks guys!

larry_g · Dec 23, 2011

That is a very perty looking DP. Before establishing a price I would have to ask if this restoration included new bearings in the spindle and the motor?

lg
no neat sig line

geologist · Dec 23, 2011

Nice drill. If shipping wouldn't eat me alive, I would love take a crack at it. Pricing is subject to a lot of things. Unfortunately, a lot of people tend to overlook labor, and you've obviously put a fair amount into this because it turned out quite well. I think Red Leader might be able to give you an idea on pricing. He's got a whole garage full of 1950s (or earlier) machinery.

fordbroncodave · Dec 23, 2011

he could take it apart into 4 pieces and ship them separately.

jen123 · Dec 23, 2011

Thanks for the comments guys. The motor has new bearings and the top pulley does. They were all like new, but I changed them anyways.

Jim Johnstone · Dec 23, 2011

I'll be following this one with extreme curiosity as I'm currently rebuilding 3 buffalo drill presses right now.

930dreamer · Dec 23, 2011

Nice looking Buffalo DP.

larry_g · Dec 23, 2011

For me then that would be in the $150 to $200 range. You'll likely get more but I'm a cheap one.

lg
no neat sig line

geologist · Dec 23, 2011

I was thinking $150 - $175, provided you dont have a lot ******* in the drill itself. Locally, I could see you getting $50 to $75 more if it caught someones eye, simply because they wouldnt have to pay to ship it. Its an appreciable machine for sure.

Red Leader · Dec 23, 2011

About $100 is my limit for a drill press unless it has some very specific attachments, but that drill press a higher caliber than the $100 price range. If that was my drill press, I'd want to see around $200 or more.

$200 for that is still a crazy good deal, considering the restored condition and the Cuter Hammer on/off switch.

I'd post that one in the OWWM classifieds if I were you. You might get a few good bites.

jen123 · Dec 23, 2011

Thanks for the comments and advice. I hope someone who really appreciates these type of machines gets it.

Outlawmws · Dec 23, 2011

I think, if that is as small as it looks, and is what I think it really is, it would be difficult to price it against an ordinary bench top DP.

What is the chuck capacity, and throat depth? can you take another pic with say a soda can on the table? Am I wrong or is that thing about 1/2 the overall size of a run of the mill bench top DP?

Is the motor multi speed, and if not which if the three listed speed scales is it? (Is it a 5 speed or a 15 speed?)

larry_g · Dec 24, 2011

Item #8203-410

Technical Specs:

115V/1PH/60HZ
Swing: 15"
Capacity: 1/2"
Motor: 1/2 HP
Quill travel: 4-3/4"
Speeds: 460-920-1725-3400-6300 RPM
Table size: 10" x 11"
Overall size: 18" x 28" x 68" high (with stand)

Found the above at http://goldmachinery.com/machinery/8203.htm

lg
no neat sig line

jen123 · Dec 24, 2011

Thanks for the specs, I appreciate that a lot. the difference between this drill press and say the one you would buy at sears or something, is that it weighs about 130 lbs or so, and it has style. The clamp on the wall (shortest one) is 24" long, and there is a box of shop towels next to the drill press thats like a 11" box or something, so its not small by any means, for a bench top at least. 15" swing. I have the 1725 hp motor on it.

Aaron8x608 · Dec 24, 2011

That looks really nice. It must have been well cared for to start with. I've seen so many with swiss cheese for tables (I have 3, almost 4). The castings look good too as they usually crack where the motor mount stems out. Two other areas that can show wear are the front pulley spindle splines and the quill bore. If those are not sloppy AND you find someone charmed by the DP, I think you could get way more than 200.

Givl Reggin · Dec 24, 2011

jen123 said:
I just got done restoring this drill press and im looking to sell it,!

You put all that work into it and now you want to get rid of it?

Buffalo tool mfg. was the Harbor-Freight of their day... low cost stuff geared primarily towards the home hobbyist. Back in the late 60s one of the local warehouse stores sold their stuff, if I remember correctly, the motors were always sold separately.

jen123 · Dec 24, 2011

I dont really want to, but I have a 20 inch variable speed floor standing one(has the wheel to adjust the speed) I dont really need 2, but it would look nice by the heavy 10. It was a fun restoration and my first time using that color. Ill put it on CL and see if I get any bites. Anyone is welcomed to make an offer, im in Wichita Kansas. Thanks

catsteve · Dec 24, 2011

Just out of interest. What do you drill at 6000 rpm?
serious question. Is there a material that high speed is suited?
My DP is set at the lowest setting (120). i have never felt i needed more.
sorry for going a little off topic.

jen123 · Dec 24, 2011

When using very small drill bits, like sizes 45-60 in material. Works great in hard material, and is very accurate. with the small bits, you dont even feel the bit cutting, so they are way less likely to break. Even if you never use the 6000 rpm setting, at least when friends come over, you can say "my drill press is faster then yours"

Jim Johnstone · Dec 24, 2011

It's bigger than a normal benchtop drill press, it's the same head that the floor model uses, just sitting on a bench top.

Outlawmws said:
I think, if that is as small as it looks, and is what I think it really is, it would be difficult to price it against an ordinary bench top DP.

What is the chuck capacity, and throat depth? can you take another pic with say a soda can on the table? Am I wrong or is that thing about 1/2 the overall size of a run of the mill bench top DP?

Is the motor multi speed, and if not which if the three listed speed scales is it? (Is it a 5 speed or a 15 speed?)

Jim Johnstone · Dec 24, 2011

Givl Buffalo tool mfg. was the Harbor-Freight of their day... low cost stuff geared primarily towards the home hobbyist. Back in the late 60s one of the local warehouse stores sold their stuff said:
I think you're confusing Buffalo tools and Buffalo Blower and forge. Those drill presses were considered very high quality and used in machine shops and industrial factories all over North America.

Just for comparison, General tools bought the rights to the Buffalo 15 drill press design, and still manufacture it in Canada. They retail for $1600.

slopecarver · Dec 24, 2011

the sad part is if you tried to sell this next to a comparably sized new drill press you could get at least $600

Same goes for any old woodworking machine, new stuff is cheaply made and way overpriced in comparison.

For example: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM1348271201P?prdNo=12&blockNo=12&blockType=G12

jen123 · Dec 24, 2011

Tell me about it, if I asked that much people would think im crazy! but we all know what is made better. im sure if one of these newer benchtop DP's would fall apart if it could go up to 6000 rpm!

fordcragar · Dec 24, 2011

A friend talked me out of selling my other drill press and it was good advice. If you have a project going, it is nice to set both of them up with different drills/countersinks or whatever to get the job done. If you look at the savings there, you might change your mind.

kc-steve · Dec 24, 2011

Jen, that drill press looks perfect, MINT condition! I would make a quick trip down your way to pick that up for the right price.

Thanks for sharing,
Steve

RCL · Dec 24, 2011

PM sent

fiatsam · Dec 28, 2011

That's a beauty. I wish I was closer, as I'm currently in the market for a small bench-top drill press (although this is probably a bit bigger and much more powerful than what I would ever need).

I have no idea on price, but for someone like me (and I'm sure there are others) price isn't my first consideration when purchasing tools (or anything for that matter). I'd much rather spend more on a quality used American-made tool that's going to last, than a cheap offshore unit from (insert whatever brand, probably doesn't matter much). So whether you said $100, $200, or even $300 (probably my own personal limit for a DP), if it had the specs that I was looking for it wouldn't concern me that I could get something else brand-new one for half the price.

Do you have any smaller ones waiting in the wings for restoration?

-Brent- · Dec 28, 2011

If I was closer, I'd be ALL over it. What a beauty! Hmm, I will be driving east to west in April? PM me the number you've got in your head. Maybe we can work something out.

Restored Buffalo model 15 drill press, How much?

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