11b30b4’s Craftsman 103.23130 & 103.24531 Drill Press rebuild
All Pics have been fixed and uploaded to GJ.
View media item 108492
This thread covers the rebuilding of two drill presses. The first is a Craftsman 100 series (103.23130) and is mostly covered in the first two pages of this thread. The second drill press is a Craftsman 150 series (103.24531) and begins on page 3 of this thread. Thank you for your interest.
Now on to the topic…
In July of 2020 I rebuilt my early 70’s Craftsman 15” drill press (113.213780) and I found that I really enjoyed the process and wanted another press to work on. I quickly knocked out my early 80’s 8” Craftsman benchtop drill press (113.213722) rebuild and was shocked at just how much quality was lost between the 70s and 80s. I knew at some point I wanted to replace my benchtop 8” with a 12” (possibly a Rikon) but I kept coming back to Frank Lee’s thread here on the TGJ for more information and lurking.
I first became aware of Frank’s thread when I was searching the internet for information on how to rebuild the 113 drill press. I quickly realized that Frank was the subject matter expert on the 100 and 150 presses. Frank even posted in my 113 rebuild thread providing some helpful advice. For me, that was like Bruce Lee coming to my Martial Arts class and giving me advice. If you are new to the forum defiantly check out Franks thread here:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227480
I digress, after reading through Franks thread several times, I apparently became infected with the 100 press bug. I started searching locally for a used 100 or 150 press. Offer-up, Craigs list, local classifieds, and Facebook marketplace. After several deals fell through, I found a 100 series benchtop press for sale for $100.00 about 2 hours from me. The add was a month old so I assumed the press was already sold but I messaged the seller anyway. I asked if he still had the press and if he would take $50.00 for it. To my surprise he said yes and I now have this press. Even better, for an additional 10 bucks he drove the press out to me. I knew from the pictures posted that it was very rusty and had been in a barn for decades, but at $60.00 I had to grab it.
Here are some pics.
View media item 108407
View media item 108399
View media item 108411
View media item 108409
View media item 108402
View media item 108403
View media item 108405
As you can see, I have my work cut out for me. Right off I knew that one of the feed handle rods was broken off in the hub, but I have the rod and all the knobs. Also, the hub is dented flat (side closets to the feed stop in the pic below). Next, I noticed the feed stop spacer and feed stop lock nut were missing as well as the chuck key. Also, the headstock lock handle was missing. All of the badges are present but in bad shape. The Motor (Craftsman ½ HP 115.6962) was just as rusty an when I plugged it in is spun then seized. I was able to spin it by hand but its rough, I do not know if it can be salvaged until I get it open.
View media item 108406
View media item 108401
View media item 108400
I have removed the motor and started to disassemble it. I have very limited experience with electrical motors, and this is the first one I have worked with that has a flat capacitor in the base. I am in the process of getting the seized pulley off the motor shaft without damaging either.
View media item 108412
View media item 108408
View media item 108410
View media item 108404
Not to get ahead of myself but I have been inspired by Frank’s thread here on GJ as well as two other threads on OWWM here (I later figured that these threads are also here on GJ):
http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=114313
http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=176198&sid=dedd2641d9afddf881ca948edcb615f3
I doubt I will go as far as jtbinvalrico went with his restoration, but I will do my best to do a good job on this machine.
Dating this press is difficult, based on what Frank has said, I know the following:
I have a tilt table = Before 1956
I have the original floor base casting = Before 1951
I do not have a rapid feed stop = Before 1956
External feed return tension adjustment= Early 100 series
Head stock lock type is = Before 1950
The motor has a stamped code of F1 50 = Possibly 1950 manufacture
The odd thing is the motor mount, it is the ribbed type and that is after 1951. My guess is that this press was a 1949-1950 manufacturer. I suppose it could have been made before 1950 and the original owner may have replaced the motor mount? Who knows, regardless it is an early 100 series. Another oddity is the Philips head screws used to hold the head frame trim on. I suppose they could have been used to replace the slotted (flat head) machine screws but the hey here is that they are not panel screws, so unless the original owner just forced some screws into panel screw holes, these babies date the machine prior to 1951.
My game plan is to safely get the pulley off the motor (Possibly using GirlInAgarage’s method), disassemble the motor and make an assessment on it. Next, complete the disassembly of the press. The quill is completely seized so that will be fun.
Well that is my progress so far. I welcome your input and thanks for the interest.
All Pics have been fixed and uploaded to GJ.
View media item 108492
This thread covers the rebuilding of two drill presses. The first is a Craftsman 100 series (103.23130) and is mostly covered in the first two pages of this thread. The second drill press is a Craftsman 150 series (103.24531) and begins on page 3 of this thread. Thank you for your interest.
Now on to the topic…
In July of 2020 I rebuilt my early 70’s Craftsman 15” drill press (113.213780) and I found that I really enjoyed the process and wanted another press to work on. I quickly knocked out my early 80’s 8” Craftsman benchtop drill press (113.213722) rebuild and was shocked at just how much quality was lost between the 70s and 80s. I knew at some point I wanted to replace my benchtop 8” with a 12” (possibly a Rikon) but I kept coming back to Frank Lee’s thread here on the TGJ for more information and lurking.
I first became aware of Frank’s thread when I was searching the internet for information on how to rebuild the 113 drill press. I quickly realized that Frank was the subject matter expert on the 100 and 150 presses. Frank even posted in my 113 rebuild thread providing some helpful advice. For me, that was like Bruce Lee coming to my Martial Arts class and giving me advice. If you are new to the forum defiantly check out Franks thread here:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227480
I digress, after reading through Franks thread several times, I apparently became infected with the 100 press bug. I started searching locally for a used 100 or 150 press. Offer-up, Craigs list, local classifieds, and Facebook marketplace. After several deals fell through, I found a 100 series benchtop press for sale for $100.00 about 2 hours from me. The add was a month old so I assumed the press was already sold but I messaged the seller anyway. I asked if he still had the press and if he would take $50.00 for it. To my surprise he said yes and I now have this press. Even better, for an additional 10 bucks he drove the press out to me. I knew from the pictures posted that it was very rusty and had been in a barn for decades, but at $60.00 I had to grab it.
Here are some pics.
View media item 108407
View media item 108399
View media item 108411
View media item 108409
View media item 108402
View media item 108403
View media item 108405
As you can see, I have my work cut out for me. Right off I knew that one of the feed handle rods was broken off in the hub, but I have the rod and all the knobs. Also, the hub is dented flat (side closets to the feed stop in the pic below). Next, I noticed the feed stop spacer and feed stop lock nut were missing as well as the chuck key. Also, the headstock lock handle was missing. All of the badges are present but in bad shape. The Motor (Craftsman ½ HP 115.6962) was just as rusty an when I plugged it in is spun then seized. I was able to spin it by hand but its rough, I do not know if it can be salvaged until I get it open.
View media item 108406
View media item 108401
View media item 108400
I have removed the motor and started to disassemble it. I have very limited experience with electrical motors, and this is the first one I have worked with that has a flat capacitor in the base. I am in the process of getting the seized pulley off the motor shaft without damaging either.
View media item 108412
View media item 108408
View media item 108410
View media item 108404
Not to get ahead of myself but I have been inspired by Frank’s thread here on GJ as well as two other threads on OWWM here (I later figured that these threads are also here on GJ):
http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=114313
http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=176198&sid=dedd2641d9afddf881ca948edcb615f3
I doubt I will go as far as jtbinvalrico went with his restoration, but I will do my best to do a good job on this machine.
Dating this press is difficult, based on what Frank has said, I know the following:
I have a tilt table = Before 1956
I have the original floor base casting = Before 1951
I do not have a rapid feed stop = Before 1956
External feed return tension adjustment= Early 100 series
Head stock lock type is = Before 1950
The motor has a stamped code of F1 50 = Possibly 1950 manufacture
The odd thing is the motor mount, it is the ribbed type and that is after 1951. My guess is that this press was a 1949-1950 manufacturer. I suppose it could have been made before 1950 and the original owner may have replaced the motor mount? Who knows, regardless it is an early 100 series. Another oddity is the Philips head screws used to hold the head frame trim on. I suppose they could have been used to replace the slotted (flat head) machine screws but the hey here is that they are not panel screws, so unless the original owner just forced some screws into panel screw holes, these babies date the machine prior to 1951.
My game plan is to safely get the pulley off the motor (Possibly using GirlInAgarage’s method), disassemble the motor and make an assessment on it. Next, complete the disassembly of the press. The quill is completely seized so that will be fun.
Well that is my progress so far. I welcome your input and thanks for the interest.
Last edited: