CooperS7777
Well-known member
Beautiful! I have an identical drill press sitting in my garage right now, passed down from my grandfather. Refinishing it is on my list of to-do's.
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oldtimehockey
Well-known member
What a gorgeous restoration...!!!
Is it a difficult process to change the speed with the belt and pulleys on these kinds of drill presses?
Is it a difficult process to change the speed with the belt and pulleys on these kinds of drill presses?
Thank you I will use the same paint on my tabletop version...
Still hoping for a pic of that slow speed pulley!
gorgeous piece of machinery!!
question for the guys on GJ: although not universally true, I do often hear people say that machines like these seem to be so much better built than some of the newer cheaper ones. Why is that? Was this type of machine back in its day considered really expensive? (equivalent to what we would pay today for professional grade?) Or, was it just cheaper to manufacture higher quality back in those days? Or, has the general consumer public no longer interested in buying quality? What are your thoughts?
question for the guys on GJ: although not universally true, I do often hear people say that machines like these seem to be so much better built than some of the newer cheaper ones. Why is that? Was this type of machine back in its day considered really expensive? (equivalent to what we would pay today for professional grade?) Or, was it just cheaper to manufacture higher quality back in those days? Or, has the general consumer public no longer interested in buying quality? What are your thoughts?
What I appreciate about the older machines is the weight and thick castings of the iron and the generous use of the steel used in the design of the older machines. They were simple in their design, but built to last.
The newer machines look to save weight so metal parts seem to be of lower quality steel and are lighter by design and of course more use of plastics in their design. You do not get the same sense they are built to last like the older machines.
A E Numan
Well-known member
They could but they don't, but they charge like they do!
My press is from 1951 and the Craftsman catalog has it listed as $121.25 with 1/2hp motor, floor model.
Using http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/ that yields $1111.38 in today's dollars.
That does put it in perspective!
356vintage
Well-known member
Beautiful restoration.
Thanks for posting this! I actually have this exact same model in my shop, sitting unused because the motor has been changed and even on the slowest pulley setting it's way too fast for most of what I need it for. Got it for free and was thinking about just scrapping it, but now you've got me thinking twice. Hell if I could just find the right motor for it I'd have restored it years ago, but I weighed the cost of the motor against just buying a cheapo tabletop press and it didn't seem to make sense.
The only downside to mine is that part of the skirt around the pulley was notched out at some point to run a longer belt with an idler...not totally sure what the purpose of all that was, but since that kinda kills the aesthetic that made me less interested in a restoration.
The only downside to mine is that part of the skirt around the pulley was notched out at some point to run a longer belt with an idler...not totally sure what the purpose of all that was, but since that kinda kills the aesthetic that made me less interested in a restoration.
Was it changed out with a ~3000 rpm motor? That would put the minimum speed around 1200 rpm. Sounds like you may need a slow speed pulley too!
bagged89s10
Well-known member
That drill press is awesome. I just picked one up with the Vari-slo speed control.
SilverCanislupus
New member
Until I saw the top photo, I thought mine was missing some kind of Top Cover, but it happens to have been made back in the Days of "That SPINNING THING ON TOP, DO NOT PUT YOUR FINGERS IN IT BECAUSE YOU WILL LOSE THEM" Common SENSE Mentality.
Chezlake
New member
Looks Awesome. Well Done!!!
I'm about to start a similar project.
I'm about to start a similar project.
Just finished rebuilding one of these old toys. It's working and looking good. Working on the motor now. Is there any tricks to removing the pulley from the motor? Sort of worried about using a puller on the pulley. Would hate to bend it.
DLRandolph
New member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2023
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You guys remember my estate sale find from a few months ago, right? Well, just as soon as I got ...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.i
You guys remember my estate sale find from a few months ago, right? Well, just as soon as I got ...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
I have one exactly like this, but yours is a lot better looking than mine. I recently broke my drill chuck and have been trying to find a replacement, can you direct me to where I can find replacement parts for this?
You guys remember my estate sale find from a few months ago, right? Well, just as soon as I got ...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
The classified forum on this site, eBay, a parts machine from craigslist would be a few good places to start.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
Check with Frank Lee.
FrankLee
Well-known member
I have the exact same drill press. I've had it for 30yrs and just now started researching it. It's a 103 23140 with a Craftsman original motor. It works perfect! That's how things was made then, to last a few lifetimes. It says or I thought this part number came without the motor? Thank you very much for this great article. Was thinking of selling it then I seen all this info and idk now!
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I have this exact model. I am not into restoring these type of items. I would hate to see it turned into scrap. It does run but would need to be restored at least upgrade the electrical wire. Anyone know where I can pass this/sell this guy? It was my grandfather’s, who was an electrician.