1940's drill press

[throttlejunkie1]

Ok, don't flame me just yet as I do not have pics...but I will later today. I put up a craiglist add to sell my 16" Dremel scroll saw and my Delta 2 wheel band saw (that I've never used) so I could buy this little 1970's AMT drill press here local where I live. In my add, I also quoted that I wanted to trade for an "old" drill press.

I gotta bigger bite! This guy called me and wants to trade what he's got for my saws. Its a 1940's Craftsman drill press. He said he's been having trouble keeping the belt on the pulleys and that he also had to replace the motor last year, but still has the original one. He just went out and bought a new one. He's gonna email me pics later today, and I might even drive up 30 miles to get it. I can't wait!

 

[2oolhound]

More info pls. Are they floor models or bench top. More important is the size as in the distance from the centre of the chuck to the main tube X 2. Also the HP and chuck size.

It sounds like an alignment problem on the belts. Maybe he installed the pulley off a bit when he switched motors. You should be able tom see that by eye though.

 

[throttlejunkie1]

I'll get more info when I get back. About to head that way and pick it up.

 

[throttlejunkie1]

Well, just got back from picking it up!

Its new home in the garage

What do yall think...i know its in pretty rough shape

Only other numbers I could find on it: 18921-103 And the distance from the drill bit thats in it is 7 3/4" from the pole. I'm thinking its a 1950's-60's model maybe???

 

[edboyles]

I have the bench model like that...... they are built like a tank! I think you did good!

 

[throttlejunkie1]

Thanks. Here's the break down of the total cost:

TRADED straight across
16" Dremel scroll saw- picked up free 3 yrs ago.
Delta 2 wheel band saw- $5 at a yard sale earlier this year.

So, $5 plus $20 in gas (gestimate) to get there and back = $25


He couldn't find the original motor but he knows its in his shop somewhere. He's gonna bring it to me next time he's down my way. I wanted it (I don't really know why).

In the end..good guy! He was super happy and he was on why I was so happy lol!

 

[throttlejunkie1]

I found this picture over on the HAMB, but I can tell a few subtle differences between mine and others on the web i've came across. Example, the drilling plate and the base plate look different on mine...but then again, those might not be original. Can anybody come up with a year?

 

[bte0816]

Sweet drill. My granddad dropped one off at my house today he has been trying to give me for a while. He didn't want something to happen to him and me not get it. Rewiring it is job #1.

 

[omr]

i have the bench top model for a back up , it's a heavy duty piece

 

[throttlejunkie1]

Sweet drill. My granddad dropped one off at my house today he has been trying to give me for a while. He didn't want something to happen to him and me not get it. Rewiring it is job #1.

Right on! Thats a keeper

i have the bench top model for a back up , it's a heavy duty piece

Do you have any pics you could share?

 

[chris fresh]

heres the bench top version,i absolutly love it.i also have a stand up delta wich i hate,run out is awful.maybe after a little tweaking it will be better,but no where near the qaulity of the old stuff.

 

[mikew13]

You need a new quill pulley, present quill pulley looks beat up.

 

[edboyles]

You need a new quill pulley, present quill pulley looks beat up.

Good observation!

 

[Arachnotron]

You can try and match your part number with one of these:

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=222&tab=4&sort=2&th=false&fl=Drill Press

 

[bluebolt]

I found this picture over on the HAMB, but I can tell a few subtle differences between mine and others on the web i've came across. Example, the drilling plate and the base plate look different on mine...but then again, those might not be original. Can anybody come up with a year?

I think you have a 1950's head with 1970's base and table.

See these links, the first shows a picture of your table with an optional tilting table. http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=41

This one shows the base you have:
http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=6163

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Mine...

 

[2oolhound]

You did good, that's a nice lookin dp. If you stand behind it at the same height as the drive pulley does it look like it lines up properly to the front pulley? You may have to adjust the motor height to line them up properly.

 

[omr]

Do you have any pics you could share?

looks like his VVVVVV lol

Mine...

 

[knotheads]

Well, just got back from picking it up!

Its new home in the garage

What do yall think...i know its in pretty rough shape

Only other numbers I could find on it: 18921-103 And the distance from the drill bit thats in it is 7 3/4" from the pole. I'm thinking its a 1950's-60's model maybe???

if i am not mistaken that craftsman drill press was made by king seely and rebadged for craftsman. king seely made some pretty nice machines

 

[throttlejunkie1]

You need a new quill pulley, present quill pulley looks beat up.

I believe your correct....its gonna need more than that though

 

[throttlejunkie1]

I think you have a 1950's head with 1970's base and table.

See these links, the first shows a picture of your table with an optional tilting table. http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=41

This one shows the base you have:
http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=6163

I bet what happend is this one was probably a bench model and someone wanted it to be a floor DP a long time ago

 

[throttlejunkie1]

Well, got home at a decent time today and it was nice and cloudy with scattered showers so I left the ws6 outside and set up shop in the garage. After soaking everything with PB blaster, I finally got it all torn down and ready for inspection. I'll be taking the heavy stuff in for media blast this week at work (head, work plate, floor plate). One of the bearings on the quill pulley needs replaced, and I need to somehow track down some of the press handles from somewhere...

Got all the rust off the pole...Just need to continue to step down in grit to get that nice shine from it. I coated it before I put it away so it wouldn't flash rust.

 

[Stuart in MN]

It's generally known as the model 150, there are a bunch of us here who have them. I believe Craftsman sold them from around 1950 all the way into the late 1960s, with only minor changes along the way (like the paint color or the style of the logo.) Yours looks like an older one, early 1950s. They had both a floor model and a benchtop model, the heads are the same with just a longer mast and different base. There are several threads here about them, including at least one detailed restoration thread.

 

[throttlejunkie1]

Thanks for the info

I've stumbled across some good info about these DP's on here. This has been a lot of fun working/learning on old tools manufactured decades ago. My 6yr old has been a great little helper with all this too!

 

[throttlejunkie1]

For parts availability, none of the hardware stores really have what I need. I'm looking for 3 replacement crank handles w/ knobs, and possibly a new chuck arbor. I'm not having any luck on the internet.

 

[exmaxima1]

For parts availability, none of the hardware stores really have what I need. I'm looking for 3 replacement crank handles w/ knobs, and possibly a new chuck arbor. I'm not having any luck on the internet.

The threads are certain to be American so you could likely whip some handles up from threaded rods and threaded machine knobs, all available at Menards (or Lowes/Home Depot). Probably less than $20 total, and ill get the job done.

If you need a new shaft (arbor) your only recourse will be eBay for a used one. However, having owned 3 of those drill presses over the years, I wouldn't spend the money on bearings and arbor. If it is that bad, sell it for parts. There are numerous better drill presses around such as Delta, Atlas (Craftsman before around 1949), Clausing, Powermatic, etc. I bought a very nice US-made variable speed Wilton a few years ago for $40 (plus the cost of a new belt). All of those drill presses are far better than the 50's/60's era Craftsman presses. You can spend alot of cash fixing up that Craftsman, and end up with a machine worth less than you put into it.

Flame suit on.....

 

[throttlejunkie1]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to make a trip to the hardware store for some o stock and just cut/thread them myself. Knobs...I'll keep looking.

No flaming here. I appreciate enlightenment from others perspectives. It is rational to say the least, but so far, i'm only $25 into the whole project.

As for the arbor, i'm gonna soke it in ATF over the next week while i'm working on other things. Hopefully, that will free it up a bit.

 

[throttlejunkie1]

Finished my handles for the turn crank this morning. The guys next door here at work showed me how to use a lathe. I bought some 3/8" o stock ($3.97 for 36") for the handles and the machine shop made me some nice brass knobs. Threading was a PITA though.

 

[edboyles]

Looks better than original!! What is the matter with the arbor shaft?

Keep us posted........

 

[mrbreezeet1]

heres the bench top version,i absolutly love it.i also have a stand up delta wich i hate,run out is awful.maybe after a little tweaking it will be better,but no where near the qaulity of the old stuff.

Looks a lot like this one.
good drill press's mine will pass the nickle test.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[throttlejunkie1]

Looks better than original!! What is the matter with the arbor shaft?

Keep us posted........

Its super tight trying to loosen and tighten with the chuck to get any drill bit in and out. I have it soaking in ATF, seeing if that will free it up

mrbreezeet1 (Tony), that DP looks great!



I guess the only thing I'm lacking for parts is the stop collar shaft and the lock nuts to go with it. They all look pretty universal to me. I'm more than likely not going to need it, but it would be nice to have.

 

[edboyles]

What's the "nickle test"?

Your DP does look great!

 

[mrbreezeet1]

The threads are certain to be American so you could likely whip some handles up from threaded rods and threaded machine knobs, all available at Menards (or Lowes/Home Depot). Probably less than $20 total, and ill get the job done.

If you need a new shaft (arbor) your only recourse will be eBay for a used one. However, having owned 3 of those drill presses over the years, I wouldn't spend the money on bearings and arbor. If it is that bad, sell it for parts. There are numerous better drill presses around such as Delta, Atlas (Craftsman before around 1949), Clausing, Powermatic, etc. I bought a very nice US-made variable speed Wilton a few years ago for $40 (plus the cost of a new belt). All of those drill presses are far better than the 50's/60's era Craftsman presses. You can spend alot of cash fixing up that Craftsman, and end up with a machine worth less than you put into it.

Flame suit on.....

Oh, you don't think these are very good drill presses?
I always thought everyone said they were good ones.
Got to be better than some of the import ones you buy today.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Finished my handles for the turn crank this morning. The guys next door here at work showed me how to use a lathe. I bought some 3/8" o stock ($3.97 for 36") for the handles and the machine shop made me some nice brass knobs. Threading was a PITA though.

Those are nice,
did you thread the handles on a lathe or with a die by hand?
What about the brass knobs, are they threaded or pressed on to the rods?
Thanks,
Tony

 

[mrbreezeet1]

What's the "nickle test"?

Your DP does look great!

Guess I spelled it wrong too,

Nickel, (The coin) where you balance the nickel on edge and turn the machine on, and it does not fall over.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[throttlejunkie1]

Those are nice,
did you thread the handles on a lathe or with a die by hand?
What about the brass knobs, are they threaded or pressed on to the rods?
Thanks,
Tony

I die'd both ends by hand with a 3/8"-16 die and tapped the brass knobs...cleaned, dried, and screwed on by hand! Worked out really well. I'm going to pick me up some lock-tite tape before I thread them into the crank wheel.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

I think it's lovely, like mine in the avatar is lovely. No plastic makes it perfect.

 

[edboyles]

The fact that these survived 50 to 60 years speaks for itself. I got mine from my FIL when he passed away. One of the few good tools that he had.......

 

[throttlejunkie1]

Alright, this mast corrosion is kicking my ****. It's just too damn hot outside for that kind of labor at home lol! I'm just gonna take it with me to work and put it in the lathe and cut .0001 off it. It'll look brand new then.

 

[exmaxima1]

Oh, you don't think these are very good drill presses?
I always thought everyone said they were good ones.
Got to be better than some of the import ones you buy today.
Thanks,
Tony

I had a few of the 50's Craftsman bench top models when I was young and they were fine as long as you didn't need the highest speeds. I got a floor model about 20 years ago and thought it was ok, but the runout was only average, the spindle was sloppy, and highest speed was very noisy. I ditched the floor model when I got a 40's/50's Walker-Turner. It was much smoother and tighter. The table was better, the locks were better, everything was better------and it only cost me $60.
I recently had a MINT 1947 Atlas 12" bench model and it was smooth as butter in every speed. It weighed 147 lbs, the pulleys were machined and balanced (unlike the later Craftsman stuff), and the bearings were real Timkens. Paid $100 for it, and would have kept it except I don't have the room for it .
There are numerous old Delta/Rockwells being sold for cheap, so why not treat yourself to something nicer that performs with precision, runs smoother, has more spindle stroke, and typically has a better table to clamp to (those Craftsman 150's **** for clamps). Put a new belt on it, maybe a nicer chuck if it has a morse taper, and pass it on to your children.

Matthew