1970s rockwell drill press?

[hdmark80]

I've been looking for a cheap drill press for a little project i have. I picked up a CHEAP used tool shop drill press for 20.00 but i soon realized it was a POS.

On my lunch break i went to an estate sale and spotted this rockwell for 160.00. Too much for me. I called back at the end of the sale and got it the stand and drawer full of bits for 70.00. I think i did ok.

Is this a good drill press? Still made in the U.S.? i need to drill some brass orifices to convert my ng grill to propane, will this do the job? It's in really nice shape but i don't knowhow long it's been sitting. Is there anything I should do to tune it up? There's no play in the chuck, it runs quiet and everything seems smooth.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Good deal. The light itself is worth $70. I have used a 1950's version in the past and they are very well built in the US. They are surprisingly heavy for their size. I do like the earlier cast-iron belt guard better but that is just a looks thing. See manual below on where it needs to be lubricated.

Link to manual:

vintagemachinery.org/pubs/1141/903.pdf

 

[exmaxima1]

Good deal. The light itself is worth $70.

I don't believe that lamp is the valuable "retirement" version, it looks much cheaper. The real lamp is smaller and much heavier.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I don't believe that lamp is the valuable "retirement" version, it looks much cheaper. The real lamp is smaller and much heavier.

I believe you are right. Next time I'll turn my head sideways for a better view

Still not a bad drill press for the money though.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I believe you are right. Next time I'll turn my head sideways for a better view

Still not a bad drill press for the money though.

Not at all. Wonder what the block out plug is for just above the chuckster?

 

[hdmark80]

Good deal. The light itself is worth $70. I have used a 1950's version in the past and they are very well built in the US. They are surprisingly heavy for their size. I do like the earlier cast-iron belt guard better but that is just a looks thing. See manual below on where it needs to be lubricated.

Link to manual:

vintagemachinery.org/pubs/1141/903.pdf

Thanks for the info. It's a bummer about the light but i did pick up another really cool light at the same sale that was attached to an old belt drive grinder. I'll post a pic later.

 

[Billy Jack]

Link to manual:

vintagemachinery.org/pubs/1141/903.pdf

Thanks for the link!

I have that same drill press, without the base, on my bench today. My late father and I stocked up on Rockwell stuff from their outlet store in Pittsburgh, back in the 70's and early 80's when they were based here.
There are a few things I don't like about it: 1) It has no rail on the post to keep the table centered. 2) The table doesn't tilt. 3) The speed range is too fast for my liking.

However, it has been a trouble-free and reliable machine for almost 40 years of light use. My Dad's been gone for over 20 years now and it will stay on my bench for as long as I'm around. Now that I have a copy of the long-lost manual, it's time for a tuneup.

Bill

 

[Roberts210]

That series of Rockwell tools were known as the "Peace sign" Rockwells because of the logo. They're not bad and certainly better than much of what was being sold then.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Thanks for the link!

I have that same drill press, without the base, on my bench today. My late father and I stocked up on Rockwell stuff from their outlet store in Pittsburgh, back in the 70's and early 80's when they were based here.
There are a few things I don't like about it: 1) It has no rail on the post to keep the table centered. 2) The table doesn't tilt. 3) The speed range is too fast for my liking.

In regard to Item 3, one option is to change the motor to a 115V 1140 RPM motor. I had a small drill press with a 1/6HP Baldor motor and it was surprisingly powerful. Just remember that for a given horsepower rating motors with less RPM have a proportionally higher torque. So a 1140 rpm motor will lower your drill press minimum speed from 700rpm to about 460rpm. Just make sure you have a motor with sealed ball bearings. Anything with an oil port is usually 99.9% of the time rated for horizontal operation only.

 

[crguy]

In regard to Item 3, one option is to change the motor to a 115V 1140 RPM motor. I had a small drill press with a 1/6HP Baldor motor and it was surprisingly powerful. Just remember that for a given horsepower rating motors with less RPM have a proportionally higher torque. So a 1140 rpm motor will lower your drill press minimum speed from 700rpm to about 460rpm.

Have you seen a lot of 1140 motors around? I sure haven't. 460 is still too fast for most metal drilling.

 

[exmaxima1]

In regard to Item 3, one option is to change the motor to a 115V 1140 RPM motor.

I did the same thing with my Wilton drill press. It lowered the bottom speed to about 260 rpm. 1140 rpm motors are pretty common for industry and farm use.

 

[Musicinabottle]

The plug is probably to allow access to oil the quill., or whatever that vertical shaft is called in that section

My guess. Marc

I can buy that. Certainly more accurate than all the other guesses!

 

[Marctrees]

I can buy that. Certainly more accurate than all the other guesses!

Well, I just deleted my post, after I read that manual link above.

Ya, it's for lubing access, but ALSO to access somekinda set screw collar behind it.

As per manual.

Nice machine, and woww for the price.

Marc

 

[Packard V8]

460 is still too fast for most metal drilling.

Not really. See the chart.

According to the chart, the RPM range works for up to 3/4" in mild steel; the small hole drilling most home shops do.

jack vines

 

[exmaxima1]

Not really. See the chart.
According to the chart, the RPM range works for up to 3/4" in mild steel; the small hole drilling most home shops do.

jack vines

I believe your chart, but I don't believe that little drill press has the power or rigidity to plunge a 3/4" drill bit into steel. If you don't feed it adequately, you just burn up the bit.

 

[tool_scrounge]

At least from what I saw in the manual that drill press is only rated for 3/8" diameter drills max in mild steel.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Well, I just deleted my post, after I read that manual link above.

Ya, it's for lubing access, but ALSO to access somekinda set screw collar behind it.

As per manual.

Nice machine, and woww for the price.

Marc

In regard to that collar, with this drill along with the Delta/Rockwell 14" DP220 drill press can change the spindle out that has the chuck attached for other tool holders, like a 1/2" diameter router bit holder. The 11" drill uses the same spindle as the 14" DP220 drill press.