Antique Drill Press Experts Help

[ALLFAST]

For $25 I could NOT resist.

I know more numbers and names are needed (cleaning to begin soon) but does anyone have a rough idea where I can start on this piece ?

It's extremely well made and has almost no visual runout when running at speed....very SMOOTH. it has a ton of 3 digit numbers cast into the pieces and they all appear the same...very small.
The seller was in their 50s and the grandfather (if alive today would be about 106) procured this as an oilfield welder (lifelong welder in plains states, Bakersfield and Long Beach Ca).
His son (would be 80 today) was a shipyard worker at Mare Island and Richmond Ca during his adulthood.
I believe the motor is an add on but it's very old looking...any thoughts there ?
Although the base looks out of place, it appears to be original as far as fit and casting appearance. It's in remarkable shape. I plan to clean up the appearance of the mismatched motor mount and hardware and add vintage wiring, switch and lamp.
Oh yes, the table surface is PERFECT.....not so much as a scratch or pinhole anywhere.

Thanks!

 

[Musicinabottle]

I believe you have the first drill press ever made. The model before this one was a rock.

That's cool!

 

[Carla]

Hi, Shawn,

That one is an early 'friction drive' variable-speed drill press, one of quite a few similar designs which were popular in the 1890's to 1920's (more or less) As you may see from the design, it originally had a shaft with a friction-roller which would have been movable relative to the periphery of the driven disc on the spindle, to provide the spindle speed variation.

Try an internet search on 'friction drive drill press', to see some which have been nicely restored by old machinery fanatics. (I tried that, and found photos of a very similar machine, built by the 'Washburn Shops' in 1908)

What it now has is a 'kluge-up' with a late '40's or '50's appliance (washing machine or dryer, most likely) motor, quite possibly a 'Popular Mechanics' reader, who was following the then-fad of 'updating' old machines, with 'modern' motors and v-belt drives.

If its original parts were available, it would be an excellent little restoration project, to be sure. As it is.......I doubt an actual restoration would be possible.....except maybe.....someone, somewhere, may have one with its drive components intact, which could be salvaged for parts.....which is one of those 'can't hurt to ask' situations. You might try asking on the Practical Machinist internet board, in the 'antique machinery and history' page....one of the folks who hang out there might just have one, or pieces of one.

cheers

Carla

 

[ALLFAST]

Carla,
As always, you are an encyclopedia of info ! Yes, it's a GE appliance motor. I spent a little time trying to clean off some numbers and have something to go with. It even has what appears is a switch housing cast into the upright neck, with two threaded inserts for a cover plate. It looks like you could run wiring inside the neck directly to the motor for a clean setup.

It's a 2 speed affair and it is VERY well made. I spent a few minutes with scotchbrite and some PB-BLASTER and it will clean up well. I'll definetly be visiting the other boards for information.

 

[wrenchguy]

a lot of times electric motors worn out babbit and bushings faster than the line shaft rpm. nice find.

 

[ALLFAST]

Wrenchguy and Carla,

I appreciate the tips..

Carla, I tried to find your search reference and didn't get far. I visited Vintage machinery.org and need to do some more research. Yes, it's definitely a vintage GE appliance motor ( brazenly embossed on its pristine I'd tag !).I've reached out to the antique drill press guru Cornbinder in hopes of getting on course with proper refurbishment guidance. The quality of this thing is unbelievable. ....the fit and finish, machined surfaces, hardware, casting ribs are all perfect,welds, etc.
If it originally had the 90° drive belt arrangement, I can't visualize how it was. The threaded rod/Jacking screw that seems to support the motor, it mounts up into a round section in the neck. This looks like it may have received a column or shaft but I'm not sure. The height of the arm looks like it hasn't been changed , and the way it's setup I could see it having multiple pulley grooves. I found this the other day but can't find anything about it...must be ancient and rare. Unfortunately, thus far I've found no big beautiful manufacturer names cast into the thing. Just 3 digit numbers everywhere.....I'll keep plugging along and let it simmer on the back burner.

Stay Safe,

Shawn

 

[ALLFAST]

The similar find.

 

[notlob]

As usual, carla hit the nail squarely, accurately, and precisely on it's head. Here are a couple examples of friction drive drill presses. I believe they, and yours, started life powered by a flat belt from a lineshaft (the DP in the top pic has not been "updated" - it is still set up for the original belt drive.)

(source - Practical Machinist)

 

[isb cornbinder]

MISTER ALLFAST:
The picture of your drillpress is not easy to view, in detail. I do not think the motor drive is anything close to an original. I do not know what to suggest other than to leave it the way it is and try to put it to work.
I have four vintage "camelback" drill presses and all but the smallest are in regular service in the shop. The little round belt drive DP is out of service until I find a chuck for it.
My CANEDY-OTTO #24 has a few lower drive pieces missing. To get this drill press into reliable service I made up several "V" pulleys for a hidden shaft drive and speed changes.
I needed another flat-belt pulley so I turned one out on my lathe and the final drive is a leather flat-belt. I built the cabinet to hold the Canedy-Otto on the top and hide the modern USA motor and pulleys and line-shaft
I intend to add another shaft and cone pulley so I can add several more speeds. There will be a forest of belts. BTW: I like and prefer the linked belts in picture #1.

 

[isb cornbinder]

The similar find.

A.R.WILLIAMS MACHINERY is a British Columbia company that used to be located in Vancouver.
It might be interesting to know where you found your ARWM tagged drillpress. Do you live in BC?

 

[crguy]

This one has a similar motor mount, but I don't know who made it, or if it is original.

 

[ALLFAST]

Cornbinder,

I thank you for your information and photos of your beautiful work and machines !

I'm going to park this little beast for awhile and focus on other things. I only paid $25 so at this point
going all out trying to reconfigure it to original is not of interest to me. What I will do is create a machined shaft

to replace the ugly threaded rod for the motor support, and throw an older looking motor on there, to make it appear more vintage (period reproduction wiring and switch, etc). It will clean up beautifully so I may paint it a pretty antique teal or semi gloss black. It runs GREAT.

The photo I posted is just a random one found while researching this new toy...I wish I owned that beauty ! Thanks again ! Shawn

 

[ALLFAST]

CRGUY,

Where did you find this ?! It looks amazingly close, right down to the base and table (both round). Now this is something I can work with.

I sure appreciate you looking this up !

Shawn