Antique Drill Press in Auction

[VocaTexas]

There's an auction held every couple of months that I attend fairly regularly. Today I was looking to see what was in the auction this month and saw this:



Any idea what it is and what it's worth? I love old iron and I know there are several scrap metal guys that buy some stuff there and sell it for scrap. I'd hate to see an old piece of history melted down if I could possibly save it.

 

[jakemac]

Can't tell you who made it, but it's an old hand operated post drill.
19th century to mid-20th in areas without electricity.

 

[crguy]

Those are actually very common. That one is modified, missing parts, & very rusty. Let the scrappers have it.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I saw one in similar condition fetch less the $20 a few months back at the auction I frequent. It was missing pieces but it looks like it had been kept oiled. I can't remember who bought it, but it was not a scrapper. For less then $10 I would be tempted, although i have been working on my impulse control....

 

[ducksface]

They're 20 bucks, forty for perfect.
Of course I can't find one to save my life now that I have a clock motor strong enough to turn one....

 

[jakemac]

In New England, $50-$300 depending on condition and who's selling.

 

[notlob]

I see old post drills occasionally at estate sales around here. More often than not, no one wants them. Same is true for older RAS's and older table saws.