Buffalo 15 inch Drill Press Questions

[JeremyBurke]

Guys I recently bought a Buffalo Forge Drill Press off Craigslist for 50 bucks. Or at least I thought it was. Turns our the head is Buffalo Forge, obviously from the pictures, the motor has been replaced with a Dayton, and since these older ones had the switch built into the motor mount that was replaced as well. The stranger part is the base and perhaps the column and table have been swapped with a Boice-Crane setup. I assume that the column and table have been swapped because the head won't clamp tight to the column but the table and collar just below the head both do. If anyone has any options for fixing these issues including replacing the column, table and base with a more correct one. I would love to hear them. Thanks.

 

[jakemac]

The pictures aren't showing up for me, but you could try making a curved shim to hold the head up. Place it between the set screws and the column.

 

[JeremyBurke]

I should have stated that the column is 2-3/4" or very close and that seems to be the right size. just maybe a little under.

 

[JeremyBurke]

Also I don't know why the pictures aren't working when you right click and select open in a new tab they work but not in the post for some reason. I guess the web publisher is catching up. I added attached pictures that I will remove later.

 

[JeremyBurke]

The pictures aren't showing up for me, but you could try making a curved shim to hold the head up. Place it between the set screws and the column.

I was thinking that would work. It is a pinch style no set screws just a big levered hand screw that locks the column.

 

[sasquatch12]

Pics work fine for me.
Agreed on the shim, an easy solution.

 

[454ragtop]

Make a shim out of a beer can, vary how far around the column you go to arrive at the right tension.
Jim

 

[JeremyBurke]

Ooh beer can shim. I like cheap fixes.

In another note if anyone has a Boice-crane drill press without a column I'll trade for a buffalo column.

 

[larry_g]

You give the column diameter of 2 3/4". What is the diameter of the hole in the head casting? If it is 2 3/4" then it should fit the column nice and you only have a problem with the locking mech which is called a split cotter. Looking at the one picture of the tightening handle it looks to not be a correct fit in the casting leading me to believe that something is missing in the lock. I am just south of Salem so if you want to drag it by sometime I could have a look with you and maybe come up with a solution.

If the head casting is not a good fit to the column then more drastic measures are in order.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[1930artdeco]

Having the motor and switch replaced is common. My motor was switched out to Dayton and my switch is the same as yours and it should be fine. As far as the column goes, if it fits the head fine then just shim the locking mechanism. If not then just go down to the local metal recycler and buy the correct size and swap it out. Also, the reason your foot plate is different is that your press may have been a 'gang head' press set up at some point. Mine was and I bought foot and table from a guy on OWWM for $25.

Mike

 

[Voi]

In another note if anyone has a Boice-crane drill press without a column I'll trade for a buffalo column.

I know of a Boice Crane Helmet Head for sale. It's just the head. The column, table and base are missing. I don't now if the guy selling it would ship or if it would be worth your time. I snapped a pic of it this morning but can't post it right now.

 

[JeremyBurke]

Having the motor and switch replaced is common. My motor was switched out to Dayton and my switch is the same as yours and it should be fine. As far as the column goes, if it fits the head fine then just shim the locking mechanism. If not then just go down to the local metal recycler and buy the correct size and swap it out. Also, the reason your foot plate is different is that your press may have been a 'gang head' press set up at some point. Mine was and I bought foot and table from a guy on OWWM for $25.

Mike

Mike,
Thanks for the heads up I will check out OWWM to see if there are others that might make me a deal like that.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[JeremyBurke]

I know of a Boice Crane Helmet Head for sale. It's just the head. The column, table and base are missing. I don't now if the guy selling it would ship or if it would be worth your time. I snapped a pic of it this morning but can't post it right now.

I would love to see it please feel free to PM me the details and I will call the guy.

Cheers,
Jeremy

 

[JeremyBurke]

You give the column diameter of 2 3/4". What is the diameter of the hole in the head casting? If it is 2 3/4" then it should fit the column nice and you only have a problem with the locking mech which is called a split cotter. Looking at the one picture of the tightening handle it looks to not be a correct fit in the casting leading me to believe that something is missing in the lock. I am just south of Salem so if you want to drag it by sometime I could have a look with you and maybe come up with a solution.

If the head casting is not a good fit to the column then more drastic measures are in order.

lg
no neat sig line

Thanks for the note Larry,
The column and head are off by under 0.050" if I had to guess. It fits and isn't sloppy just doesn't lock. If shimming doesn't Work I may take you up on the offer to help.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[larry_g]

Thanks for the note Larry,
The column and head are off by under 0.050" if I had to guess. It fits and isn't sloppy just doesn't lock. If shimming doesn't Work I may take you up on the offer to help.

Thanks,
Jeremy

http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/Projects/TailstockToolHolder/tailstocktoolholder.html
Above is a link to one guy making a split cotter. about half way down the page he shows it in his hand. Take your lock apart and see if you have both parts of the lock in there and they are a good fit to the bore through the head casting.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[JeremyBurke]

http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/Projects/TailstockToolHolder/tailstocktoolholder.html
Above is a link to one guy making a split cotter. about half way down the page he shows it in his hand. Take your lock apart and see if you have both parts of the lock in there and they are a good fit to the bore through the head casting.

lg
no neat sig line

Thanks Larry,
I may have a chance to take it apart tonight and send in photos of what I find thanks for the help.

Cheers,
Jeremy

 

[Voi]

I would love to see it please feel free to PM me the details and I will call the guy.

Cheers,
Jeremy

Thought I'd post the pic here in case others saw it and had input about the model and whether it's the right one for your base and column.

I'm fairly certain this is the model called a "Helmet Head" and I think it only came in 15". It would be easy for me to go back and measure that.

It's in an industrial surplus store in my area and it doesn't appear to be priced yet. I need to talk to the owner about another deal and I'd be happy to inquire if you like.

It's obviously missing the pulley cover and it also doesn't have a motor. I can't image it will be cheap enough to be worth your while but I guess you never know. I'll go back and take some measurements, check the chuck and lower the spindle and see if I can detect any excessive play.

For what it is worth, last winter I started to look into temporarily converting my old Delta DP into a bench top model. I did some research and found that while 2.75" is a common column diameter it doesn't necessarily mean that columns from different manufacturers can be switched back and forth due to slight size variances.

But too small is better than too big, of course, so hopefully you'll be able to shim yours.

 

[JeremyBurke]

...
It's in an industrial surplus store in my area and it doesn't appear to be priced yet. I need to talk to the owner about another deal and I'd be happy to inquire if you like.

It's obviously missing the pulley cover and it also doesn't have a motor. I can't image it will be cheap enough to be worth your while but I guess you never know. I'll go back and take some measurements, check the chuck and lower the spindle and see if I can detect any excessive play.
...

But too small is better than too big, of course, so hopefully you'll be able to shim yours.

Thanks for the tip. I bet you're right though I doubt it will fit my price requirements of next to free.

Cheers,
Jeremy

 

[JeremyBurke]

I made a run at the drill press tonight and while I was at it got a picture inside the head column sleeve.



Doesn't seem to be a split nut. But because if the big split in the casting and the way the lock screw mounts I think this one is a pinch style and my column is just a hair under. I tried the can shim method but full wrap was to much and the can kept ripping. I'm gonna try again tomorrow night or this weekend once I get some real brass shim stock that bends better.



If there are any buffalo experts out there give me a shout. Might try the OWWM boards tomorrow.

 

[JeremyBurke]

I want to put better pictures in my threads. Here is my attempt to do that Sorry if this is confusing While I work out the details.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremyburke/12781855975/" title="IMG_4991 by jeremyjburke, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/12781855975_bb1b8dc081_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="IMG_4991"></a>

And this is inside the column of the drill press. As you can see there is no split collar just a split in the casting to allow it to pinch the column.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremyburke/12838493983/" title="image by jeremyjburke, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/12838493983_d19c630f7c_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="image"></a>

 

[JeremyBurke]

Got a "new" motor at a garage sale to replace the Dayton that came in the drill when I got it. I haven't had a chance to install it yet.
Not exactly right but at least similar vintage unlike the Dayton that come in it.