Buffalo #18 DP

[CrotalusAtrox]

Found this Buffalo #18 today it has a three phase 1.5 HP motor in great shape took it off when I transported it. It has the third pulley for real slow speeds. Need to find a chuck for a decent price, that could be a challenge but there out there. Its going to take a bit of time to restore due to my day job but it will be fun. I will try and document my progress but no promises I was never much of a word smith.

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[JackDiddly]

Awesome! I've got one just like it. Look forward to seeing the transformation.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Is it a #3 tapper on the chuck

 

[Davefr]

Complete with table lift and no arc of shame!!

Looks like a keeper. I'd VFD it.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Complete with table lift and no arc of shame!!

Looks like a keeper. I'd VFD it.

My thoughts also just don't have three phase power at the house. I could take it to the facility I manage and I may just do that. Just downloaded the manual and it is a #3 Morris taper for the chuck attachment a buddy of mine has a few so when I get it ready he will let me have one. I am interested to see what the run-out is, I am not really concerned what it is not a machiest just a guy who likes to restore old equipment just more curious then anything else.

 

[ndnchf]

A VFD is a great way to solve the 3 phase problem. When I restored my WT900 drill press five years ago, I used a VFD with a 3 ph, 220v motor. It runs great on 115v and has infinite speed adjustment. It's a 3/4 HP motor and has plenty of power for what I do.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

A VFD is a great way to solve the 3 phase problem. When I restored my WT900 drill press five years ago, I used a VFD with a 3 ph, 220v motor. It runs great on 115v and has infinite speed adjustment. It's a 3/4 HP motor and has plenty of power for what I do.

Can you shoot me the part numbers I new you could use a converter to change the motor from three phase to single phase it will loose some hp. I didn't know you could put a VFD on it as well.

 

[ndnchf]

If your motor is 1.5hp, than this VFD is too small. The FM50 is for motors up to 1hp. But here is the web site. You'll need to search for one that is compatible with your motor.
http://www.factorymation.com/ac_drives_qs/FM50_Series?gclid=CPzA8-OGyNECFYS4wAodvNUPxQ

 

[r_olson_06]

The good rule of thumb is to covert single phase to 3 phase on the same voltage the VFD needs to be 2X the HP of the motor.

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

 

[Maui]

How much did this drill press set you back? And how did you transport it? It must weigh in the neighborhood of 400 lbs I would guess.

Maui

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Well made some progress on it tonight got about 90% apart. Still need to take off the table lift and remove the base so I can clean up the column.

ndnchf Thanks for the info think I will go that route cheaper then buy a single phase motor.

Maui I think I kind of stole it the guy was asking $100 and thats what I gave him. As far as loading it I just removed the motor lifted the table as high as it would go so it cleared the edge of my tail gate and tilted it in, leverage and gravity are beautiful things. I have done a few other DP this way they weren't this heavy mind you but same principle. Just me and the seller loaded it. Manual says it weighs 335 Pounds that is without the table lift and a smaller table and I believe it. Everything about these DP is built to last love it.

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[CrotalusAtrox]

My supervisor is plumb whooped after keeping the bad dogs out of my garage while I worked on the drill press. Aussie's are one of the coolest dogs I have owned this is my second one and not sure I would ever want anything else.

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[ndnchf]

Keep us posted, we love photos!

 

[Davefr]

If your motor is 1.5hp, than this VFD is too small. The FM50 is for motors up to 1hp. But here is the web site. You'll need to search for one that is compatible with your motor.
http://www.factorymation.com/ac_drives_qs/FM50_Series?gclid=CPzA8-OGyNECFYS4wAodvNUPxQ

The 1HP Teco L510 seems to work just fine with a 1.5HP 3 phase 4.8 amp motor. I've never once tripped it from an overload. These VFD's have a lot of margin built into the specs.

The VFD experts over at the PM forum also indicated that you can generally get by with a sightly undersized VFD.

It also helps to put the VFD into sensorless vector mode and do an autotune. That fine tunes the VFD to the actual motor performance.

There's no way I'd ever own a DP without a VFD.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Got the spindle removed from the quill. Going to replace the bearings Buffalo has them but they are a bit pricey going to see if Accurate has them have a few pic's to share but on the work computer so I will update tomorrow.

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Bearings are removed

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Polished up the quill and spindle then removed table lift base and column. Under the blue tarp is the table, and motor base soaking in simple green. I used a shallow tub to hold the simple green, I already removed the pulley it came out great. I also soaked the quill and spindle prior to polishing.
Going to get a piece of 5 inch PVC and build a container for the column and soak if for about 4 hours don't want to go to long or it starts to leave a grayish color on the steal.

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[Cruiserguy]

What does the return spring look like in that old Buffalo ?
Hunting something that will work on my old Atlas Clausing 1810...no spring at all , just the housing left .

Sarge

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Spring is in great shape the machine is in great shape had some light surface rust and quil bearings were sticky from hardened grease changing the bearings. Probably could of
just cleaned up the original paint and it would look great but think I will repaint it.

 

[1982fxr]

That one pic with all your vises lined up...should be made into a poster.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Thanks Lee there are guys in the vise thread that trip over what I have getting to there collection. If I had the space and the means I would keep everyone I have bought think it would be close to 50 or so and four DP etc etc but have to sell a few so I can reload the wallet for the next tool hunt

 

[mattygee]

Nice work so far.. I've got one sitting in the corner of my garage.. It has the slow speed attachment but no table lift; and been patiently awaiting some TLC. Too many projects!

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Little bit of an update got the table lift screw polished and parts ready for paint. The table and base are about done soaking in simple green to remove all the paint looks like its been three different colors. Need to start on the head and column this week hopefully be shooting some paint over the weekend.

 

[tombell572]

Buffalos are great sturdy d/p's. Mine was my first "real" machine, probably about the same vintage as yours (has wood knobs on the handles) I got when setting up my shop in the mid '70's. My oldest son bought a house a while back and I passed it along to him-his first "real" machine in his own shop. He learned to use it when a boy.

Tom B.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Bearings for the spindle came in so I got them installed. Didn't take pics installing them, been going since 4am so kinda just did it when I got home.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Well I wasn't going to change the bearings on the spindle pulley they were pretty smooth but as I started looking closer it appeared a prevues owner tried to remove them and there was a few marks on the lower bearing shield so figure I am in it this deep lets get them removed. Some pounding with a three pound sledge and a old axe handle and whala removed. This will also make it much easier to paint so I am glad I did it. Got the base primed should get the table and head done this week depending on day job craziness. Bearing number is 88508

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[ndnchf]

Good call on the bearing. Doing all this work, then skimping on a bearing would not be in your best interest. Keep posting, I really enjoy this kind of thread.

 

[mattygee]

Always a nice feeling when you switch from prep to paint. Progress!

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Got some paint on a few parts this evening this sucker gives me a workout when moving it around. Going to build some kind of low profile cart for it this weekend I think .After this one I am going back to restoring Wilton baby Bullets there nice and light.

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[ndnchf]

Looking great. What paint is that? It looks a lot like the Rustoleum Sage Green I used on my WT900.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

ndnchf: That is same color, I use it a lot on older Wilton vises and grey just gets boring. I am thinking of using a dark grey or the pulley cover to give it some contrast. Should get the frame /head and pulley cover done by the end of the week, if this flu doesn't kill me.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Got the column polished yesterday borrowed the electrical contractors Rigid power head used for threading pipe that was at the facility they are building for us. I am guessing but that column is got to be close to 75 pounds. Now just need to get the head painted tomorrow and put the bearings in whenever they get here.

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[CrotalusAtrox]

Been a while since I posted, busy busy at work and had some issue with the spindle pulley. There was a small crack at the key way that I thought I could get welded, well that went a bit sideways but it did get fixed. Word of caution do not trying to weld a pulley DUH. Of course after the fact I find a solution on OWWM on how to repair the issue that would of saved my friend who did the welding a lot of stress and time, live and learn. I have it all back together just need a belt and to get the VFD installed, hopefully this weekend. I am looking for a good used pulley so if anyone finds one let me know.

 

[ndnchf]

Looking good! So how did you repair the pulley?

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Looking good! So how did you repair the pulley?

Its welded but had to do a lot of filing and rebuilding of areas that blew out. Better way is to grind off the the casting high spots and use a steel collar.

 

[ndnchf]

Ok - thanks.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Here is the link to the fix on OWWM

http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=162869&hilit=buffalo+18

 

[ndnchf]

Here is the link to the fix on OWWM

http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=162869&hilit=buffalo+18

Pretty slick idea.

 

[drivesitfar]

CA: have you met Chuck in Tuscon yet? he restores vises and drill presses and has been doing a great job like you do for maybe 5 or more years now since i noticed some of his amazing work.

here's an ad he has currently on CL so you can get his # and maybe between the two of you i bet you could fix any issue on a vise or DP.

https://tucson.craigslist.org/tls/5995513418.html

not that you can't fix anything by yourself, but i know if i lived within a drive of Chuck i'd love to watch him work if he'd let me.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

CA: have you met Chuck in Tuscon yet? he restores vises and drill presses and has been doing a great job like you do for maybe 5 or more years now since i noticed some of his amazing work.

here's an ad he has currently on CL so you can get his # and maybe between the two of you i bet you could fix any issue on a vise or DP.

https://tucson.craigslist.org/tls/5995513418.html

not that you can't fix anything by yourself, but i know if i lived within a drive of Chuck i'd love to watch him work if he'd let me.

I have seen his equipment on CL often he does great work. Its a two hour drive so kind of tuff to make time to get down there. I always want to learn something new and in the future I need to do more research on issues realizing that all of this has been done before . Ask ask ask and keep asking. I have met some of the best people doing these restores and it has brought me hope that there are still humans left on the planet

 

[drivesitfar]

CA: write down Chuck's # so you'll have it cause i bet there will be a reason (maybe an old tool to buy or sell) in Tuscon one day in the future and i'd like to be a fly on the wall when you two meet in person.

yep there are a few good HUMANS left on the planet and you sir are one of them.

cheers and best of luck finishing up your BUFFALO.