Buffalo Forge A692 Vintage Drill Press

[Vette10R]

Hi guys I'm trying to find any info at all on this unit. I found a guy who says this is what he has and the price seems very good. He hasn't got back to me with pictures or any other info yet and I would like to do some research before purchasing.

I have searched this forum, I have searched google and I have searched vintagemachinery.org with no luck... I'm starting to wonder if he gave me a bad model number?

Anyways this place seems like the best for answers if there are any for this unit. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

 

[Vette10R]

could a Mod please move this to the Vintage Tool Discussion section please...

 

[Vette10R]

Wow no info on this? I'm actually surprised lol

 

[ndnchf]

After you get a photo, start looking at all the examples on VM. Many on VM don't have the model # in the title, so you may need to match it by appearance. You've probably seen it, but here is the Buffalo Forge drill press listing:

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=129&tab=4

 

[Vette10R]

I'll get pictures up as soon as I receive them. He did reply saying it is electric and it works so that is a huge plus! I think I am going to buy it eitherway. It looks like they are pretty rare and valuable? From the research I did last night and without actually seeing it I am assuming it's a 1920s 10" junior drill press which actually look like a pretty sweet machine I wouldn't mind having on my workbench!

 

[Vette10R]

Good point Frank, I'll dig around to see if that pulls up a motor...

 

[ndnchf]

Probably the most important thing to check is the chuck and spindle run out. If you can, bring a dial indicator to check it. The chuck could very well be worn causing run out, or the spindle bearings could be too. Buffalo Forge was a quality maker in its day, but if its 90 years old, it will likely need a rebuild to do accurate work. Nothing wrong with that, but consider that when inspecting it.

One other thought. If it is a real early model, it could have Babbitt bearings which could be problematic if badly worn.

 

[Vette10R]

Photos...

 

[ndnchf]

Neat little DP! That A692 tag looks more like a company inventory tag than a manufacturer's tag. If the spindle is in good shape and the prices was right, i'd buy it. The motor looks later, like something off a washing machine. But it's not too hard to find an older motor.

 

[Vette10R]

Yeah I thought it was kinda cool looking too. I'm going to go pick it up after work, I just got off the phone with the guy and he sounds like he is close to 80 years old if not older and he said it was his Fathers. He said that he personally had never used it so his old man was the last guy to use it but he did plug it in and said it works...

 

[Ghost11]

Nice, cool little press. Good luck

 

[justanengineer]

Nice find. Google "sensitive drill press" for other/better pics of similar drills. More than likely it was originally life shaft driven off a cone pulley mounted low on the back similar to below.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...95663-myers-drill-press-myers-bench-drill.jpg

 

[paulsomlo]

It looks like they are pretty rare and valuable?!

Rare and valuable are two different things. There was an old Buffalo Forge drill press here on CL, seller wanted $450, claimed he spoke to the present owner of the company, told the seller how rare it was. A year later, it was still for sale.

There is essentially no market in old drill presses - if you buy it, buy it because you want to use it and you're up for a project. Someone else mentioned babbit bearings, which is probably the case. Make sure the spindle doesn't exhibit excessive play as it passes through the casting. If it does, and the bearings are babbit, you've really got a project.

Not my intention to dampen your enthusiasm (I love old machinery too), but don't pay too much for it.

 

[PeterT]

Is that made in Pigeon Forge?

 

[Vette10R]

I went and picked it up after work today, it seems to work great everything seems tight no wobbles anywhere. The motor is definitely not original and I don't see a label on it but I might try and find the original and make it correct just for fun! The other thing I noticed that I am assuming is normal is the ball bearings look to be missing a few? But something tells me that's the way they came unless i'm mistaken. Another cool thing about it is the pulley is made of wood! I dont see a date anywhere on it but I believe these were made around the 1920s-1930s?

Id like to clean the rust and strip the paint of then re-paint her. If anyone has some pointers let me know! Ill load some pictures for ya...

 

[crguy]

That wood pulley is not original. It does appear to be a Junior model that was originally lineshaft driven.

 

[paulsomlo]

Electrolysis for derusting the large parts, Evaporust for small parts and hardware, Citrustrip for paint removal.

 

[Vette10R]

That wood pulley is not original. It does appear to be a Junior model that was originally lineshaft driven.

Do you have anymore info on this unit? Or know where I can find it? I would like to find the original parts and make it right if possible. Thanks

 

[ndnchf]

I agree that the wood pulley is not original to the DP. It originally ran off flat belts. Someone added the wood pulley when it was converted to run on the electric motor. But if the pulley fits well, run with it. Still a very cool find.

 

[Vette10R]

I agree that the wood pulley is not original to the DP. It originally ran off flat belts. Someone added the wood pulley when it was converted to run on the electric motor. But if the pulley fits well, run with it. Still a very cool find.

Yeah I haven't tried drilling anything with it yet but it seems to operate well. I started cleaning it up last night, the rust is coming off nice so I'll be looking for paint soon. It appears the original color was a teal possibly (I can throw up a pic) so I need to decide if I want to go teal with it or just a black or grey.

I'm having doubts that I can find original parts for this thing but I will be keeping my eyes open. I'd rather have it all original even though the wood pulley is cool!