Buffalo Forge Drill Press - Need Advice!

[Gregg33]

I think it's about time to replace my made in PRC Mastercraft bench top drill press. I've come across a Buffalo Forge Drill Press for $125. I have some questions about it.

I don't see any tags (there are remmanants of a sticker, presumably with the serial #, coo etc), are all Buffalo Forge's made in the USA or are some imports? Also I don't remember seeing Buffalo Forge on the casting (like other models have), the only identifier is a a small circular tag, I believe it is the SA label, it says Buffalo Forge on it.

The motor is a Baldor, seems hard to believe but the tag on the motor appears to say it's 5hp. Is this possible or are my eyes bad? Visually it doesn't look large enough to be a 5 hp motor. It also says the motor was made for high voltage, I think it said on it (forgive me I'm hardly an electrician lol) 5 230 / 220 . It has a standard 120 3 prong plug on it, presumabaly it was converted, is this bad for the motor, will there be any issues?

Everything seems to work good, although the "plunger" return spring doesn't seem to work.While it doesn't retract is does stay in position if you put it back up. (maybe the spring still works a bit?) Is this a big issue to repair, is it like a clock spring? Is there even a reason to repair it?

Is a $125 a good price? I doubt the seller will go down much. The unit is in very good condition for the age. Paint is decent, there is surface rust on the post and base where ther metal was bare, while the table must have been oiled and is clean. In general it's not too worn out. The motor looks newer. I'm guessing it was made in the 1970's, with possibly a replacement motor. Worst case if I were to part it out, how much is the motor alone worth?

If I buy it, can it be disassembled easily to allow myself to unload it easier and for it to fit in my Cherokee. Am guessing the post can be disconnected from the base and top part?

Sorry for not having any pics, I've googled it and I haven't seen one that appears to be the same model. It is the style with switch right in the front of the housing though.

 

[zkling]

A picture would really help. Here is a list of the old Buffalo Forge drill presses. See if you find one that looks similar.

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

Buffalo Forge, is typically old OLD usa made quality.

In the 80's there was a company call just Buffalo IIRC, that made tools in taiwan.

I would double check on the 5hp motor. If it really is a 5hp motor, that is way overpowered Heck if the motor runs, a 5hp baldor motor alone is worth $125

If the motor is 220/230 it cannot run off of 120v without a transformer in between. Double check the motor plate real good. A 5hp single phase motor should be 220v and ~23amps. Is it currently hooked up and running right now? Someone, not knowing what they are doing, may have just put a standard 115v plug on there, and wondered WTF it won't work.

Usually the best two ways to transport a drill press are.

1.) Slide the table and head all the way down on the column towards the base. That way you have all of the weight in a low center of gravity position.

If it is too heavy in this position.

2.) Remove head and table. Use caution as when you loosen the clamping bolts for the head it will free fall down the column. I usually take the motor off first, then the head then the tale, and then transport the column and base as one unit.


Value....

Things like this are HIGHLY dependent on condition. If the spindle runs true (not bent) and the casting are all present and not cracked, including the pulleys. Most of the other items are standard. For $125 if it runs like it should, that would be a fantastic deal. Nothing new in that price range could even come close.

As for the return spring. Yes it could just need to be tightened / wound. Or the spring could have broken internally. They usually can be repaired, but some can be a real pain to source and repair/replace.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

Yes some are made outside of the USA in this backwoods country called Canada. Kitchener Ontario to be exact was the location of Canadian Buffalo. I have 3 Canadian built buffalo forge drill presses in my garage. Get some pics up and I will try to help out with any questions.

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[Jim Johnstone]

Another thing to add I have a Baldor motor on one of the drill presses and it says .5 hp and he decimal place is really hard to see. That motor is dual voltage 120/240.

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[zkling]

Yes some are made outside of the USA in this backwoods country called Canada. Kitchener Ontario to be exact was the location of Canadian Buffalo. I have 3 Canadian built buffalo forge drill presses in my garage. Get some pics up and I will try to help out with any questions.

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Oops, I always forget about / am confused by that. I wish they would have had a more defining difference between the two.

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=150&tab=4

 

[theknurl]

Gregg33;
double check the motor tag
its probably a 1/2HP 110V motor
1 HP Baldors are usually 110V OR 220V, some reversible

the 1 HP on my 16" Apex disc grinder is reversible, but came with just an on-off switch, a Square D reversing switch fixed that

buy it, a machined step pulley costs more

 

[Burgerkong]

Is it this one?

Buffalo 15 drill press for $150. He had it for $175 and I contacted him, but I spent my money on my compressor, oh well . Just hope he still has it when I get enough cash. However, the press is DEEP. Wouldn't recommend it for tight spaces (like a single car garage). Awesome stout unit! Looks pretty clean, original speckle finish is still there, plus no corrosion on the column (which is RARE). Seems like the vise is included as well.

You guys should be grateful I posted that, I was contemplating whether to keep it to myself or not LOL.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

Is it this one?

If that is the one he is looking at he should buy it. I have 2 of those and they are nice machines.

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[Burgerkong]

If that is the one he is looking at he should buy it. I have 2 of those and they are nice machines.

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I agree. I almost bought it, but I spent the money on a compressor.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204467

 

[Gregg33]

Thanks for the advice guys! Burgerkong, the one I'm looking at is actually in Hamilton. But now I have 2 to choose from lol. I did check the motor tag, I'm almost certain it didn't say 110 on the motor, but that it did have a regular cord on it, not the 220 type plug with the arc shaped prongs. I've linked this photo. It is from vintagemachinery.org. (disclaimer...I am not the owner nor did I take the picture, the owner is from ON, he might even be one of the posters here, if so thanks for letting me use it!) The one I'm looking at is almost identical to this one. They both don't have "Buffalo" on the casting and both share that red circular tag and the front switch. The one in the photo is a bench mounted model I believe, the one I'm looking at is a stand up, but the upper section appears identical. Any other advice/ comments is appreciated. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll have ownership of one (the one I looked at or the Kijiji one).

 

[Revere Cycles]

I have a Buffalo 15 and I love it. As long as it is in good working order, $125 is a great deal! (I paid $175 for mine.)

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I have a Buffalo 15 bench top press with a production table. I love it. The head casting is nice an solid and it drills though anything I ask it to. For a floor standing press I think $125 is reasonable. I paid $5 for my bench top. I'll try to post a pic of it later today.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

Another thing to add is that out of my 2 buffalo #15s only one has "buffalo" cast into the head the other one is bare but has a buffalo sticker on the front of the hood. They both have somehing to the effect of "buffalo blower and forge co. Kitchener Ontario" cast into the base.

 

[Gregg33]

Another thing to add is that out of my 2 buffalo #15s only one has "buffalo" cast into the head the other one is bare but has a buffalo sticker on the front of the hood. They both have somehing to the effect of "buffalo blower and forge co. Kitchener Ontario" cast into the base.

I didn't notice a casting on the base (probably never thought of looking). There is no sticker on the front of the cover, however there are adhesive marks where it used to be. Thanks again for your info guys!

 

[jfalcs]

I have a Buffalo 15 bench top and an 18 floor. I rebuilt both some time ago and they're great machines. Lots of good info over at OWWM.org on these machines.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

As promised:

 

[J HAV]

As promised:

You paid $5 for that? Man you ****...

 

[WhoWhatNow]

You paid $5 for that? Man you ****...

Thanks. It was at a local auction. It was advertised as woodworking tools and that's what most if the guys were looking for. The table saws and wood lathes brought more than I would haves paid. The woodworkers took one look at this and said no way. I had no intention of biding on it until it came up. The auctioneer started it at $50 and dropped it until he got to $5. At that point I couldn't let it go. I figured someone else would bid but no one did. It was a ***** to moves. Weighs almost 200lbs.

 

[Gregg33]

Is it this one?

I bought that one for $150 + $10 for the really beat up Made In Canada drill press vice shown in the picture. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=206414 for more info.

 

[Gregg33]

Finally got around to taking some pictures of the Buffalo No. 15 (had my camera in my shop to take pictures of some other stuff to put on Kijiji). I cleaned it up a bit, although there is still some work that could be done to the lower post, as there is some rust outlines still left. Not that bad however and not high on my priority list. Also the motor could use some cleaning. I'm looking for a better vise too. The vise I bought with it is very well made but it is severely beat up, plus it doesn't have a sliding base.

 

[bczygan]

Sweet!

I've got a Buffalo too. Love it!

 

[zkling]

Sweet, that is a really nice press, especially for $160 Clean? What is there to clean, looks pretty clean from here.

One bit of advice, loose the MT2 drill chuck and the JT33 to MT2 adapter, purchase a direct mount JT33 drill chuck for that machine. Those extensions were a great idea but terrible in practice. They put way too much load on the little JT33 stub. Delta used the same thing and I have one for my 15" production machine. That press just isn't designed for MT2 tooling.

 

[Gregg33]

Sweet, that is a really nice press, especially for $160 Clean? What is there to clean, looks pretty clean from here.

One bit of advice, loose the MT2 drill chuck and the JT33 to MT2 adapter, purchase a direct mount JT33 drill chuck for that machine. Those extensions were a great idea but terrible in practice. They put way too much load on the little JT33 stub. Delta used the same thing and I have one for my 15" production machine. That press just isn't designed for MT2 tooling.

Thanks for the positive comments guys! It is in really good shape, works well too. Surprisingly the seller had very little (purchaser) interest despite being in a highly populated area.

I was thinking of converting it to a regular chuck too. I'll have to figure out how to remove the existing set-up. Forgive my lack of knowledge, but what is the idea behind that particular set-up? Is there some type of milling machine type bits that would go where the adaptive jt33 currently is?

 

[Burgerkong]

Damn! Makes me wish I picked it up! I knew it was in great condition, possibly the best non-molested Buffalo I've seen locally so far!

 

[zkling]

That piece just threads off with a spanner wrench. See the hole in the top locking collar? You put a spanner wrench in there and unscrew it. By doing so it pushes the adapter off the JT33 taper.

The MT2 (more taper 2 female socket) taper is common on larger drill presses and machines that can take advantage of MT2 shank drill bits and other large tooling. Mine has/had a tapping head setup in it. That press just isn't beefy enough to use MT2 tooling. You are just adding a long extension that can bend the small JT33 stub underneath.

On that press it goes
JT33 male spindle
JT33 female to MT2 female spindle adapter
MT2 male to JT33? male depends on your chuck
JT33? female on the back side of the chuck.

If you put a taper drift in the oval looking hole on the adapter, the chuck and MT2 adapter will fall out.

One other thing.... A drill press is NOT a milling machine, please do not try to use it as such.

 

[Gregg33]

That piece just threads off with a spanner wrench. See the hole in the top locking collar? You put a spanner wrench in there and unscrew it. By doing so it pushes the adapter off the JT33 taper.

The MT2 (more taper 2 female socket) taper is common on larger drill presses and machines that can take advantage of MT2 shank drill bits and other large tooling. Mine has/had a tapping head setup in it. That press just isn't beefy enough to use MT2 tooling. You are just adding a long extension that can bend the small JT33 stub underneath.

On that press it goes
JT33 male spindle
JT33 female to MT2 female spindle adapter
MT2 male to JT33? male depends on your chuck
JT33? female on the back side of the chuck.



If you put a taper drift in the oval looking hole on the adapter, the chuck and MT2 adapter will fall out.

One other thing.... A drill press is NOT a milling machine, please do not try to use it as such.

I am aware how the chuck came out, but I appreciate the info on getting the MT2 spindle adapter off. Thanks!

 

[sasquatch12]

Buy it quick for $125.00! They're a good drill press.
I have a 15 inch "Canadian" Buffalo, great old press from i think the late 40's-early 50's. At my sons garage he has a bigger "Canadian" buffalo, (both Kitchener ontario) think it is a 17inch if i remember correctly.
The flat rewind spring for the handle return can be replaced by a rewind spring from a small engine.