Clausing 1815 drill press

[maxhall1023]

Hey guys been looking for a quality drill press for awhile now. I found a clausing 1815 on CL for $500. It appears to be in good condition. The current owner bought it and said it worked (this includes the power feed as well). In the ad he states its a 3 phase machine, which he doesn't have access to in the shop. So this means no way to verify that it works. I wouldn't mind a 3 phase machine because I could always add a vfd to it to vary the speed more easily than repositioning the belts. I do prefer older tools and this thing is built like a brick **** house. Although I think the power feed is a little overkill for my current projects, it does give me room to grow.

My number one question is, is this too risky to purchase if I can't verify it running.

 

[maxhall1023]

here is a picture of the drill press

 

[exmaxima1]

here is a picture of the drill press

That's a very old press, and without running it you can't check tell the condition of the bearings. But you could use that in your favor to negotiate a better price---I think $300 is more than fair for that drill press in unknown operating condition.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Yes, You really want to run it before you buy it, 500.00 seems high in this neck of the woods also. Try to talk him down. Does it have the ark of shame on the deck?

 

[Outlawmws]

Why the concern about running it? Running it won't check the bearings or any other critical part, just verity the motor turns... Sure, try to push on the price if you can but that is more than worth $500 in parts alone.

Of far more concern is wear on the quill/ housing, runnout, that the quill return spring is doing it's job, that the table isn't drilled to death, is there any obvious damage to the power feed, etc, You can check the bearings by hand and the runnout also. Take the belt off and rotate all the rotating parts. Close inspection.

Bottom line is flipping a switch may give you a warmfuzy, but is probably the least concern on a drill press. (Motors are cheap and if dead, an opportunity to replace with single phase or even a tread mill motor.)

Go look at it. Inspect and verify what really matters, and use anything, including the inability to power up the motor, as bargaining chips.

 

[Outlawmws]

BTW, I see that class of industrial grade DP go for $1000 or more - it will have a 6" stoke. Compare that to the 2.5 or 3" stroke on most DP's posted here... It probably weighs near 3X the average floor stander from Craftsman that are so popular. Its the beef.

EDIT: I looked closer at the pic it also appears to have a table raiser as well. but it might be a head lift.

 

[maxhall1023]

http://nh.craigslist.org/tls/5378242275.html

I've attached the CL link. There are a few holes in the table but not too bad IMO. I was planning on checking for runout on the spindle. The guy says the shift shaft seal on the motor leaks, and thats the only problem. I believe the price to be pretty fair assuming that the motor works but, I would definitely try to negotiate since I can't verify its operating condition. It also does appear to have a table lift mechanism.

 

[454ragtop]

Pretty serious drill press, HD motor has a built in 4 speed gear box. With that, the table raiser, power down feed, large tee slotted table, quick set depth stop, etc. it will probably be a lifetime drill press. Pretty unlikely that the motor doesn't work, 3 phase motors are fairly bullet proof. Despite the holes in the table, probably worth the $500 he's asking, that said I'd offer $350 or $400, can always come up, worst he can say is no. A VFD for phase conversion should be pretty cheap, and a good way to go IMO.
Good luck, Jim

 

[zkling]

Even if the guy could prove it runs, being 3 phase that is still to high. Limited market.

Why the concern about running it? Running it won't check the bearings or any other critical part, just verity the motor turns... Sure, try to push on the price if you can but that is more than worth $500 in parts alone.

Can't check power feed, problems can show up at a few hundred RPM that don't show up turning by hand. Spline chatter and the like.

 

[Outlawmws]

Limited market? Somewhat. As for the "limited market" for that class of DP, for DP's of that class the market interested in them don't care if it's 3 Ph. They either have the VFD, or are willing to buy one. The market far exceeds the available machines with maybe the deep rust belt around Detroit as an exception.


New England has more of this type of DP than some areas, but it also has a huge population in a small area, and far high demand for these than possibly in the rust belt where here are more machines and fewer people.

If that were near me, baring any obvious issues, it would be in my shop. I have an equivalent (less the power feed) project Canedy Otto and by the time I get it done, I'll have more that 5 bills into it and be perfectly happy. That one is more machine, and is a Clausing, which I like.

BTW Clausing is still in business and probably has parts for that thing if needed...

Again, that is no where NEAR a craftsman 100/150 DP, or equivalent Delta/Rockwell/Walker/ what have you. Again, around here, that is at least a $1000 DP and would sell fast at that price...

 

[Jonesdamon125]

I know this is a old thread, but did you buy it??

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

Why the concern about running it? Running it won't check the bearings or any other critical part, just verity the motor turns... Sure, try to push on the price if you can but that is more than worth $500 in parts alone.

Of far more concern is wear on the quill/ housing, runnout, that the quill return spring is doing it's job, that the table isn't drilled to death, is there any obvious damage to the power feed, etc, You can check the bearings by hand and the runnout also. Take the belt off and rotate all the rotating parts. Close inspection.

Bottom line is flipping a switch may give you a warmfuzy, but is probably the least concern on a drill press. (Motors are cheap and if dead, an opportunity to replace with single phase or even a tread mill motor.)

Go look at it. Inspect and verify what really matters, and use anything, including the inability to power up the motor, as bargaining chips.[/^^^^^ said it all, my thoughts exactly. BCD. QUOTE]

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

Make sure it’s not 3ph 440v or you will need a transformer too.

 

[tscheuzger]

I have the same 1815 press with the power feed. I later got a second 1810 (without the feed) for spare parts - that one had a commander multi bit head on it. They're certainly heavy enough - easily over 500lbs.

I'm curious (if you bought it) whether or not you have the quick adjust depth stop rod with the square notched rod and sprung clutch? On my 1815 it had a regular round rod but the 1810 had the quick adjust. I thought it might have something to do with the power feed mechanism. Both machines are still in my queue waiting for restoration.

Parts for these are pretty scarce/expensive, thought there are enough similarities with the Powermatic 1200 series that you can adapt if needed. The column locking wedges are what I consider the weak points on this press - pot metal wedges that deform easily and get stuck. I've replaced nearly all of mine with steel ones from Powermatic.

Pics of mine attached.



Tom

 

[Jbum]

I have the same 1815 press with the power feed. I later got a second 1810 (without the feed) for spare parts - that one had a commander multi bit head on it. They're certainly heavy enough - easily over 500lbs.

I'm curious (if you bought it) whether or not you have the quick adjust depth stop rod with the square notched rod and sprung clutch? On my 1815 it had a regular round rod but the 1810 had the quick adjust. I thought it might have something to do with the power feed mechanism. Both machines are still in my queue waiting for restoration.

Parts for these are pretty scarce/expensive, thought there are enough similarities with the Powermatic 1200 series that you can adapt if needed. The column locking wedges are what I consider the weak points on this press - pot metal wedges that deform easily and get stuck. I've replaced nearly all of mine with steel ones from Powermatic.

Pics of mine attached.



Tom

Do you happen to have a manual for your DP ? I have the opportunity to buy one but would like to see a manual of it before driving two hours to look at the press.

 

[tscheuzger]

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=7186

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=24195

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=17008

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=17009