Craftsman 150 color ???

[smalltown]

Just a simple question from a novice. I have really been smitten by all the Craftsman 150 Drill Presses that I see posted here. That drill press is a work of art. It's beefy yet streamlined if only one could find that variable speed model which I assume is rather rare. One thing that makes me scratch my head is why are there so many different colors? Were they available in different colors ?

Second question" If one was to purchase the bench model would the floor model stand be hard to find ?

 

[jakemac]

Craftsman's colors were somewhat inconsistent. Only one color was available at a time. The variations were over multiple years. Every two years or so it seems like the color would change slightly. I don't think that Cman cared that much about keeping to a signature color formula.

I'm assuming that you're talking about the 1950's gray and not the later Power Bronze color.

Ultimately, it's your DP. Go ahead and paint it any color that makes you happy. In addition to the original (as close as can be achieved) colors, some have painted their DP's red, blue, green, or black. If hot pink makes you happy, then go for it. (Don't forget to show us the pictures)

 

[softailgarage]

What Jake said is true. Craftsman, from what I've found, had basically 3 colors from 1940 - 1970. The 40's was a deep blue, then from the 50's - late 50-s was a dark gray. The Power Bronze seems to have popped up around 1958/1959 - 1965, maybe even later. 1970 Sears/Craftsman started moving toward the black/red combo. You can find the original pedestals, but they are rare, dont expect to spend less than $125.00 if you do find one.

 

[CKS1955]

What was said above. Basically three colors over this time period. But there are even slight variations of the same color depending on who the manufacturer was for the specific tool.

Jay

 

[jd_1138]

Also gray and red has been used?

 

[jakemac]

Red was an accent color in the 70's(?) or 80’s(?) ?? Not sure.
The main colors were :
30's to late 40's = blue
Late 40's to late 50's = gray
Late 50's to early 60's = Power Bronze
60's to 20teens = I stopped caring

Within those timelines, there were several shades of each color (Power Bronze was more consistent). The variation had less to do with the manufacturer, but more to do with a lack of caring about the formula when the paint was mixed. Craftman never mandated a proprietary formula for their paint choices, just a general color scheme.

 

[smalltown]

Rather than start a new thread could I ask what about CM DP's that people for what ever reason drilled holes in the head? I am guessing that the heads are cast iron can they be filled?

 

[pendragon1998]

Probably drilled for switch mounts or lamps. You could fill with a little bondo before painting, probably.

 

[FrankLee]

Second question" If one was to purchase the bench model would the floor model stand be hard to find ?

It would be unlikely that you'd find just a floor standing base and column, but they will occasionally show up on ebay. It would be easier to find a donor machine, swap parts, and flip the second machine as a bench model.

Several manufacturers used a 2-3/4" OD column, so you may be able to find one to fit that's not Craftsman.

However, all Craftsman drill press columns, bench and floor standing, of the 100/150 era (and later) are unique in that they have a machined inside diameter, ~2" deep, at the top of the column to accommodate the Multi-Speed Attachment.



Craftsman floor standing columns also came in two different heights. In the 1956(?) model year, the column was shortened from ~67" to ~62".

 

[Idoit4fun]

Just a simple question from a novice. I have really been smitten by all the Craftsman 150 Drill Presses that I see posted here. That drill press is a work of art. It's beefy yet streamlined if only one could find that variable speed model which I assume is rather rare. One thing that makes me scratch my head is why are there so many different colors? Were they available in different colors ?

Second question" If one was to purchase the bench model would the floor model stand be hard to find ?

Can I join the 150 club?

First, thank you all for all your comments and expert knowledge. I have just bought a Craftsman 150 to restore. Found it on CL and I live in Kentucky. The modified table must have been made several years ago but no harm was done to the original table beneath it. A couple years away from retirement and cant wait to restore this. I have also bought a 1920’s Pratt and Whitney metal lathe to restore, also.

 

[Roberts210]

I Do It, please post a few pictures of your 150.

 

[Idoit4fun]

Can I join the 150 club?

First, thank you all for all your comments and expert knowledge. I have just bought a Craftsman 150 to restore. Found it on CL and I live in Kentucky. The modified table must have been made several years ago but no harm was done to the original table beneath it. A couple years away from retirement and cant wait to restore this. I have also bought a 1920’s Pratt and Whitney metal lathe to restore, also.

I Do It, please post a few pictures of your 150.

I have been trying to but having problems.

 

[Idoit4fun]

 

[Idoit4fun]

 

[Idoit4fun]

 

[FJ 432]

Idoit4fun welcome to a huge rabbit hole:

11b30b4's Vintage Classic Craftsman Drill Press Information Thread

I went back and forth over what I would do with this post. Should I make it an additional post to FrankLee’s Craftsman Drill Press thread, or should I start a new thread? I know there are enough of us experienced guys to carry on Frank’s thread but none of us have access to the thread to index...

www.garagejournal.com

Also check out Frank Lee's thread (mentioned mid way into the first post) that has lived forever.

 

[M. Blue 240]

Second question" If one was to purchase the bench model would the floor model stand be hard to find ?

I'd be weary of trying to do this. I currently have 7 drill presses and found there are variations in size. I have one bench top and a floor standing that I planned on using the best parts to make a good floor standing. I soon found the pole on the floor standing has a smaller diameter than the bench top. To make things confusing the bench top has the same size pole as the floor standing I'm keeping for myself. All three units were made within a year or two of each other. I have another floor standing that not only is the pole smaller, but so is every other piece on the tool, by about 20-30%.

 

[Idoit4fun]

I have been trying to but having problems.

I know this may sound stupid but what color is my drill press? Doesnt appear to be power gold, does it?

 

[Idoit4fun]

I know this may sound stupid but what color is my drill press? Doesnt appear to be power gold, does it?

Correction, power bronze. After reading thru this site i have learned so much in a few days. Its called a charcoal grey.