Craftsman 150 Drill Press Purchase

[ChainsawCowboy]

Howdy folks, I was on the hunt for a drill press, ready to buy a new Jet 2550 or some such thing. And came up on a craftsman 150 on Facebook. Your forum seems to be the spot to talk about them, and I have a few questions.

1.) In the 'stock' configuration it seems you can only get the speed down to around 600 rpm, I'm looking to mostly drill metal so would like to get down closer to 150-200 rpm. Is there a relatively simple way to reduce the speed for my use case?

2.) This one appears to have a foot pedal, I'm not super into that. Do you know if these are intended to be operated without a foot pedal, or is it involved to change this? (I am not an electrician, but am willing to do simple things)

3.) What concerns if any beyond normal drill press things should a fella look out for when I go down to look at it this week?

Apologies in advance if I have broken any forum conventions, it's always spooky saying hello and begging for information on a new forum!

Cheers, Austin

 

[whateg01]

There are speed reducer pulleys that you can buy. Iirc, somebody here was making and selling them. You may be able to find an original one but it'll be $$$.

These old machines were often sold without a motor or with optional motors. The switch was usually part of the motor itself unlike today where the switch is part of the main housing or is mounted up front. A foot pedal can be pretty convenient when you need both hands to hold the work, but a normal switch can be mounted on the motor or elsewhere.

Eta: I didn't open the pics, and the thumbnail didn't show the vari-slow pulley. My bad.

 

[strength_and_power]

I was in the market for a drill press recently and they seem to pop up frequently so unless you have an immediate need for one, just be patient and have cash in hand. I’d probably hold off for one that is already set up for lower speeds.

 

[ChainsawCowboy]

I was in the market for a drill press recently and they seem to pop up frequently so unless you have an immediate need for one, just be patient and have cash in hand. I’d probably hold off for one that is already set up for lower speeds.

I sort of typo'd there, this one IS available and I'm going to go look at it this week.

 

[Cruzan80]

This one does have the middle speed pulley, which is both rare, desirable and expensive. So it is already set up to be slowed down to metal-working range.

The foot switch seems to just have a plug in the side, so while the motor may or may not have a switch, removing the foot pedal may be as easy as unplugging the cord.

I don't see any specific red-flags (all handles there, quill isn't dangling, has the depth stop, etc). Paging @FrankLee as he has seen a ton of these.

 

[ChainsawCowboy]

This one does have the middle speed pulley, which is both rare, desirable and expensive. So it is already set up to be slowed down to metal-working range.

The foot switch seems to just have a plug in the side, so while the motor may or may not have a switch, removing the foot pedal may be as easy as unplugging the cord.

I don't see any specific red-flags (all handles there, quill isn't dangling, has the depth stop, etc). Paging @FrankLee as he has seen a ton of these.

Oh! Well that is great news, sounds like I might be coming home with an old drill press Wednesday! Thank you for the info!
It definitely looks much nicer than a modern Taiwanese drill press

 

[Cruzan80]

You can tell by looking closely at the top of the column. The motor pulley also has the smallest step on top, which wouldn't allow you to change speeds if the middle pulley wasn't present (the front spindle pulley is smallest on top).

Here is the manual for the middle pulley, showing possible speeds. http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/7313.pdf

 

[ChainsawCowboy]

You can tell by looking closely at the top of the column. The motor pulley also has the smallest step on top, which wouldn't allow you to change speeds if the middle pulley wasn't present (the front spindle pulley is smallest on top).

Here is the manual for the middle pulley, showing possible speeds. http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/7313.pdf

That is an awesome resource, thank you so much! That top-down view is helpful, I asked the seller for that very photo which hopefully I will get tomorrow.

 

[y'sguy]

Looks like you got a nice one. You will be able to find a lot of info here all about these.

check here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/craftsman-drill-press.227480/

 

[tool_scrounge]

A few options for lower speed.

- find a 3 phase motor and add a VFD for variable speed

- find a single phase 1140rpm motor and replace the stock 1750? rpm motor

- add a Factory or equivalent third pulley attached to the center post

- Make one of these using purchased parts off the shelf from EBay, etc. Not hard with purchased ground shaft, pulleys, spacers and and pillow block bearings.

 

[FrankLee]

Welcome Austin!

That is an early 150, probably 1958 to early '60s. It has many of the upgraded parts not present in the earlier machines.

Howdy folks, I was on the hunt for a drill press, ready to buy a new Jet 2550 or some such thing. And came up on a craftsman 150 on Facebook.

Your forum seems to be the spot to talk about them, and I have a few questions.

You are correct. And this is your forum too.

1.) In the 'stock' configuration it seems you can only get the speed down to around 600 rpm, I'm looking to mostly drill metal so would like to get down closer to 150-200 rpm. Is there a relatively simple way to reduce the speed for my use case?

As Cruzan pointed out above, that 150 already has the speed reducing Multi-Speed Attachment.

2.) This one appears to have a foot pedal, I'm not super into that. Do you know if these are intended to be operated without a foot pedal, or is it involved to change this? (I am not an electrician, but am willing to do simple things)

Yes, that machine has a foot switch, but that style is rather awkward. I really like a foot switch with the toe guard. It looks to me to be hard-wired in, but it's an easy thing to undo.

3.) What concerns if any beyond normal drill press things should a fella look out for when I go down to look at it this week?

That one appears to be minimally neglected, but not abused. The milled surface on the table is in excellent condition.

As Cruzan also pointed out, there does not appear to be any missing parts.

Things to check out:

• cracks in the cast iron.
  This is uncommon, but look at the rear of the head casting around the column. There is "seam" where the two halves of the casting mold met. This is a vulnerable spot because it is a thin area which takes a lot of stress from the column lock.
  Another spot to check is where the motor mount rods enter the head casting. Also rare, but I've seen cracks there.
• spring
  Look down through the top of the head casting and check the end of the spring where it protrudes from the pinion shaft. The spring should not be deformed.
  For reference, check this ebay listing. This spring is deformed. https://www.ebay.com/itm/286247854243
  This is how it should look:
  
  
• spindle pulley
  Check this post for detecting wear on the pulley splines:
  https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...nformation-thread.484456/page-7#post-10743745
• runout
  Fully retract the jaws of the chuck. With the machine running, place the tip of your finger on the body of the chuck below the key holes. Feel for any wobble or vibration.
• bearings
  Remove the belt (easy to do; lift the motor and remove the belt from the spindle pulley).
  Turn the spindle pulley by hand and feel for any roughness or hesitation in the bearings. New bearings are easy to find and not terribly difficult to replace.
  Turn the motor pulley by hand. Feel for any roughness in the bearings. Listen for any unusual noises.

It looks like a decent machine. The price is high, but prices vary widely by region. Anything not right can be a negotiating point.

If you buy this machine, imo, it's safest to take it apart for transport.

• remove the motor and mount assembly
• remove the MSA assembly
• remove the head assembly
• remove the table
• remove the column

 

[ChainsawCowboy]

Incredible resource, thank you @FrankLee! I saved a screenshot of your checklist to bring with me. I agree the price is a bit high, but we will see if I can finesse that a bit

Thank you for all the help, seriously has saved me so much time and frustration!

 

[JZiggy]

If you're in the market for an aftermarket slow speed center pulley, I make them and have provided dozens to GJ members:

Vintage Drill Press Slow-Speed Pulleys

Price shipped USPS: $200 via PayPal 1/6/26 -- Almost 5 years supplying the upgraded kits with consistent positive feedback from customers. Slight price adjustment reflecting increased cost of materials. 10/9/21 -- I am kicking off my new and upgraded design! There are a couple ready to go and...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Nick Rivers]

Howdy folks, I was on the hunt for a drill press, ready to buy a new Jet 2550 or some such thing. And came up on a craftsman 150 on Facebook. Your forum seems to be the spot to talk about them, and I have a few questions.

1.) In the 'stock' configuration it seems you can only get the speed down to around 600 rpm, I'm looking to mostly drill metal so would like to get down closer to 150-200 rpm. Is there a relatively simple way to reduce the speed for my use case?

2.) This one appears to have a foot pedal, I'm not super into that. Do you know if these are intended to be operated without a foot pedal, or is it involved to change this? (I am not an electrician, but am willing to do simple things)

3.) What concerns if any beyond normal drill press things should a fella look out for when I go down to look at it this week?

Apologies in advance if I have broken any forum conventions, it's always spooky saying hello and begging for information on a new forum!

Cheers, Austin

Mine is a 1956 model 100 same color. Built by King Seeley, but I believe the 150 was made by Emerson. However, the model number on the one you posted is a 103 prefix which would also be King Seeley. I own several drill presses (I'm not addicted, just can't pass up good opportunities), but the Craftsman is the one that gets used the most for general hole punching.

You should be able to set those pulleys up to spin as slow as 175 RPM. Recommend keeping the foot switch, but I'd switch out the chuck for a keyless Albrecht clone.

FrankLee has all the answers and some spare parts for these machines. Be sure to check out Jeff's Shop on YouTube. He is a member here and has complete video rebuilds of the Craftsman 150, plus most of the vintage Craftsman drill presses.

Yours doesn't look like it needs anything, but it's always nice to see how they are constructed:

 

[ChainsawCowboy]

Got it home unscathed! Wiped it down and it works just fine. I do think it would benefit from new belts, the old ones are a bit rigid and oval-like. I also think it may be prudent to wire a grounded extension cord on as the new plug. Any advice on either regard?

Thank you again for all the help!

Edit: verbiage

 

[gatewaysysop]

Got it home unscathed! Wiped it down and it works just fine. I do think it would benefit from new belts, the old ones are a bit rigid and ovular. I also think it may be prudent to wire a grounded extension cord on as the new plug. Any advice on either regard?

Thank you again for all the help!

Just wanted to say, that's a very nice find. In good shape and with the factory speed reduction pulley, what's not to like? I'm sure it'll serve you well! Welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[FrankLee]

Got it home unscathed! Wiped it down and it works just fine.

Excellent!

I do think it would benefit from new belts, the old ones are a bit rigid and ovular.

Yes. New belts are usually required. I've been using Goodyear v-belts for the past couple years. I prefer cogged belts.

https://www.amazon.com/Goodyear-Belts-AX43-Industrial-Circumference/dp/B08SQD7BFW?tag=atomicindus08-20

I also think it may be prudent to wire a grounded extension cord on as the new plug. Any advice on either regard?

If the cord does not have a ground, is cracked or damaged, I always replace.

Thank you again for all the help!

Glad to help.

 

[ChainsawCowboy]

I tried to attach photos from my phone last night, to no avail.

Edit: Apparently me and attachments just aren't working together, will try again tonight.

 

[Banjorear]

I picked one up recently as well. I got it from the son of the original owner. I paid $120 for it. He thinks he has the vice for it and will call me when he finds it. I hope he does for it would neat to have the original CM vice.