Craftsman Drill Press with VARI-SLO Speed control

[bagged89s10]

I just picked up this Craftsman drill press with vari-slo speed control.

There are no model badges on this one but I think it's the 100. It has the 10x10 tilt table.

It came with a craftsman stand.

And this plate that bolts to the table with an overkill light mount.

Here it is running.

So I guess it works on the belts slipping and tightening to change speeds. I think this setup of the belt slipping a little is great for drilling steel and not worrying about breaking bits if they get caught in a burr. I do need to clean it up and put new belts on. I don't know why but the previous owner took the label off the motor too. It's a craftsman motor. Anyone know what size motor was probably sold by craftsman for this drill press? How can I find out the power?

I also need to find some craftsman badges for this machine. If anyone is selling some, please PM me.

 

[CKS1955]

Normally I believe it was 1/3 HP or 1/2 HP at 1750 RPM's.

Jay

 

[nine4gmc]

Back in the day, motors were not supplied with the power tools, they were sold separately. As CKS mentioned, most likely a 1/2 or 1/3 hp 1725 rpm motor. Quick way to tell that is a Model 100, it has the three spoke hand wheel along with the Heritage badge and tilt option table along with a 2-3/4" pole. The model 80's had two spoke hand wheels and a small diameter pole. The later model 150's had a three spoke wheel and large pole but no tilt table, also I believe they were in the Crown Top logo era.

 

[torqueman2002]

Bagged, nice score!

You can find Manufacture's Information on the Vari-Slo at
http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=222&tab=3

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=3034


A word of Caution - Only change the speed, when the drill is running.

Also, member FrankLee will have a lot of real good information on your DP.

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged, nice score!

You can find Manufacture's Information on the Vari-Slo at
http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=222&tab=3

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=3034


A word of Caution - Only change the speed, when the drill is running.

Also, member FrankLee will have a lot of real good information on your DP.

Thanks torqueman!

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged, nice score!

You can find Manufacture's Information on the Vari-Slo at
http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=222&tab=3

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=3034


A word of Caution - Only change the speed, when the drill is running.

Also, member FrankLee will have a lot of real good information on your DP.

Do you know the best way to set the belt tension on the motor side on these? Should I have the speed set in the middle then move the motor back to set the tension?

Also what's the best source online for belts?

 

[CKS1955]

I believe you set the control at 300, the furthest left setting.

Jay

 

[zeet]

Great score!
Here's a link to FrankLee's thread. LOTS of relevant info there (He's our resident C-Man Drill Press Guru)

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227480

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 that Frank Lee . . . . is THE . . . man on C-Man drill presses !!

Great score OP . . . . . those Vari-Slo DP's are tough to find.
That's a lifetime keeper and well worth restoring to top condition.

 

[nine4gmc]

There was a Vari-Slo in the classifieds here today, should still be available. I would love to have it but I just spent my spare change last night on other ****....


Sent from my iThingy using Tapatalk

 

[dngrmse]

Bagged, great score! http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146523

See this guy for the missing badge- he made his own.

 

[bagged89s10]

Thanks for all the info. Frank Lee sure is the man when it comes to craftsman drill presses. Those threads are a wealth of information.

 

[bagged89s10]

Here is my craftsman drill press in its new location in the corner of my garage. I think it should work well there. Just need to get the right size belts and rewire the motor. The front and middle belts are too long. Then I will do a full restore at some point.

 

[torqueman2002]

Here is my craftsman drill press in its new location in the corner of my garage. I think it should work well there. Just need to get the right size belts and rewire the motor. The front and middle belts are too long. Then I will do a full restore at some point.

It's looking right at home!

 

[bagged89s10]

It's looking right at home!

Thanks. I need to reinforce the stand because there is nothing holding it solid towards the bottom. Usually the modular motor mounts on this style stand gives them more rigidity. I wand to add a shelf and a small drawer cabinet for drill bits to fit if keep the drill press on this stand. My other thought is to use my craftsman heritage tool chest and make it into a stand. I would have to reinforce it as well but it would be perfect go fit all my bits.