Craftsman Drill Press

[Warped5]

Gents, I've just purchased a new to me craftsman drill press. Craigslist. Machine is in the fellas basement. Easier to disassemble and move, or just pick it up and go? Per the seller it's right at 200lbs.
Bill

Tear down ... much easier unless you have help.

 

[littleponderosa]

How close to Lake St Clair are you?

 

[FrankLee]

How close to Lake St Clair are you?

I grew up in the Woods probably less than a mile from the lake. Now I'm a half mile north of M-59, halfway between I-75 and I-94, so probably 15 miles.

Lake St Clair is not technically a Great Lake, but it is a great lake.

 

[littleponderosa]

Oh boy - I'll pm ya for a number & we can have lunch. I'm coming back for muskie on a flyrod. Wow, that is a helluva fishin spot you have. Tempted to try for divers out there, but I don't own a layout boat. Yet.
Do you know what hoops I would have to jump thru to put my boat (mt) in?
Thanks for the info
Bill

 

[FrankLee]

Oh boy - I'll pm ya for a number & we can have lunch. I'm coming back for muskie on a flyrod. Wow, that is a helluva fishin spot you have. Tempted to try for divers out there, but I don't own a layout boat. Yet.
Do you know what hoops I would have to jump thru to put my boat (mt) in?
Thanks for the info
Bill

I'm not much into fishing or boating, but it is a popular lake. Lake St Clair Metropark has a good public launch and overnight marina.

 

[littleponderosa]

Gotcha. I'll pm you prior and see if we can fit it in. Thanks for the input.
Bill

 

[ttpete]

Oh boy - I'll pm ya for a number & we can have lunch. I'm coming back for muskie on a flyrod. Wow, that is a helluva fishin spot you have. Tempted to try for divers out there, but I don't own a layout boat. Yet.
Do you know what hoops I would have to jump thru to put my boat (mt) in?
Thanks for the info
Bill

There's a county launch on the Clinton River at the end of South River Road. There's another at Metro Beach metropark on Black Creek.

 

[littleponderosa]

ttpete, thanks for that info. It's an unbelievable spot. Trying to finalize some plans, but an orthopedic appt might screw it up. Rotator cuff is really going downhill, quicker than expected. Wife says its age.
Overhead wrench work *****, pulling a moderate 70lb isn't good & lost the ability to absorb 3.5" shells.
Once again, thanks
Bill

 

[FrankLee]

I really like the Multi Speed Attachment on my Craftsman 100. I have it set on the slowest speed because I frequently drill metal. Occasionally, I use the drill press to bore wood or sand or polish bits and pieces. Those functions usually would require a higher rpm. However, changing speeds with the standard cast iron motor mount is a little cumbersome. Today, I finally resolved that issue by replacing the original motor mount with a newer style hinged motor mount. Now, changing chuck rpm is a piece of cake!

​

 

[Outlawmws]

Frank, I really like the chuck key retract-er and ESPECIALLY the handle added!

 

[softailgarage]

I like the chuck key myself, home made? Now, I don't recall Craftsman drill presses having crank up tables, am I wrong or home made also?

 

[FrankLee]

Frank, I really like the chuck key retract-er and ESPECIALLY the handle added!

Thanks. That handle mod work very well. The retracter is a little awkward but I always know where the chuck key is.

 

[BlueHeart]

Frank, are you finding these DPs mostly on CL? Is there a price barrier you won't go over?

 

[FrankLee]

I like the chuck key myself, home made? Now, I don't recall Craftsman drill presses having crank up tables, am I wrong or home made also?

Thanks. Yes, home made. Remove a screwdriver blade from the handle. Drill 1/64" less than the key handle. Warm plastic with heat gun. Pound key into handle with rubber mallet.

The Atlas-made table lift was an optional feature from Sears. Pre-war and post war for a few(?) years. They're fairly hard to find.

 

[Warped5]

Frank, are you finding these DPs mostly on CL? Is there a price barrier you won't go over?

There's a really clean one over in Goshen on Facebook Marketplace. Has the slo-speed pulley, too. Might be a bit pricy for some folks.

 

[FrankLee]

Frank, are you finding these DPs mostly on CL? Is there a price barrier you won't go over?

Some from estate sales and some from garage sales, but mostly craigslist.

My price threshold always depends on condition and the optional features.


Another just popped up on Detroit craigslist today. It's a 13-1/2" bench top with an MSA for $150. I could probably make money from it, but it's an hour away and the MSA on a 13-1/2" drill ress is likely missing the outer sleeve for the larger drill press. That limits the flip market for the MSA. https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/d/old-craftsman-benchtop-drill/6451046794.html

 

[BlueHeart]

Some from estate sales and some from garage sales, but mostly craigslist.

My price threshold always depends on condition and the optional features.


Another just popped up on Detroit craigslist today. It's a 13-1/2" bench top with an MSA for $150. I could probably make money from it, but it's an hour away and the MSA on a 13-1/2" drill ress is likely missing the outer sleeve for the larger drill press. That limits the flip market for the MSA. https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/d/old-craftsman-benchtop-drill/6451046794.html

Thanks. I'll continue to keep my eyes open for one of the manufacturers you mentioned and read up on the resources you posted earlier.
As you can imagine, there isn't a lot of choices being posted on a regular basis up here. Oh yeah, and an hour drive is nothing to get something you can't find locally. Of course you can cover 60 miles in an hour usually unless it's right here in Traverse City.

 

[sheltonfilms]

Someones drill press is going to be pretty. When I get done I may put it in the living room. Don't know if the wife will like that.

Using Valspar oil based enamel. Color is Koi Pond. Really has that 50s retro look. Stuff dries pretty quick too.

 

[ZBear]

The last thing is I sent the motor to a local electric shop. I wish I had went a different direction. Besides costing a boat load of money, and after all (most) of the grease was cleaned off, it is not a Craftsman motor. I can't hardly read the plate but I think it says Frigidare Motor, and the faded word Delco on the lower part. It has a home made bracket torched together to make it fit, that makes sense since my step father had a blacksmith shop. He probably had the motor and put it on. It probably was off a Frigidaire refrigerator or freezer. My brother said he had four Craftsman motors in the top of his shed. They were off vintage table saws and one was like new. Only thing they were too fast. None 1725 rpm. Beside looking for a variable speed pulley for the top of the quill, correct motor is on my list. I have a vintage Craftsman bench grinder and if I have to, buy another grinder and put this one on the drill.

My brother dug out a vintage Craftsman table saw motor for me so I can use my bench grinder motor on my DP. He said it is like new, 3450 rpm. It has shaft on each end. He said he had at least four of them stashed in his attic of his shed. He grabs vintage Craftsman table saws whenever he can, including the one from my step-fathers estate. It also originally was my fathers before he passed away.

I'm sure everyone has a similar story, but my younger sister was/is executor. Since the funeral she has went out of her way to screw us over. Went we were out in my step-fathers blacksmith shop and I got the drill press, my brother snagged the roll around tool cabinet. It was an old crappy Kennedy box, but it had FIRESTONE socket sets and bars that my father bought back in the 50's. They were what he really wanted because of the history. When he picked up the tool box, there were no tools in it, just the box. She told him he only bought the box, tools WEREN'T included. Same with my drill press. I only bought it. They had removed it from the stand, kept the chuck key and vintage drill bit base plus drill bits. She told him I didn't buy those things, just the DP. I figured everything that was attached went with it, but OH NO! I'm not going to get into all the stuff that came up missing, but there a lot of hard feelings.

Anyone acquainted with Firestone sockets set and tools?

 

[Smokeshow69]

My brother dug out a vintage Craftsman table saw motor for me so I can use my bench grinder motor on my DP. He said it is like new, 3450 rpm. It has shaft on each end. He said he had at least four of them stashed in his attic of his shed. He grabs vintage Craftsman table saws whenever he can, including the one from my step-fathers estate. It also originally was my fathers before he passed away.



I'm sure everyone has a similar story, but my younger sister was/is executor. Since the funeral she has went out of her way to screw us over. Went we were out in my step-fathers blacksmith shop and I got the drill press, my brother snagged the roll around tool cabinet. It was an old crappy Kennedy box, but it had FIRESTONE socket sets and bars that my father bought back in the 50's. They were what he really wanted because of the history. When he picked up the tool box, there were no tools in it, just the box. She told him he only bought the box, tools WEREN'T included. Same with my drill press. I only bought it. They had removed it from the stand, kept the chuck key and vintage drill bit base plus drill bits. She told him I didn't buy those things, just the DP. I figured everything that was attached went with it, but OH NO! I'm not going to get into all the stuff that came up missing, but there a lot of hard feelings.



Anyone acquainted with Firestone sockets set and tools?

Sorry to hear about the drill press and how that all went down! That was very uncool of her and hopefully she will come around and be more reasonable ! To answer your question... If you are talking about Firestone hand tools, most likely they were made by plomb. I don't want to derail this thread so stop on by the plomb thread in the vintage tool section and you can see examples of plomb made Firestone tools !


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[Outlawmws]

Wouldn't that have been Proto by then?

 

[Enigma]

My brother dug out a vintage Craftsman table saw motor for me so I can use my bench grinder motor on my DP. He said it is like new, 3450 rpm. It has shaft on each end. He said he had at least four of them stashed in his attic of his shed. He grabs vintage Craftsman table saws whenever he can, including the one from my step-fathers estate. It also originally was my fathers before he passed away.

I'm sure everyone has a similar story, but my younger sister was/is executor. Since the funeral she has went out of her way to screw us over. Went we were out in my step-fathers blacksmith shop and I got the drill press, my brother snagged the roll around tool cabinet. It was an old crappy Kennedy box, but it had FIRESTONE socket sets and bars that my father bought back in the 50's. They were what he really wanted because of the history. When he picked up the tool box, there were no tools in it, just the box. She told him he only bought the box, tools WEREN'T included. Same with my drill press. I only bought it. They had removed it from the stand, kept the chuck key and vintage drill bit base plus drill bits. She told him I didn't buy those things, just the DP. I figured everything that was attached went with it, but OH NO! I'm not going to get into all the stuff that came up missing, but there a lot of hard feelings.

Anyone acquainted with Firestone sockets set and tools?

your sister did that to you? and made you pay for precious sentimental things? I have no words. and I am truly sorry for your loss.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Wouldn't that have been Proto by then?

Yes it would be ! Since we can't see pictures of the said tools , I just made a generalized statement . While he remembers them from the 50's we don't know if they were new or maybe used by then ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[littleponderosa]

Fellas, I need to source a new motor for a 113.21371
1/2 hp, 56z frame, 1725 rpm. Standard craftsman motor. Also, is there a better source for bearings other than ebay?
I knew I would have to put some money into it, so far so good.
Bill

 

[sheltonfilms]

Fellas, I need to source a new motor for a 113.21371
1/2 hp, 56z frame, 1725 rpm. Standard craftsman motor. Also, is there a better source for bearings other than ebay?
I knew I would have to put some money into it, so far so good.
Bill

Accurate Bearing is what I think Frank says he uses.

I used the local Motion Industries. HUUUUUGE selection of bearings, most in stock.

 

[FrankLee]

Fellas, I need to source a new motor for a 113.21371
1/2 hp, 56z frame, 1725 rpm. Standard craftsman motor. Also, is there a better source for bearings other than ebay?
I knew I would have to put some money into it, so far so good.
Bill

I'm not sure what shipping would cost, but I do have this motor (far left in photo) from a similar era drill press:

Accurate Bearing is what I think Frank says he uses.

I used the local Motion Industries. HUUUUUGE selection of bearings, most in stock.

Yes, I use Accurate Bearing:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4666876#post4666876

 

[BlueHeart]

So I have been reading OWWM and VM when I can, while still searching CL and the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore for vintage tools. I did pick up a 70's era Craftsman router and table for $25.
I very much love the older non-plastic machines, but I still don't know what I can expect to pay for them. After reading this thread I started looking for the Craftsman 150 DP and saw a couple on Ebay listed for 6-1000 dollars(only found a couple).
There's a Dewalt radial arm saw listed locally for $150 in a cool green color, but I have limited space and would like a bench grinder and DP first anyways. I'm more inclined to search for metal working machines that I might use in a home built small project capacity too.
I realize my post is more OT than what might be preferred here, so feel free to message me instead. Thanks guys.
Oh yeah, what's a MSA?

 

[FrankLee]

what's a MSA?

An MSA is a Multi-Speed Attachment (1937-1952,1964-1969), a.k.a., Slow-Speed Attachment (1953-1963) or middle pulley.

 

[ZBear]

Working a little each day to strip the DP down. Thought I was going to use a sand blaster but it won't be available until summer. I need to get some smaller wire wheels for my Drimel. I can't get into small areas with what I have. I also need to get some finer sandpaper to finish cleaning up the column, then to polish it. It will have to get a bunch warmer in Iowa before I can start with the primer. It got to the 40's for a day earlier in the week before the temps dropped off the cliff again. I sprayed the inside of the headframe with engine cleaner now that it is disassembled and took it to the car wash. Finished getting the 60 years of caked on grease cleaned off.

 

[littleponderosa]

Frank, quick search shows motor available from Sears for $160 and change. Called the motor shop I've done business with and they said Sears is where they send folk for dp motors.
Bill

 

[BlueHeart]

An MSA is a Multi-Speed Attachment (1937-1952,1964-1969), a.k.a., Slow-Speed Attachment (1953-1963) or middle pulley.

Thank you sir. I feel like an idiot. I will reread this thread again.

 

[littleponderosa]

Woohoo - sun shown on this dogs *** this morning. Trip to Habitat paid off. Sitting on a shelf just unnoticed was the motor I need, brand new.
Priced at $25.00 and that's just wrong, so I offered $40.00 and they accepted. Ya know, ya gotta do the right thing and it's for a great organization.
Bill

 

[FrankLee]

Woohoo - sun shown on this dogs *** this morning. Trip to Habitat paid off. Sitting on a shelf just unnoticed was the motor I need, brand new.
Priced at $25.00 and that's just wrong, so I offered $40.00 and they accepted. Ya know, ya gotta do the right thing and it's for a great organization.
Bill

Nice score! And kudos on doing the right thing!

 

[BlueHeart]

Nice score! And kudos on doing the right thing!

Very nice score! The ReStore here, is the only place I can find good buys.

 

[ZBear]

Most days cleaning off more rust and grease. Since I only have a partial right foot that still needs to heal, can't stand too long. And since I don't have a lathe, I had to improvise getting the column cleaned up a bit. I got some 1500 grit 30" belts. This will take me a while to get all the blemishes out of the column. I should get some 1000 & 1200 grits.

Every time I take a bolt out of one of the Harleys, I replace it with an allen socket bolt. I keep about every size around here. I taped out the holes for the headband and serial plate and will use 8-40 chrome socket head screws to attach them.

I've never used self etching primer before. I ordered a couple cans from Amazon and they came today. I guess I will figure usage out. I am getting closer to the point where some stuff can use a coat of primer. I will have to warm the shed up to 70+ and cover the trike better before I start spraying. Wish it was warmer. I think I will go with the "hammered bronze" paint. Is that the one I want that is close to original?

I am surprised in how greasy and rusty it was and how easy everything came apart following the steps outlined in this forum. Especially the spindle screws. Just stuck a screw driver and they easily backed out. I was nervous after reading posts.

Thanks to all that took the time to post "how-to's" so I can take it one. Again thanks. Bear

 

[Outlawmws]

ZB,, many guys have set it up so the column is turning (using a hand drill at slow speeds, and the other end pillowed in rags...) and gotten the thing clean in no time, and more likely to keep it round.

 

[FrankLee]

Most days cleaning off more rust and grease. Since I only have a partial right foot that still needs to heal, can't stand too long. And since I don't have a lathe, I had to improvise getting the column cleaned up a bit. I got some 1500 grit 30" belts. This will take me a while to get all the blemishes out of the column. I should get some 1000 & 1200 grits.

Every time I take a bolt out of one of the Harleys, I replace it with an allen socket bolt. I keep about every size around here. I taped out the holes for the headband and serial plate and will use 8-40 chrome socket head screws to attach them.

I've never used self etching primer before. I ordered a couple cans from Amazon and they came today. I guess I will figure usage out. I am getting closer to the point where some stuff can use a coat of primer. I will have to warm the shed up to 70+ and cover the trike better before I start spraying. Wish it was warmer. I think I will go with the "hammered bronze" paint. Is that the one I want that is close to original?

I am surprised in how greasy and rusty it was and how easy everything came apart following the steps outlined in this forum. Especially the spindle screws. Just stuck a screw driver and they easily backed out. I was nervous after reading posts.

Thanks to all that took the time to post "how-to's" so I can take it one. Again thanks. Bear

Excellent progress! And very interesting column clean-up technique! I'm looking forward to seeing it go back together,

 

[Shiftless]

Nice score! And kudos on doing the right thing!

on that from me too!
Habitat is a fantastic organization. I wish there was a Restore closer to me. I send Habitat some $$$ each year.

 

[droptical]

Sorry, but I cant resist - Nice "Frankensander," Frank!

Andy

 

[ZBear]

I warmed the shed up to 69 this morning so I could give one of the big pieces a coat of Green Self-etching Primer. Looks a little gray in a couple of the pics. I doubt they will get any paint until I can paint all of the pieces. I just wanted it to stay mostly clean and rust free and to see if there were any differences in applying self -etching as opposed to regular primer. Didn't get much else done. Back to re-reading all of the posts again. Thx, Bear