Drill Press Dilemma

[Joe Huld]

I never owned a drill press until my early 20's when a friend gave me the Sears Companion press his grandfather bought in the 1930's. In a short time I found out what a useful and really indispensable tool a drill press is. I used the Companion for the next 15 years until I bought a similar vintage really clean Delta DP220. What a world of difference! The DP220 served me well; but an even better Buffalo 15 showed up. I had to buy it especially since I sold the DP 220 for $150; 3 times what the Buffalo cost. I later got a 1920's-30's flat belt Canedy-Otto that was so cute I couldn't pass it up but the Buffalo continued to be my "go to" drill press. My son moved out, and of course a drill press is an essential so I figured the Canedy-Otto would go to his garage. Before I could move the C-O another Delta DP220 showed up, 3 phase but in great shape so I had to buy it, especially since a buddy offered me an original Delta single phase 110V motor at a good price. At that point I thought I was done buying drill presses until a low mileage Walker Turner DP 43 with the slow speed attachment and a reversible motor came along and stole my heart.
I have realized that I am a drill press addict who really can't justify 4 drill presses in two garages so two of them have to go. The real question is what to sell and what to keep. I think the W-T because of it's features has to stay in my shop. The C-O, cute as it, is the smallest and least capable so I should sell it. I am inclined to sell the Delta with the buyers choice of motors, which will probably be the single phase. The Buffalo will go to Andrews garage and if I wind up with the 3 phase motor I can later use it and a VFD for slow speed work.

 

[wmesquite]

I have no idea what a WT DP 43 is, I assume it is a normal 15" press? A radial Ram or a 20" WT press would be different, otherwise I'd keep the Buffalo 15 and put the 3 phase motor and a VFD on it. Carla says Buffalos are uniformly better made than WTs (they cost more back in the day too), and a VFD should match every capability of the slow speed attachment- and reversible too. I know 3/4 hp with VFD is enough to drive the spindle pulley as hard as it can be driven, belt will slip before motor will stop. No funky proprietary bearings on the Buffalo either.

If the condition of the WT is a couple steps up from the Buffalo, and it either doesn't have the special bearings, or they are recently replaced or regreased, then it would be fine. Replacing the Buffalo 15 spindle pulley bearing can be troublesome though.

DP220s do look cool though. Maybe you should keep 1 around ?
Wade

 

[Cleave]

Keep just your favorite, sell the rest, and get a Bridgeport milling machine...

I have a Delta Homecraft 11" drill press and it is indispensable. I love the quill lock every time I use it. So make sure whatever you keep has the quill lock.

Measure on each DP the squareness of the spindle to table and the run out in the spindle. See which is the most accurate.

Good luck, not the worst problem to have.

 

[Whitworth]

Really need some pictures to help you with your dilemma.

 

[bczygan]

You only have 4???

Bill

Delta
Big Delta
WT slo speed
Buffalo
Ohio Forge

Bridgeport mill

 

[Garage.Girl]

I have 5 right now and am actively looking for more... and I have a shed... :0 don't feel too bad haha

 

[ddawg16]

I wonder if there is a Dr Phil for tools?