Grandpa's(?) Drill Press: Need ID Help

[mikeinri]

Doing a basement cleanout, at my Dad's house (where my grandparents used to live). Found this ancient-looking drill press, probably was my Grandfather's (he passed away last month).

No name on the front. I did just notice a tag on the left side of the base, says _____ MACH CO.

Any ideas on what this is (and is it worth keeping and restoring)?

Thanks.

Mike

 

[Roberts210]

It's DEFINITELY worth keeping and restoring but I have no idea who made it.

 

[Made in USA]

I believe that is a sensitive (precision) drill press, similar to these; not sure of the maker:

https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/antique-machinery-and-history/high-speed-hammer-co-drill-press-212976/

https://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/forum/general/34029-a-nice-precision-benchtop-drill-press?t=33223

https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/new-quality-tiny-drill-presses-whats-out-there-184926/index2.html

 

[Rileysan]

I've never seen anything like it, but it's really cool. Definitely worth the time and effort to restore!

 

[mikeinri]

Thanks guys!

The name on that little plate seems to say H LEACH MACH CO, which comes up on Google as a long-gone Providence, RI - based manufacturing company.

Knowing my grandfather, he grabbed this when it was being discarded at work (...apple hasn't fallen far from that tree...).

Not finding a lot of direct history (documents), but the Leach company was apparently known for working with the jewelry industry, which once thrived in RI.

There are contradicting pages online saying that the Leach company manufactured machines, or bought, renamed and distributed them.

There's actually a workplace injury lawsuit online from the 70s, naming both Leach and Universal Optical, an eyeglass frame manufacturer where my grandfather worked for several decades!

Here's a pic I found online, looks strikingly similar to my grandfather's! This is a Langelier #60. Link to the article related to that pic:

https://www.practicalmachinist.com/...ll-press-cast-iron-pulley-repair-help-223810/


Also found this, seems the descendants of Leach are proud of the legacy, even if heading off on a completely different tangent...

https://www.leachfamilycompanies.com/our-history-and-vision

Mike

 

[bmwrd0]

Wow, I would love to find something like that.

I don't know if I would ever use it, but it looks real cool.

 

[mikeinri]

Finding more potential leads. There's a thought that H Leach put their name on a drill press made by Langelier Manufacturing (also located in Providence). The Langelier #41 looks an awful lot like mine:

http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=14326

Mike

 

[Rileysan]

Finding more potential leads. There's a thought that H Leach put their name on a drill press made by Langelier Manufacturing (also located in Providence). The Langelier #41 looks an awful lot like mine:

http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=14326

Mike

Keep on posting your finds ... I'm happy to learn from you!

Brian

 

[mikeinri]

Definitely a double-edged sword, owning something rare. While I'm finding some info, thanks largely to others who have posted their own info, the lack of original documentation stinks.

Mike

 

[Farmer J.]

Definitely a double-edged sword, owing something rare. While I'm finding some info, thanks largely to others who have posted their own info, the lack of original documentation stinks.

Mike

Keep at it! I reckon if you looking for long enough then new stuff turns up.. I was 50 years looking for the Merlin Engine tool kit (until i joined GJ !) , and earlier this year it seemed we would never find the origin of the Auto Cle antique socket set, then all the information suddenly came tumbling in.. So, don't lose heart, and continue the search. And please keep posting what you find it's interesting for us to read.

 

[mikeinri]

Thanks for all the positivity, guys!

I'm on hold for now due to Corona. The press is still at my Dad's house, don't want to risk infecting him (he's 70 with several risk categories).

My plan is to grab it and inspect for any other info, get better pics, and contact the current Leach company. It's a long shot, but they may be able to help.

Mike

 

[bubinga]

It's DEFINITELY worth keeping and restoring but I have no idea who made it.

I think it's kind of neat.
I'd restore it.

 

[mikeinri]

This is looking promising... Someone did a full tear-down and restoration on a Langelier #41, which looks an awful lot like my unit...

http://owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=161804&hilit=langelier

Before and after pics of his machine...

Mike

 

[bubinga]

Thanks for all the positivity, guys!

I'm on hold for now due to Corona. The press is still at my Dad's house, don't want to risk infecting him (he's 70 with several risk categories).

My plan is to grab it and inspect for any other info, get better pics, and contact the current Leach company. It's a long shot, but they may be able to help.
Mike

All I can say is That's a good thing you don't want to go there and put him at risk.
We were talking in the other thread, "show us your cool drill press"
I liked the idea you had about attaching a piece of steel or aluminum to the table. I think that could make a clean repair and have thought of it myself.
Maybe some type of epoxy to attach it, and make it a 1/16" over size, and attach it, then carefully file it down to meet the old table.

 

[bubinga]

This is looking promising... Someone did a full tear-down and restoration on a Langelier #41, which looks an awful lot like my unit...

http://owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=161804&hilit=langelier

Before and after pics of his machine...

Mike

Heck yeah, looks good.

 

[mikeinri]

Thanks. I stopped reading the virus thread(s) a while ago. Try not to watch too much news for the same reason (overload of hysteria). The whole thing is just happening, just trying to be careful but not paranoid.

We have two young boys who need us. We're both critical employees (I work for a drug company, my wife for a hospital, but not patient-facing), so we have to each go in 2-3 days per week. And balance keeping the kids busy with online learning and homework.

My wife's hospital has had several confirmed patients. At my job, we just fumigated the building because a subcontractor tested positive. Good times...

Mike

 

[bubinga]

Thanks. I stopped reading the virus thread(s) a while ago. Try not to watch too much news for the same reason (overload of hysteria). The whole thing is just happening, just trying to be careful but not paranoid.

We have two young boys who need us. We're both critical employees (I work for a drug company, my wife for a hospital, but not patient-facing), so we have to each go in 2-3 days per week. And balance keeping the kids busy with online learning and homework.

My wife's hospital has had several confirmed patients. At my job, we just fumigated the building because a subcontractor tested positive. Good times...

Mike

OMG!!
Stay Safe
God Bless You.

 

[Tedley]

I loved my sensitive drilling machine. A Hamilton Varimatic. I just didn't need it as badly as I needed more woodworking tools. I invented a few projects for it before I let it go.

It was very heavy for it's size, and quite unique in design.

I think you should love on yours a bit, the red one you posted a picture of is beautiful IMO.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

 

[Dumber than lumber]

To the OP: sorry to hear of the passing of your grandfather and please accept my sincere condolences.
As for the drill press - that sounds incredibly COOL. I suppose something like that could be used in gunsmithing and other important work. If I had inherited it I would tell people something like, “I inherited a Leach, and now I are one.”
Enjoy your new toy. Those must be rare.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

On the Leach family pride: they might need to update the founder’s sayings. That one where he talks of doing deals on a handshake will seem outdated and .... unsanitary.

 

[mikeinri]

Wow, that Hamilton looks like a serious piece of engineering!

Thanks for the encouragement, guys. I've never restored anything, and generally hate painting (in any form), but this looks fun!

I might be able to scavenge some stainless from work to cover that table.

Mike

 

[mikeinri]

Update: It's out of Dad's basement, and on my trailer coming home! Strapped it to an old hand truck, dragged it up the stairs. Weighs a ton...

Gave it a slightly better "inspection" (looking for ID tags). There's a second cast label on the base, opposite the one that says H LEACH MACH CO. The second tag says PROV RI USA NO 60.

So, I think it's a Langelier 60, tagged as a Leach.

It also has a tag that says UOC with a stamped number. I think that's an asset ID tag from Universal Optical Company (where my grandfather worked, as noted earlier in the thread).

Some of the holes in the arc of shame are all the way through the table, sadly. The belt is very, very crunchy, and there's a bunch of grease behind the quill.

Didn't find anything on the (HUGE) motor yet, and didn't get a good pic of the power switch, but that looks pretty modern, and says Square D Company on the face. No idea if that switch was original or was retrofitted.

This thing weighs a ton. I have no idea how my grandfather got this down to the basement, but it looks like he put it onto a piece of plywood on the floor, and left it there for a few decades...

Mike

 

[mikeinri]

Got home just before dark, got the DP into the garage.

Here are some pics from today.

Mike

 

[mikeinri]

My DP is still waiting for me to have time to restore it. Meanwhile, over on CL...

langerier sensitive jeweler drill press - tools - by owner - sale

jewelers drill press

providence.craigslist.org

No details given, but he wants $400 for this, complete with arc of shame and cobbled belt shroud...

Mike