Is this the right Clausing DP?

[jabeebe]

For sale on Facebook marketplace for $1,200. Seems steep, but then again all of these old american-made drill presses are highly priced right now it seems. Budget is about $1,000, but I obviously want to get the best press I can for that.

Is this the one?

As an aside, I've looked at milling/drilling machines instead the majority of what I do is metal working, but they're even harder to find under $1,000.

Thanks!

 

[tool_scrounge]

Hard to give a good answer having no idea of where on the planet you are located.

 

[jabeebe]

Hard to give a good answer having no idea of where on the planet you are located.

Jokes on you, I live on mars.

I mean Pennsylvania.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Its just ok for that price. I'd look for one with a production table. I just picked up a nice radial arm drill press for $300.

 

[jabeebe]

Its just ok for that price. I'd look for one with a production table. I just picked up a nice radial arm drill press for $300.

Good advice!

 

[paulsomlo]

There's no way in hell that drill press is selling for $1200 - that's at least 2x over what it will go for. Keep watching the ad - if they want to sell, you'll see the price drop.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Jokes on you, I live on mars.

I mean Pennsylvania.

Your quoted USD currency so I just assumed

That looks like the 15” version of the drill. The Reeves style variable speed drive can have wear issues. You would want to turn it on and cycle thru the whole range of speeds to see if it runs smoothly throughout. A lot of times they can have really annoying belt squeal. In So Cal that would more likely sell in the $600 range.

 

[jabeebe]

Your quoted USD currency so I just assumed

That looks like the 15” version of the drill. The Reeves style variable speed drive can have wear issues. You would want to turn it on and cycle thru the whole range of speeds to see if it runs smoothly throughout. A lot of times they can have really annoying belt squeal. In So Cal that would more likely sell in the $600 range.

Thanks for the detailed response. This is the type of stuff I need to hear so that I avoid jumping the gun and overpaying just because I'm itching to get something new.

 

[larry4406]

On the column down low, there is a crank. I assume this is for a lift table. That is a very nice option that you do not see often. This would be a cost add compared to another drill press.

No arc of shame on the table, a huge plus!!!!

If you look above the table on the column, it looks like it has the Welch cam lock holding system which is very desirable and $$$$$ ($150-350 range). These are long since discontinued. My Clausing 1640 has a 2.5" diameter column. This would be a cost add compared to another drill press.

That unit has adjustable speed control, not sure if it is a Reeves drive or not. Those can have issues. I would check it it make sure no obscene noises and it runs thru the full range.

Make sure it is not 3 phase and the runout is good.

 

[tool_scrounge]

On the column down low, there is a crank. I assume this is for a lift table. That is a very nice option that you do not see often. This would be a cost add compared to another drill press.

No arc of shame on the table, a huge plus!!!!

If you look above the table on the column, it looks like it has the Welch cam lock holding system which is very desirable and $$$$$ ($150-350 range). These are long since discontinued. My Clausing 1640 has a 2.5" diameter column. This would be a cost add compared to another drill press.

That unit has adjustable speed control, not sure if it is a Reeves drive or not. Those can have issues. I would check it it make sure no obscene noises and it runs thru the full range.

Make sure it is not 3 phase and the runout is good.

The table crank location makes sense for the Clausing factory table mounted drill press like I have at work. But for the floor version it would be nice to not to have to stoop so low to adjust the table height.

I missed that it had the Welch Cam Lock. Is appears they used a 3.5” version and added a spacer for use on a 3” diameter post.

That photo of the Cam Lock looks familiar BTW . If they are selling for that much I should probably sell my spares.

I am pretty sure that has a Reeves style drive.

 

[paulsomlo]

Here are some options, you may have to do a little driving:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/887916290428182/?ref=saved&referral_code=null&__tn__=!:D
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1507354050527101/?ref=saved&referral_code=null&__tn__=!:D
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/25491814397135224/?ref=saved&referral_code=null&__tn__=!:D
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1234679948516100/?ref=saved&referral_code=null&__tn__=!:D
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/576663478135313/?ref=saved&referral_code=null&__tn__=!:D
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1358022068882804/?ref=saved&referral_code=null&__tn__=!:D
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1586470565864684/?ref=saved&referral_code=null&__tn__=!:D

Personally? I would rather have 3 phase with a VFD than the Reeves drive. And make sure you get something with a table raising mechanism, otherwise you're in for a workout every time you need to lower or raise the table. And don't be scared off by a machine with a 3ph motor.

 

[larry4406]

The table crank location makes sense for the Clausing factory table mounted drill press like I have at work. But for the floor version it would be nice to not to have to stoop so low to adjust the table height.

I missed that it had the Welch Cam Lock. Is appears they used a 3.5” version and added a spacer for use on a 3” diameter post.

That photo of the Cam Lock looks familiar BTW . If they are selling for that much I should probably sell my spares.

I am pretty sure that has a Reeves style drive.

There is some NOS Welch Cam Locks on Ebay right now for 3.5" columns for cheap! I would have bought one but it wrong size.

If that was your poached photo, sorry!

 

[whateg01]

Personally? I would rather have 3 phase with a VFD than the Reeves drive. And make sure you get something with a table raising mechanism, otherwise you're in for a workout every time you need to lower or raise the table. And don't be scared off by a machine with a 3ph motor.

Depends on the use. If you need to show the spindle down to run a 4" hole saw, you may need the increased torque that a belt reduction provides.

 

[tool_scrounge]

There is some NOS Welch Cam Locks on Ebay right now for 3.5" columns for cheap! I would have bought one but it wrong size.

If that was your poached photo, sorry!

Wow- that is a good price for a NOS 3.5” Welch Cam Lock

 

[Whitworth]

That's a beautiful drill press.
But I think the price is a bit steep.

Personally, I'd prefer a stepped pulley over the reeves drive; less maintenance, and less noise.

 

[kmacht]

For $1200 since you are up in the northeast area you could get a Bridgeport Mill. That drill press should be in the $5-600 range.

 

[Davefr]

To each his own, but I can't stand these Reeves variable speed drives. They're noisy, problematic, parts can cost a fortune, etc. I'll take belt, step pulleys and VFD any day. If you want that machine go thru the variable speed components with a fine tooth comb. That machine also lacks table tilt which I find good to have.

 

[rocksnstumps]

In the upper Midwest have been seeing the old machine shop auction 20" drill presses go for under $500. Arboga, Wilton geared heads (made in Sweden), Powermatic, and Clausing. Picked up a Clausing myself for under $300. The Reeves drive belt system is noisy but works well enough for quickly changing speeds. The 20" Clausing is beastly heavy with a 4" column.

That one seems a bit smaller and agree that table does not look like their heavy duty model. Those the table has t-slots just like the base.

Just a long way of saying for that DP seems pricey.

But will admit that the auction ones are only available to be picked up during weekday working hours which makes it a bit more challenging and cuts back on numbers of players.

Edit: Did see a much newer Ellis variable speed DP go for big bucks but expect that one was new enough that was probably over $3500 when first delivered.

 

[BombShelter]

I had my eye on Clausings for awhile but was always outbid, I was going for around $600 a few years ago. Nice looking machines but I ended up with a big JET and the classic Craftsman.

Around here they used to come up regularly, I'm not sure these days. One thing is, we have to pick up at a certain time slot when it's an auction, these things are very heavy, you might need an engine puller and some good straps to tie it down. I'd check on the weight and make sure you have equipment to move it.

 

[jabeebe]

Ok how about this Clausing 1670? I know it's $$, but I talked to the guy and he claims he disassembled and rebuilt anything needed, including fresh paint. He sent me a video and it has virtually no runout. Is the price out of this universe, or worth it considering it will take no work?

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[whateg01]

1100 is more than I would spend but it's your money. How bad do you want it? The video has so much background noise you can't actually hear the machine itself. Was that done on purpose? I tend to stay away from machines that "somebody rebuilt". What some people consider rebuilt is just a paint job. Did he "rebuild" it just so he could ask more for it? Did he just rebuild it recently so he could sell it? Or did he rebuild it and find a problem or something didn't go well and he's trying to offload it? I'm always skeptical but rebuilt machines just scare me.

 

[jabeebe]

1100 is more than I would spend but it's your money. How bad do you want it? The video has so much background noise you can't actually hear the machine itself. Was that done on purpose? I tend to stay away from machines that "somebody rebuilt". What some people consider rebuilt is just a paint job. Did he "rebuild" it just so he could ask more for it? Did he just rebuild it recently so he could sell it? Or did he rebuild it and find a problem or something didn't go well and he's trying to offload it? I'm always skeptical but rebuilt machines just scare me.

Good points. It seems like he's a reseller, so he has a ton of these machines, "rebuilds" them, and sells for profit.

 

[rocksnstumps]

Just coming back to this thread. From that pic not seeing a crank and rack to adjust the table or alternatively the head. Would ask clarification on that. Without it, that seems way high. Btw, just logged on here after following an online auction. Was not bidding on it but saw a 16" Clausing benchtop model go for $400. Call it $475 with the taxes and fees. And yes that model did have a table adjust. 3 ph motor however