Let's see your vintage drill bit indices

[crguy]

Here's one you don't see every day, made by Morse for taper shank drills. I don't normally refinish stuff, but this one had been in a fire and it's scarce enough I might not find another.

 

[don long]

That one is way past cool and I love that you shined it up

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

 

[pdqubet]

I picked up these three stands at an auction a couple of years ago. I had my eye on just the NTD stand, but since they were grouped together, they all came home with me. After cleaning, I sold the Cleveland's , but kept the NTD. The photos should reveal why. I've owned quite a few of the indices on this thread, but have never come across an early "metal" stand. I can't claim it's a first gen NTD stand, but guessing pretty close. If anyone has seen one like it or may know its age, please let me know. As shown in one of the photos, I circled a drill that had broken off at some point, in its life. That same photo, shows the misalignment of the holes, another clue to its age. The other pics show, both the casting marks and worn down fractional marks of the zinc. Thanks for any info.

 

[crguy]

I picked up these three stands at an auction a couple of years ago. I had my eye on just the NTD stand, but since they were grouped together, they all came home with me. After cleaning, I sold the Cleveland's , but kept the NTD. The photos should reveal why. I've owned quite a few of the indices on this thread, but have never come across an early "metal" stand. I can't claim it's a first gen NTD stand, but guessing pretty close. If anyone has seen one like it or may know its age, please let me know. As shown in one of the photos, I circled a drill that had broken off at some point, in its life. That same photo, shows the misalignment of the holes, another clue to its age. The other pics show, both the casting marks and worn down fractional marks of the zinc. Thanks for any info.

I would think that's an owner made copy, not a factory piece. Too crude to be factory made.

 

[RTM]

The copy could be verified if you can find an original, should be some % smaller due to casting shrinkage.

 

[crguy]

The copy could be verified if you can find an original, should be some % smaller due to casting shrinkage.

This is what a factory made one looks like:

 

[RTM]

This is what a factory made one looks like:

That’s too easy. I did not expect the bottom to be that different.

 

[humber2]

Here’s an unused Australian P&N set for drilling and tapping BA threads.

 

[Davefr]

Has anyone seen a painted Detroit drill bit index before? I picked up this one that came in white and yellow. It was a very good paint job (sprayed, crisp lines, etc) but just don't know if it was original. I stripped it and can't decide whether to replicate the color theme or leave it bare like it's twin brother. Searching the internet for other images does not show that any of these were ever painted. What say you? I think I'll leave it naked. (DTD indices are among my favorite style)

 

[crguy]

Has anyone seen a painted Detroit drill bit index before? I picked up this one that came in white and yellow. It was a very good paint job (sprayed, crisp lines, etc) but just don't know if it was original. I stripped it and can't decide whether to replicate the color theme or leave it bare like it's twin brother. Searching the internet for other images does not show that any of these were ever painted. What say you? I think I'll leave it naked. (DTD indices are among my favorite style)

I would say it was owner painted.

 

[ecotec]

I would say it was owner painted.

Absolutely.

 

[crguy]

Just acquired this one, made nearby in Gresham, OR. Notice it has places for both fractional size drills and numbered drills. Rotates also. First one I've seen.

 

[Davefr]

Just acquired this one, made nearby in Gresham, OR. Notice it has places for both fractional size drills and numbered drills. Rotates also. First one I've seen.

I have one that looks 100% identical but it's stamped "Precision Products, Sandy, Oregon".

I love it because it takes up very little space, goes from #60 to 1/2" and it's easy/convenient to find the bit you need. (IMHO, far superior to the big fold out styles.)

I was always curious why those aren't made today. It was a great design.

 

[d42jeep]

Even though there is absolutely nothing special about these Craftsman indices, two were really rusty and had very little finish left. I put the taller one in the evaporust yesterday and it came out with less rust and even less flaking paint. I had some silver Rustoleum and gray Rustoleum sitting around. I sprayed the taller one with the silver and was really disappointed with the result. I sprayed the smaller one with the gray and it came out pretty well. I’ll give the silver one a repaint to the gray color after it dries thoroughly in a couple of days. I left the one with decent original paint alone.
-Don
Edit,,,,Resprayed the larger one today.

 

[RTM]

This pretty simple Standard Tool unit sold for $65 from an online antique tool vendor. I was not even in the hunt.

 

[crguy]

This pretty simple Standard Tool unit sold for $65 from an online antique tool vendor. I was not even in the hunt.

From my experience, that's not out of line for current value of nice indexes.

 

[RTM]

But I’m a cheap b@stard when buying.

 

[crguy]

But I’m a cheap b@stard when buying.

Sorry to hear that actually. I hope you're not like some people that think a rusty broken tool from the flea market is something to be proud of. I decided early on in my collecting that I would go for quality rather than quantity.

 

[RTM]

Quality at a low price is my choice. I’m not gonna pay Snap-on prices for anything, but will buy Snap-on for a buck or two.
Etc etc.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I picked up a number size drill stand from the Alemite Die Casting & MFG Co. A division of the electric auto-lite company. I don't think this company has anything to do with the Alemite lubricant equipment company. Found it at a local swap meet buried in a trailer of rusty junk. Cleaned up ok with mostly soap and water and a little help from an SOS pad. I see there were a couple others posted up thread. By this particular variation on the company name I think this one is probably from the 40's. These same castings were around with the Alemite name for a couple decades before that though. A couple pics and a bit of a sales add. Ed.

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice little drill stand! I was surprised the black was original.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Thanks, I was glad to see most of the original finish survived under that rusty water stain that covered the whole thing. Still blasting a little rusty dust out of the holes but I got them all filled with the right drills now. One thing I really like about this style index is that center handle. Very convienent for carrying or spinning the index for bit selection.

 

[bonneyman]

Nice indices, all!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I don't think this company has anything to do with the Alemite lubricant equipment company.

Yes, it does, Ed. An amazing historical connection, actually. The Army plays a role, too! The man who started the Alemite Lubrication Company, Arthur Gollburg, was a young man working for the Alemite Die Casting & Manufacturing Company. His job was to oil the die-casting machines, which, in 1916, meant contorting himself into hot, grimy, and unsafe situations, several times per day, just to refill the drip-type oil scuppers on each machine. He invented the early pin type and screw type fittings for doing it from a pump, on the fly, to make his own job easier! He named the system after the place he worked, and in 1918, formed the Alemite Lubrication Company. He was immediately bought out by Bassick, which became Bassick-Alemite, and when White Motor Company of Cleveland became the first outfit to adopt it to automotive use, it really took off. Within two years every other mfgr making trucks for the Army adopted it. Bassick-Alemite bought out Allyne-Zerk (to acquire a rival fitting) in 1924, and later that same year, probably seeing the huge market potential, Stewart-Warner bought out Bassick-Alemite.

Found it at a local swap meet buried in a trailer of rusty junk.

Kudos!

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Great info on early Alemite history Lugz. It did seem quite the coincidence that both companies shared the same name and I guess that connection was young Arthur Gullborg. Good story there. Thanks. Ed. (fixed name)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

You're quite welcome, Ed. Your find, the name just begging the connection, will always keep the story alive! One important correction that would prove beneficial for searches and further reading. It's not Gollburg, but Gullborg. My recollection is not as precise as it once was, but my dyslexia is just as strong as ever!

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Thanks Lugz. I fixed Aurthurs last name in my post as well....definitely help out with any future searches. Also I was surfing up thread a bit and looking at crguy's revolving Morse taper stand and I thought I had seen it in a catalog a while back. Here is an ok pic (screen shot) of the cut from a 1915 Morse catalog. Probably the same one. Ed.

 

[Zeus36]

 

[crguy]

Thanks Lugz. I fixed Aurthurs last name in my post as well....definitely help out with any future searches. Also I was surfing up thread a bit and looking at crguy's revolving Morse taper stand and I thought I had seen it in a catalog a while back. Here is an ok pic (screen shot) of the cut from a 1915 Morse catalog. Probably the same one. Ed.

Thanks Ed! I still haven't seen another one of those stands.

 

[crguy]

I picked up a number size drill stand from the Alemite Die Casting & MFG Co. A division of the electric auto-lite company. I don't think this company has anything to do with the Alemite lubricant equipment company. Found it at a local swap meet buried in a trailer of rusty junk. Cleaned up ok with mostly soap and water and a little help from an SOS pad. I see there were a couple others posted up thread. By this particular variation on the company name I think this one is probably from the 40's. These same castings were around with the Alemite name for a couple decades before that though. A couple pics and a bit of a sales add. Ed.

Ed: I thought that looked familiar. I have this one marked Keystone Reamer & Tool Company.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Nice one crguy. I guess that shows Alemite was casting these for other companies, probably as an advertising tool? Your Keystone Reamer example has a lot of nice finish left on it. Also a good example of the fractional size version from the add above. Ed.

Nice MT taper drill storage racks Zeus. Looks like you have a very nice set of big drills too. Hard to tell from the pic but it looks like they go up to around 3"? I Have a set from 1/2" to 1-1/2" by 64ths and quite a few if not all from 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" My biggest one is 3" but with skips in 1/4" increments to there. All the MT bits I have are in shop made holders. A couple of pics. Ed.

 

[Zeus36]

Been on the lookout for one of these:

 

[crguy]

Been on the lookout for one of these:

Not a common one:

 

[macgee]

Nice index Oregon rock crusher,

I know this isn't a drill bit index per se' but seeing all these recent round index's reminds me of my little vintage carbide bur index made by Cutwell that I have for my NSK micromotor. The wood bur holder tray fits inside a tin metal container and spins around effortlessly on a brass bearing like a Lazy Susan and has a top to keep them fresh while sitting on the shelf. So handy and holds over a 100 burs.

 

[RTM]

I know this isn't a drill bit index per se' but seeing all these recent round index's reminds me of my little vintage carbide bur index made by Cutwell that I have for my NSK micromotor. T

Macgee, nice to see you back again.

I needed an organizer like yours, and settled for a newly made Foredom version. No style, no substance, and about 1/3 of the holes are for shaft sizes I don’t have. On the lookout for a nice one like yours now.

 

[RTM]

And ordered off ebay. Thanks for bringing that back up.

Here is a Huot #829 Drill Index I picked up a few weeks back. Has wall mounting holes, so this may find a home closer to the DP. A little more style than my rusty or painted ones, and a bit less space than my brass plate.

 

[Zeus36]

 

[macgee]

Macgee, nice to see you back again.

I needed an organizer like yours, and settled for a newly made Foredom version. No style, no substance, and about 1/3 of the holes are for shaft sizes I don’t have. On the lookout for a nice one like yours now.

Thanks RTM,

I hope you're able to find one.

Nice one Zeus,

That drill bit & tap index looks like a labor of love that was shop made

 

[Tarnished]

Unexpected find at the local flea market yesterday. Whitman and Barnes #5 fractional. Came with a full set of mis-matched well worn bits.