Looking for Drill - Dream Walker Turner popped up

[BuyMyGarage]

Been looking for a decent drill press, based on info here, Walker Turner might be a choice.

Currently there are two locally, one for $75 and one for $1200.

$1200 is too much, and it looks like a lawn ornament (very rusty).
The green one is $75 and looks wounded.

Should I buy the green one and hold for parts? Is the motor alone worth that?

I missed a nice Craftsman 100 for $100 by 1 phone call on Sunday.

 

[JimFZR]

$1200 is way too much, you’re right. The green one is priced well but looks a little worn out. IMO the ideally price range of that model of Walker Turner is $100-200. That way you’re getting a machine that can be restored but already is in running shape. I picked up the below one for $150 about a year ago and you can see it was in decent shape… ran well but needed some TLC.

 

[bmwrd0]

I have one, and the big issue is bearings for the spindle. So, if it was me, I would check on the green machine and really look at the runout and play. In any case, the greenie might be a parts machine for another WT that comes down the line.

I don't usually think about high-priced machines, they will either sell or not, but $1200 is a bit on the high side.

 

[JimFZR]

Good point on the bearings. Walker Turner uses some weird sizes. I get about 3 thou of runout in my spindle (original bearings) and about 6 thou in the original Jacob’s chuck. It’s not perfect but for general woodworking I’m ok with it.

 

[Whitworth]

Good condition, working WT machines are rarer than hen's teeth.
And whatever pool of used parts there was has long since dried up.
Even vintage Delta-Rockwell parts are getting hard to source now.

 

[BuyMyGarage]

$1200 is way too much, you’re right. The green one is priced well but looks a little worn out. IMO the ideally price range of that model of Walker Turner is $100-200. That way you’re getting a machine that can be restored but already is in running shape. I picked up the below one for $150 about a year ago and you can see it was in decent shape… ran well but needed some TLC.

Jimfzr, that machine looks great! I really like the "hat' on that machine.

I see you are in Utah, I will be there next week to watch Weber State beat Utah in football.

 

[BuyMyGarage]

I have one, and the big issue is bearings for the spindle. So, if it was me, I would check on the green machine and really look at the runout and play. In any case, the greenie might be a parts machine for another WT that comes down the line.

I don't usually think about high-priced machines, they will either sell or not, but $1200 is a bit on the high side.

Not many parts left on the green one!, Motor, chuck? spring... I may have found a body to transplant some items.

For the $1200 dollar machine: it is listed by a man. The exact same machine is now listed with a side view picture, and "must go", by a woman for $800... divorce fight?

 

[BuyMyGarage]

Good point on the bearings. Walker Turner uses some weird sizes. I get about 3 thou of runout in my spindle (original bearings) and about 6 thou in the original Jacob’s chuck. It’s not perfect but for general woodworking I’m ok with it.

This would be a very general woodworking machine, 3 thou of runout has to be better than by handheld Ryobi.

 

[BuyMyGarage]

I expanded my search area a little and found better looking WT... with some issues (has table lift):
"Return spring housing is cracked, needs motor and motor mount as well as table adjustment crank."


Maybe greenie plus this one? Different eras....

Edit Seller replied, at least it has a chuck

 

[Cruzan80]

In fairness, the "rusty" one looks like a radial drill press, and is usally priced well into the high hundreds. So 1200 is optimistic, but not wildly so. 800 would be reasonable if you could use one, under 500 would be approaching a steal. Much more powerful,ore versatile and more speed adjustments than a standard benchtop. Can't tell if it has a lift or not, the head raises/lowers. But it is a totally different category than greenie. Google *Walker Turner Radial Drill Press" to see what it can do.

 

[bmwrd0]

Well, they are different models, but you might get some good parts interchange, or at least close enough for gov't work.

I couldn't see the side of the greenie, but I would offer 60 on it, and pick up that floor-standing model.

And ship the table lift to me!

 

[Plombob]

If it were me, I'd keep looking. The green one is beat up and the Arc of Shame is pretty strong on that one. The $1200 is too spendy for me.

Unless you are looking for a specific DP, there are likely lots of CMan DPs out there. My CMan drills holes just as good as any WT.