new old Delta Homecraft drill press

[Natsfan]

Another craigslist score. A few questions for the collective. It is actually in great shape and does not NEED anything. The cord is a little ratty and the belt looks original.

Now the cord is two wire( pardon my electrical ignorance) can I replace it with a three prong cord and ground it to the motor? Would that be "safer" or just use a two prong?

As far as the belt goes I can just match one up at Napa? Nothing special right?

Paint is in pretty good shape, I think a good scrubbin is all it needs. What are your opinions on a clear coat over the painted parts? I was thinking of acid dipping the steel fasteners but could not decide what I wanted to coat them with. Any luck with a galvanizing paint or the like? Something that will keep them from rusting but wont stand out.

Thanks Y'all

 

[Natsfan]

Ooops forgot the pictures...

 

[Natsfan]

MMMM scratch the no paint idea, found some bad spots.

Did find out she was born in 1959, so that would be sea foam green, not harvest gold. I did not think it was quite that old.

Any hints on the best way to remove those tiny ID tag rivets? As well as replace them?

 

[Outlawmws]

I use flush cutting dykes to get them started, and then piers to twist/pull them out.

 

[WWIIjeep]

Did find out she was born in 1959, so that would be sea foam green, not harvest gold. I did not think it was quite that old.

??? Sea foam green? Harvest gold?

The Craftsman motor isn't original to the drill press, but it is of approximately the same age, from the Craftsman Power Bronze color era (roughly 1958 to 1962).

The drill press dates from somewhere between 1958 and 1964. You can pin it down to an exact year by checking the serial number against the list posted on the wiki at vintagemachinery.org

The gray speckled paint on the drill press is original.

 

[Natsfan]

So I was in the process of pulling the motor apart to prep for paint. That little voice said "WAIT". I have never taken an electric motor apart, if I pull the caps off are springs and ball bearing going to fly across the garage? Do I need to be mindful off how the caps go back together?

Got most the hardware cleaned up, soaked in degreaser, wire brushed or scotchbrited, dried and a coat of never dull.

Cast parts wire brushed, still have to degrease. Hopefully will finish prep and maybe paint tomorrow.

 

[Red Leader]

??? Sea foam green? Harvest gold?

The Craftsman motor isn't original to the drill press, but it is of approximately the same age, from the Craftsman Power Bronze color era (roughly 1958 to 1962).

The drill press dates from somewhere between 1958 and 1964. You can pin it down to an exact year by checking the serial number against the list posted on the wiki at vintagemachinery.org

The gray speckled paint on the drill press is original.

What's interesting is that this press, along with many older power tools, came without a motor (in 'basic' configuration) and the motor was considered an accessory. So, its actually interesting to think that while the motor may not be OEM, or correct for staying with a single manufacturer, the owner could have bought the basic press, found a better deal on a Craftsman motor, then bought that and put them together.

If I was restoring that press though, I'd still switch it out for a Delta/Homecraft motor

 

[Red Leader]

So I was in the process of pulling the motor apart to prep for paint. That little voice said "WAIT". I have never taken an electric motor apart, if I pull the caps off are springs and ball bearing going to fly across the garage? Do I need to be mindful off how the caps go back together?

Got most the hardware cleaned up, soaked in degreaser, wire brushed or scotchbrited, dried and a coat of never dull.

Cast parts wire brushed, still have to degrease. Hopefully will finish prep and maybe paint tomorrow.

You could always do some basic searching on the OWWM.org website about refurbishing a motor. This motor was extremely common and there are a lot of guys who have rebuilt them.

Make sure you post plenty of pictures!

 

[Natsfan]

Thanks for the replies. I am not headed for exact restoration, just a nice drill press is good for me. So far looks like nothing needs to replaced except belt and cord. Pretty amazing considering the age.

 

[Packard V8]

I've got a couple of those and it almost seems if Rockwell/Delta used more durable paint on the Homecraft entry level models. That spatter paint always seems to be in good condition.

Of course, the Homecraft were less likely to see severe use or in factories than the larger units. Both the bench and the radial Homecrafts I have had some surface rust, but other than that are mint.

FWIW, The basic Delta DPs are hell-for-stout. I've got five of them and have been using them for forty years. There's on thing which still just puzzles the heck out of me. For a major manufacturer, Delta just refused to provide a convenient up front On-Off switch. To build a DP for forty years and still be using a two-foot-long-MickeyMouse-bent-wire going back to a toggle switch on the motor is just sad lack of givashit. Every Japanese/Taiwanese/Chicom DP, no matter how cheap, usually had a reachable switch. It's not rocket science. It's not expensive. What was Delta thinking?

jack vines

 

[Natsfan]

Goldfinger...

 

[uniballer]

****! That is nice! Great job!

 

[Natsfan]

Not sure why my pics keep coming out sideways

I know its a little bright, its Rustoleum Hammered Copper. Applied with a brush, it really coats well and leaves a very nice feeling surface. I was skeptical about brushing it, but I am now sold on it. Much cheaper by the quart than rattle can too!

Got a light set up, boy those original ones are expensive! Had to make do with an old desk lamp and a can. Now I just need to make or find a stand.