Old Buffalo vs Old Craftsman Drill Press

[The_General]

I have two deals one is close the other is a far drive. Was curious what people thought about the buffalo dp vs the craftsman dp.
The craftsman is 45 bucks, and the buffalo is a 100. What would you guys buy? The buffalo is about 1 hour round trip and the craftsman is about a 2 hour trip. Dont really care about the time as I am about which one is better

 

[relicrecoveryspecialist]

I would say based off just the pictures, and no back story, unless the buffalo had the belt, pulley guards I would go for the Craftsman. Most people don’t realize how many times they wanna grab something to put a little more pressure on a piece they’re drilling, and the one with the missing guards looks like a injury waiting to happen


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[tool_scrounge]

The Buffalo is the pre 1957 model. In 1957 they went to full pulley guards. The Buffalo has a damaged rear pulley and it is not original (only 4 speed instead of 5). The craftsman looks to have non-original, damaged, or modified handle. The DP2 on the front of the craftsman drill press makes me think it was used in an industrial environment, which is worrisome from a wear prospective. I find the Buffalo to be a beefier but the craftsman has better part availability. I might choose neither.

 

[SGKent]

The Buffalo is the pre 1957 model. In 1957 they went to full pulley guards. The Buffalo has a damaged rear pulley and it is not original (only 4 speed instead of 5). The craftsman looks to have non-original, damaged, or modified handle. The DP2 on the front of the craftsman drill press makes me think it was used in an industrial environment, which is worrisome from a wear prospective. I find the Buffalo to be a beefier but the craftsman has better part availability. I might choose neither.

there are many drill presses out there that have little wear. Keep looking. One thing to consider is the height of the item you will be working on. If you are drilling wood that is 4 inches thick max then height isn't much of an issue, but if you will be drilling things that could be 14" to 24" tall then get a floor model.

 

[exmaxima1]

The Buffalo is the pre 1957 model. In 1957 they went to full pulley guards. The Buffalo has a damaged rear pulley and it is not original (only 4 speed instead of 5). The craftsman looks to have non-original, damaged, or modified handle. The DP2 on the front of the craftsman drill press makes me think it was used in an industrial environment, which is worrisome from a wear prospective. I find the Buffalo to be a beefier but the craftsman has better part availability. I might choose neither.

+1 on both points.

I'd look elsewhere, and especially look for a 3 pulley model. And possibly Taiwanese.

 

[The_General]

There is a 3rd option, but the price point is 135.00

 

[tool_scrounge]

There is a 3rd option, but the price point is 135.00

Too much money for what looks to be a model 80 (13"?) With a single speed pulley on the motor, the first craftsman one looks like it might be the same model with a smaller 3/8" chuck.

 

[SGKent]

what city are you in, in Illinois? The reason I ask is these folks here at the GJ seem to find things for sale that the rest of us miss.

 

[exmaxima1]

what city are you in, in Illinois? The reason I ask is these folks here at the GJ seem to find things for sale that the rest of us miss.

Well, the CM drill press is in Hampshire IL (minutes from my workplace) and the Buffalo is in Antioch IL. Both are in northwest suburbs, same as me.

 

[seber]

You are in a great market area for machinery. It shouldn't take long to find a better deal. Parts for those old DPs are hard to find but things like pulleys are universal. Nonetheless, you need to consider the cost and trouble to deal with it. A five step pulley for that Buffalo will bring the cost up to more than a good deal on a better machine. I agree with the preference for a floor model unless you are really strapped for space. Benchtops should go for about half of a comparable floor DP.

 

[exmaxima1]

You are in a great market area for machinery. It shouldn't take long to find a better deal. ..........

Here's a good deal for a more recent floor model Craftsman for $85:

https://offerup.com/item/detail/843629553/

Location appears to be just minutes north of Huntley IL, where I work.