Old school Craftsman drill press, fix or replace?

[hondakilla98]

I have an old craftsmen drill press that stopped working a few years ago. Now that I'm getting my garage in order. I need to decide if I should fix it or replace it. I think it was the motor that went out. Give me your opinions. Should I sell it and buy something working? Or put some money into this one?

 

[zkling]

Fix it, keep it. Probably just a start cap or even rotted wiring or dirty contacts in the wiring, hopefully something simple. I'd save it though. Maybe purchase a larger drill press if needed later on.

 

[gilbo]

for sure FIX, that's an easy answer, other than surface rust and the broken pulley, looks to be in good shape.

 

[softailgarage]

Uh, that you might want to keep. And if you say your gonna replace it with a Harbor Freight model I'll come through your monitor and smack you about the head. Keep it, tear it down, restore and rebuild, you'll be glad you did.

 

[jakemac]

Fix it !

Check the wiring first. It looks old and crumbly, there may be a broken wire. It looks like it needs to be replaced anyway.

Next, check the switch on the motor. There should also be a switch near the spindle, by the handles (I can't see it in the photos)

If the motor is thermal protected, check the reset button.

If it is the motor, see what it might cost to have it rebuilt (assuming that you can find someone near you that still rebuilds electric motors). Suitable motors turn up on ebay often, but shipping will just as often kill the deal.

That's one of my favorite DP's. If you can find a slow speed pulley attachment for it you'd be in DP heaven. (they're harder to find, and go for big bucks)

Good luck, and keep us informed.

EDIT :

Here's a link to a PDF version of the manual :
http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/1193.pdf

 

[hondakilla98]

Uh, that you might want to keep. And if you say your gonna replace it with a Harbor Freight model I'll come through your monitor and smack you about the head. Keep it, tear it down, restore and rebuild, you'll be glad you did.

You dont have to worry about that. If I replace it, I'll buy a used Delta or other name brand used press.

It sounds like I should at least put some new wiring on it and see if I can get it working before I buy a replacement. I'll update this thread after some trouble shooting.

 

[rsanter]

both
fit is, likely wont cost much to fix even if you replace the motor

then go looking for an older floor model DP

bob

 

[dodge610]

Fix it thy do not make them like that anymore. And sears may surprise you and still have the repair parts that you need. That one is when sears did it right. Refurbish her andhang on to it.

 

[d.mcfarland]

New bearings are real cheap!! A local electric motor place can rebuilt the motor and that thing will last the rest of your lifetime!

 

[Mavawreck]

Are you anywhere near DE or PA? I want it.

 

[tedsters]

i would definately fix it that thing don't have a mark on the table probally has hardly any use clean it up put a new pully on it thats a nice good ole drill that appears to be in pretty darn good shape IMO nice find, I agree with others to check the wiring or contacts on it first I just bought 6 motors on equip, and had to take 2 apart and clean them up before they would work

 

[Hawk]

You don't want to fix it, send it to me to scrap it out. J/K Fix that sucker.

 

[Packard V8]

A local electric motor place can rebuilt the motor and that thing will last the rest of your lifetime!

Better say, "Your results may vary." There isn't a motor shop in the northwest which would touch a fractional horsepower motor. The one I used for many years is now industrial-only and has a $75 minimum bench charge just to tell why it can't be fixed for a reasonable cost.

jack vines