Restored Craftsman floor drillpress

[evintho]

It's been a long time coming but here it is in all it's splendored glory!

BEFORE...................

AFTER....................

BEFORE..................

AFTER...................

It shouldn't have taken this long but a myriad of other projects, and life got in the way! Had a problem with the motor. Started smoking really bad. I thought the windings were fried but turns out I bent a switch inside when I put it back together, so it was staying engaged. Fixed that.

I installed an easy-to-access rocker switch in the head unit 'cause the original on/off switch was a thumb dial that was incorporated in the 60 year old power cord. Installed a new cord too. Basically, I just tore it down and cleaned everything up. Polished up all the shiny stuff on my buffer.

Here's the original thread.............

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46694

Here's the thread on head disassembly................

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51384

I still need to restore the X-Y vise that came with it and I have and idea and some parts for a speed reduction unit but right now, I have to go look at a CL MIG welder. So, enjoy the pics!

 

[old salvage]

Now thats just beautiful.
Helps one imagine what it must have been like walking into a Sears back in the 50's n 60's.

 

[woody 73]

Fantastic job,very,very nice!

 

[Stuart in MN]

Very nice! These old Craftsman presses are nice tools - I have one too.

 

[airbuff101]

Simply Magnificent!
Well done Sir!
Rob

 

[Vettman]

Beautiful! I wish I could find one to restore.

 

[hofferwood]

Chuck

 

[mkirkpatrick]

That is awesome, great work.

 

[ramtuff]

Great job!

 

[ambenz]

Welcome to the Craftsman Drillpress Club!
You go to the head of the line with that beauty!
Great Job!!!

 

[Coach James]

Outstanding job.

Coach

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

You did a very good job on restoring that DP. The table looks great and the polish work on the rest looks fantastic not to mention the paint and trim.

 

[catsteve]

Awesome job. Very envious. are they bakelite knobs on the handle?

 

[DavidB]

That looks great! Congrats on having a beautiful looking drill press!

 

[cnc-me]

Looking real nice.
Like the color too.
Sure beats those Asian jobbies, don't it.

 

[Bigpigdave]

Super Job!!! I love that series of Craftsman Drill Press.
Dave

 

[Lightfoot]

Very nice! I have one built exactly the same, 'cept it's craftsman grey.

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Looks better than new!

 

[lowbucktruck]

Excellent resto job! That is a beauty!

 

[Aberdale]

Nicely done. And good photography too! I recently restored an old Camelback Buffalo press, so I know how much work it can be to clean, polish, and repaint every single piece.

You should be proud of yours.

Dale

 

[spongerich]

Nice!

What paint did you use? Looks like it matches the Power Gold pretty well.

 

[evintho]

Thanks everyone for the accolades! I'm very happy with the way it came out!

Awesome job. Very envious. are they bakelite knobs on the handle?

Yes, I believe they are. Cleaned up very nicely on the buffer.

Nice!
What paint did you use? Looks like it matches the Power Gold pretty well.

I used the Rustoleum Hammertone Gold #7210 and used Charcoal Grey on the motor housing.

Had to bore a hole in the head unit to install the rocker switch and epoxied it in.

 

[scott_one]

Very nice job! Almost seems a shame to get it all yucked up again.

 

[texasguy]

evin tho - excellent job.

I just picked up one of these this weekend that I will restore. How does the decorative panel on the head unit come off and re-install? Thanks much and again, excellent work.

 

[jamesemery728]

Beautiful job. The beauty of restoring a tool like this is now you know everything about it, how every part comes apart and goes back together so if anything ever goes wrong with it you will know how to fix it. I am sure it did not come out of the factory looking this good.

 

[throttlejunkie1]

Oh man thats amazing! I would pay $$$ for an old press like that. CL here I come lol!

 

[Incredible]

Nice. The "Before" version of that is in my Dad's garage. I helped haul it home after his dad died. I will haul it home when my Dad dies. Hopefully I can make it look as good as yours. Love the color choice, too.

 

[bc'z]

nice resto. Are you thinking of the factory multi-speed adjuster for yours or a homemade version?

would you be looking for a period correct motor?

Were you able to save the original thumb dial on/off switch? can be a desirable item for resto work.

 

[evintho]

I just picked up one of these this weekend that I will restore. How does the decorative panel on the head unit come off and re-install? Thanks much and again, excellent work.

At the begining of this post there's a link to my 'head disassembly' post. Towards the end of that post it shows how to remove the decorative panel. It's held on by 2 pins.

nice resto. Are you thinking of the factory multi-speed adjuster for yours or a homemade version?

would you be looking for a period correct motor?

Were you able to save the original thumb dial on/off switch? can be a desirable item for resto work.

1) I'm gonna fab up a speed reducing pulley system myself.
2) No, I just need a motor that works properly.
3) Oops! I didn't know that. It went in the trash along with the ancient power cord!

 

[whelenfan]

fantastic! I have been looking for one of those for awhile, whether I can do it justice like you did is another matter!