oliver2-44
New member
I see pictures of a nice restore from earlier this week, so the bar is set high.
About 10 years ago I restored my dads 1950's Craftsman table top drill press and gave it to my son that is named after him.
I picked this up for $60 at an old dirt floor shop where a young guy was selling off a deceased family members things. It runs, but certainly needs some Love. Here's it in a disassemble pile. I have a large home-built sand blast cabinet and have already started cleaning a few small items.
I'll most likely spray paint it with an oil base enamel with hardener.![IMG_0919[1].JPG](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/data/attachments/1906/1906077-137b0ef490d1145ae301436d1a50a7d1.jpg "IMG_0919[1].JPG")
I don't fully understand the motor mount only being on one side. The round pin on the left (top side) is frozen. Is it a spring loaded part that has to do with tensioning the motor/belt? The motor looked to be slightly cocked so the belt was not running nice and square with the motor pulley.
![IMG_0921[1].JPG](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/data/attachments/1906/1906080-af04d66b91c9f3d7dd3bb539c8bd8ce6.jpg "IMG_0921[1].JPG")
The homemade table is actually very well made. It is heavy 3/4 plate steel. May need an air cylinder or something under it for lift.
![IMG_0923[1].JPG](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/data/attachments/1906/1906075-524f6110d24683e771c3c7049230fa53.jpg "IMG_0923[1].JPG")
![IMG_0922[1].JPG](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/data/attachments/1906/1906081-3e7af755723b06cc521078c95a3389a3.jpg "IMG_0922[1].JPG")
I think I'm missing a part to the column mount (left of picture) I'm also missing one of the spindle height adjusting nuts. (right of picture)
![IMG_0918[1].JPG](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/data/attachments/1906/1906087-9c45189fcc8c9d33ea629a4f3548f1c2.jpg "IMG_0918[1].JPG")
The handle rod is froze in the quill crank. I've been dripping Kroil on it, but I suspect some heat may be required to loosen it up. I've seen some comments where others talk about putting a 3 spoke rod here. Whats required to do that.
![IMG_0920[1].JPG](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/data/attachments/1906/1906095-7e490dba827dfbf2f124fdc9b12589b7.jpg "IMG_0920[1].JPG")
Not pictured, but the quill return spring has the tab broken off the outer end. I know this is spring steel, but could I heat just the end and bend a new tab. I see they are NLA from Rockwell. Are there other ones or copies being made that will fit?
If anyone has any of the parts I'm missing, please let me know.
I'm undecided if I will keep the heavy homemade table or look for a replacement.
I have a nice Grizzly table top drill press that may become just my wood working machine (wood and oil don't mix well)
I'm thinking it would be nice to put a solid/accurate vice with x/y adjustment and have another vice with angle capability.
An X/Y T-Slotted mill table would be nice! Gotta dream, but probable out of my price range.
I have an inexpensive HF vice with x/y adjustment but it has too much slack in it.
I'm thinking this drill press will be used for my metal work fabrication.
An accurate vice would help with centering on old rusted broken bolts for removal.
I'm wondering if I may need to change one of the top stepped pulley's to slow it down for metal work.
I'm also undecided if I will replace the bearings. I see the one on top of the pulley is possible NLA.
There really only seemed to be a tiny bit of side play in the column/quill. But I want to put it back in after I've cleaned all the rust off and see what it really feels like. I'll check it with my dial indicator. How many thousands of side play and run-out is a good tight possibility on this drill press?
Does anyone just pop the seals out of good bearing's to clean and regrease them?
I would like to learn more about adding a VFD like someone showed in this picture.
I'm familiar with the large 3 phase industrial VFD's we had around the power plants, but not small single phase ones.
I appreciate any comments and suggestions. Always something new to learn on a project like this.
About 10 years ago I restored my dads 1950's Craftsman table top drill press and gave it to my son that is named after him.
I picked this up for $60 at an old dirt floor shop where a young guy was selling off a deceased family members things. It runs, but certainly needs some Love. Here's it in a disassemble pile. I have a large home-built sand blast cabinet and have already started cleaning a few small items.
I'll most likely spray paint it with an oil base enamel with hardener.
I don't fully understand the motor mount only being on one side. The round pin on the left (top side) is frozen. Is it a spring loaded part that has to do with tensioning the motor/belt? The motor looked to be slightly cocked so the belt was not running nice and square with the motor pulley.
The homemade table is actually very well made. It is heavy 3/4 plate steel. May need an air cylinder or something under it for lift.
I think I'm missing a part to the column mount (left of picture) I'm also missing one of the spindle height adjusting nuts. (right of picture)
The handle rod is froze in the quill crank. I've been dripping Kroil on it, but I suspect some heat may be required to loosen it up. I've seen some comments where others talk about putting a 3 spoke rod here. Whats required to do that.
Not pictured, but the quill return spring has the tab broken off the outer end. I know this is spring steel, but could I heat just the end and bend a new tab. I see they are NLA from Rockwell. Are there other ones or copies being made that will fit?
If anyone has any of the parts I'm missing, please let me know.
I'm undecided if I will keep the heavy homemade table or look for a replacement.
I have a nice Grizzly table top drill press that may become just my wood working machine (wood and oil don't mix well)
I'm thinking it would be nice to put a solid/accurate vice with x/y adjustment and have another vice with angle capability.
An X/Y T-Slotted mill table would be nice! Gotta dream, but probable out of my price range.
I have an inexpensive HF vice with x/y adjustment but it has too much slack in it.
I'm thinking this drill press will be used for my metal work fabrication.
An accurate vice would help with centering on old rusted broken bolts for removal.
I'm wondering if I may need to change one of the top stepped pulley's to slow it down for metal work.
I'm also undecided if I will replace the bearings. I see the one on top of the pulley is possible NLA.
There really only seemed to be a tiny bit of side play in the column/quill. But I want to put it back in after I've cleaned all the rust off and see what it really feels like. I'll check it with my dial indicator. How many thousands of side play and run-out is a good tight possibility on this drill press?
Does anyone just pop the seals out of good bearing's to clean and regrease them?
I would like to learn more about adding a VFD like someone showed in this picture.
I'm familiar with the large 3 phase industrial VFD's we had around the power plants, but not small single phase ones.
I appreciate any comments and suggestions. Always something new to learn on a project like this.
