Rockwell benchtop Drill Press any good?

[CNGsaves]

Any one have this Rockwell benchtop Drill Press that's called "CompactTool" that has 3 speeds by changing belts?

Is it any good? Worth $50?

Any idea of how old this thing it?

 

[nine4gmc]

I don't think I would mess with that one, looks too small.

 

[larry_g]

For $50 I would buy it just for its 'cool' factor. Rockwell is a good brand but I admit that I have not seen one like that. If you pass let us know where it is at please.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[zkling]

Rockwell / Delta make a lot of good drill presses. That is not one of them... in my opinion. I would pass.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Hmm.. Looks cool. Probably goes pretty fast so wood use only (or small drills in metal). But it is petty small and parts would be really hard to find. Unless you needed it TODAY I would hold out for a larger one.

 

[Outlawmws]

As was said, wood only if that is your thing, and if the throat depth (Center of the chuck to the near edge of the post) is adequate, then it may be a fit. condition is everything so if you decide its good for your use, size wise,make sure the quill and spindle are not worn.

I'd hammer the seller on price though, it is pretty much an orphan...

 

[57JoeFoMoPar]

I'd pass on that.

 

[WWIIjeep]

Any idea of how old this thing it?

Can't quite make out the serial number in the first photo, but judging by the rest of the nameplate, it's from somewhere between the late-1960s and 1974.

The Compactool line was intended to replace some of the older Homecraft tools for homeowner use. In addition to the Compactool drill press, Rockwell offered a Compactool table saw and a Compactool jointer. The drill press was the best of the three, not that it was particularly good, just that it wasn't as bad as the table saw and jointer.

If it's in good running condition, it would be better than one of the crappy little imports made in the past 20-30 years, but don't expect it to perform like a full-sized (15" or larger) American-made drill press of similar vintage.