Craptain
Well-known member
The table is similar to what I did on a recently sold Craftsman dp.
Show us your cool, "old" drill press
- Thread starter rickairmedic
- Start date
Yes, it’s held in place by strong magnets and the center section is replaceable if it damaged
Looks just like it!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I made a smaller version of that for drilling anything - its great with a stop for "Same hole same place" or without a stop for a series of holes exactly same space from the edge.
Mine can clamp to a DP vise or be clamped to the table
Mine can clamp to a DP vise or be clamped to the table
One of my favorite DP’s, a 1937 Craftsman 12 3/4”. It came with the K-C motor. I replaced the Craftsman feed handle hub with an Atlas one. The Dunlap water slide under the green paint puzzled me but it was original so I included it in the restoration.
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Beerhippie
Well-known member
Hmmm... Dunlap was Sears' motor brand back then... I wonder if the original owner wanted to advertise that he'd bought one?
I think Craftsman sold them without motors back then, but maybe not and that's to show what the original was?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
This is exactly right, mostly without IMO, some had options for with.
it was later Sears got serious about pushing Craftsman. Pre-war, they had a hard time cataloging the different brands between Craftsman Dunlap and Companion, and some were double branded.
I have a 1936 "Craftsman" 7" tilting-table, table saw by the catalogs, and its marked Companion...
I also have that same Atlas/Craftsman DP and its marled Craftsman in all places.
M.Brane
ALLIANCE MEMBER
1938 Craftsman by Atlas. Belonged to my grampa. Still works, and is pretty tight. The start cap is kinda sketchy. Restore is on the list.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Nice! and with the 3rd pulley and aluminum quill cover!
My quill cover was missing so, I 3d printed one. Also you can see in the picture the drive nail holes are there for the Craftsman badge
That is an awesome pulley, they are hard to find for smaller machines.
Picked this one up from an 86yr old man who said it was his father’s. His wife was having him downsize 
. It’s a from what I can tell from the belt guard and the non-splined quill shaft an early Companion 11 3/4”.
I want to try to date it but, there is no tag nor holes for a tag. Another concern is the depth gauge mount, it kinda looks home made and kinda not. I can’t find pictures of one with the same setup, others have a lock collar on the quill shaft. Maybe you guys can help me identify this one, thanks.
. It’s a from what I can tell from the belt guard and the non-splined quill shaft an early Companion 11 3/4”.I want to try to date it but, there is no tag nor holes for a tag. Another concern is the depth gauge mount, it kinda looks home made and kinda not. I can’t find pictures of one with the same setup, others have a lock collar on the quill shaft. Maybe you guys can help me identify this one, thanks.
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M.Brane
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think that predates my '38 as it has the smooth vs splined quill. At least it's close.
After some more cleaning, and better securing the start cap I've decided to just get some new belts, and run mine for now. I'll think about a restore after I retire in a couple years. 200 RPM will be nice for metal which is my primary use.
After some more cleaning, and better securing the start cap I've decided to just get some new belts, and run mine for now. I'll think about a restore after I retire in a couple years. 200 RPM will be nice for metal which is my primary use.
TheOlderTheBetter
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Hello everyone!
Being my first post in The Garage Journal, I wanted to share pictures of my first Craftsman Drill Press restoration and conversion from a bench top to a floor standing model. The column itself is from an unknown manufacturer.
I must give Kudos to my brother who assistance and guidance made this successful restoration possible!
Through a bit of research, I have dated this drill press between 1939 and 1942.
Being my first post in The Garage Journal, I wanted to share pictures of my first Craftsman Drill Press restoration and conversion from a bench top to a floor standing model. The column itself is from an unknown manufacturer.
I must give Kudos to my brother who assistance and guidance made this successful restoration possible!
Through a bit of research, I have dated this drill press between 1939 and 1942.
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TheOlderTheBetter
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While I'm at it, this is my second restoration; replaces an old Dunlap that I grew up with in my father's workroom.
Once again, Kudos to my brother who guided me through this restoration!
Our fathers' drill press had a 41" long column; remember he had it reverse mounted to the joists in our basement. Be on the taller side, I wanted this new Craftsman Drill Press to have a longer column as well. Not realizing, my brother suggested looking out for a Craftsman lathe which had the same diameter column; although you cannot see it in the restored photo, the column has small holes along it where the spline of the lathe once was. Rather than cutting the lathe column to 41", I decided since it wasn't in the way, I'd use the entire 48" length.
Once again, Kudos to my brother who guided me through this restoration!
Our fathers' drill press had a 41" long column; remember he had it reverse mounted to the joists in our basement. Be on the taller side, I wanted this new Craftsman Drill Press to have a longer column as well. Not realizing, my brother suggested looking out for a Craftsman lathe which had the same diameter column; although you cannot see it in the restored photo, the column has small holes along it where the spline of the lathe once was. Rather than cutting the lathe column to 41", I decided since it wasn't in the way, I'd use the entire 48" length.
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TheOlderTheBetter
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And ... this Craftsman Model 103.0303 Mohawk Drill Press was just restored for a future home in my son's first workshop!
Not too bad for a drill press that's 82/83 years old!
And again, I couldn't have achieved this beautiful restoration without my brother's help. He walked me through so many of the steps along the entire process; fortunately did a few extra things for me as well!
Not too bad for a drill press that's 82/83 years old!
And again, I couldn't have achieved this beautiful restoration without my brother's help. He walked me through so many of the steps along the entire process; fortunately did a few extra things for me as well!
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I missed out on a $50 Craftsman 150 floor-model drill press on FBMP on Saturday. Looked complete, definitely dirty and had patina, but the seller claimed it ran well.
Was gone within a few hours. Not surprising, they're NEVER that cheap around here.
Was gone within a few hours. Not surprising, they're NEVER that cheap around here.
Mike'smeatshop
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Welcome. And very cool and very good work.
TheOlderTheBetter
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Would anyone happen to have an extra depth gauge nut sitting around?
While cleaning one on a wire wheel for the Craftsman Mohawk Drill Press that I restored, it went flying and after looking everywhere, I cannot find it.
While cleaning one on a wire wheel for the Craftsman Mohawk Drill Press that I restored, it went flying and after looking everywhere, I cannot find it.
TheOlderTheBetter
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Thank you very much; was a great pleasure working on this as a complete surprise for my son.Welcome. And very cool and very good work.
Although I'd never seen one before my brother pointed it out to me, I drove a fair distance to pick it up. Lately, I have been seeing a few more come up throughout the country on Facebook Marketplace. I now have it in mind to pick up another drill press to restore for my older son; just not sure what make or model until it hits me!
Somewhere in one of the posts in this forum there was mention of a website for nationwide drill press search, but when I tried to connect, it did not ring true.
Would you happen to know of that website?
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Let me look--I just heard something go tick over in the corner of the shop....
NICE!!!
,,,The gray on the King-Seeley is beautiful, what’s the color name?
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Sub Dude
Well-known member
I just finished a "respectful" rebuild on this early 1940's Cman 12" bench top Drill press.
I pretty much tore it apart and found that the quill bearings were shot. Replaced those and now its smooth.
It came with a bit in the chuck but no key. After getting the proper key and getting the bit out I found that the chuck was jammed up in spots. Disassembly/cleaning and deburring got that sorted.
I took the motor apart and cleaned everything and repacked the bearings. Installed a new switch and plug and coverted to a grounded system.
It came without a belt and I found a 41" that works but seems a little long. I have around 1 3/4" space on the motor mount rod between the upper housing and the motor mount base.
What is the correct belt length for this saw?
A big thank you to Frank Lee who helped out with a few questions I had.
Sub
I pretty much tore it apart and found that the quill bearings were shot. Replaced those and now its smooth.
It came with a bit in the chuck but no key. After getting the proper key and getting the bit out I found that the chuck was jammed up in spots. Disassembly/cleaning and deburring got that sorted.
I took the motor apart and cleaned everything and repacked the bearings. Installed a new switch and plug and coverted to a grounded system.
It came without a belt and I found a 41" that works but seems a little long. I have around 1 3/4" space on the motor mount rod between the upper housing and the motor mount base.
What is the correct belt length for this saw?
A big thank you to Frank Lee who helped out with a few questions I had.
Sub
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Nice Job! You are dead in the middle of the adjusting bars; I'd call it good unless its rear heavy for tipping?
Sub Dude
Well-known member
Thanks. My nature these things are a little tippy. I don't feel compelled to change the belt at this point. The one I have on it seems OK.
Sub
Beerhippie
Well-known member
That's why they have bolt holes in the feet.
Sub Dude
Well-known member
And that's why I bolted it down to work on it.
Mike'smeatshop
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Sorry. It's been 20 years since I rebuilt an old drill press. Someone will come along and speak up.
Ultradog MN
Well-known member
My 801-C Electro-Mechano.
Swings 22"
100-2800 rpm
I don't use it much - mostly just leave a countersink in it and use it like a second op machine.
Reminds me of The Jetsons if you remember them
Should get rid of it but I have the room and I guess, just fond of the old thing.
Swings 22"
100-2800 rpm
I don't use it much - mostly just leave a countersink in it and use it like a second op machine.
Reminds me of The Jetsons if you remember them
Should get rid of it but I have the room and I guess, just fond of the old thing.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
I have it's baby brother - A tiny 0-10,000 RPM DP - the motor shaft is the Quill /drive for the chuck direct, and the speed control in built inot the motor case itself. the whole motor goes up and down...
Is that motor also direct control variable speed?
garagesapien
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very nice!!
ItsCraftsmanTime
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Just picked up this 103.0303 press! Excited to do some restoration work on it, but looking to keep it minimal so as to retain originality. That being said, I need some help finding parts. Currently, I am missing the "mohawk" cover, a quill spring (broken) and the feed down handle. I could probably make a new handle and buy a replacement spring (I'll have to get a micrometer unless someone knows what to order offhand), but the cover is something I cannot find anywhere! Somebody point me in the right direction!
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Beerhippie
Well-known member
For the spring, measure the length and width. There are tons of replacements out there--I got mine from the Jungle, but had to do some WAGing as the original was entirely missing. You can probably even find one based on the model # of your DP.
Down feed handles? Want stock? Good luck. Aftermarket good enough? Measure the shaft diameter. Again, tons of options.
ItsCraftsmanTime
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Aftermarket is totally fine for me. I even considered making something like this 3 spoke handle for it. I think it fits the aesthetic (not too crazy about the stock handle honestly). The top pulley cover is something I really want to find OEM if possible, but I'm not opposed to aftermarket options there either. Problem is, I can't find anything for that at all. I at least know that springs are easy to get, so therein lies some hope.
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Beerhippie
Well-known member
Personally, I'll take the utility of a three-legged handle over the stock two-legged anytime. I was able to find and modify one pretty easily and cheaply to fit my Darra James, which does not play well with others.
ItsCraftsmanTime
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I'm going to make something. I have some ideas. I think I may redo the paint as well later down the road. I love the silver and red, so I'll probably just redo it and paint the handle to match whenever I make it. I have a 113 series table saw that I plan on possibly repainting to match as well. As for the pulley cover, is there anybody out there that would be able to recreate one since stock just isn't a thing? Also, I've never heard of Darra James. I'm assuming that's an old school manufacturer? I do not know much about vintage power tools. I'm new to this and learning as I go.
Sometimes it’s easier and cheaper to find and buy a donor machine and transplant the parts you need. They only produced those for a few years so the cover alone could be way more expensive than a non-working or non-wanted machine. Make one good machine from the two. “Sometimes”
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ItsCraftsmanTime
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I've been trying that as well. So far, I've only found 2 and they were on Ebay. Only one has the parts I need and unfortunately, the seller doesn't want to part it out. It's priced crazy high at I think $600, which I'm obviously not going to do, so that's a no go. The other one was over $200, but no cover. I'll keep looking though. If anybody finds any donor units out there, please let me know!