Show us your cool, "old" drill press

[BradnCali]

I think I might try shining up the tables like you mentioned but the bottom base was painted in the same color as the press so I was up in the air about removing it

The drill press looks good! I rebuilt that same drill press using just a clear coat over the original paint, also leaving the paint on top of the base. The paint on mine looked exactly like yours before the clear coat. Also, consider using Johnson's furniture wax for the column and table. It keeps the surfaces shiny, rust free and the table glides easily on the column.

Brad

 

[tool_scrounge]

Rockwell Delta 11-100 drill press. The exposed metal was rusty when I got it but the paint was almost all intact. To preserve the paint, I treated the exposed metal parts to a 10:1 water/molasses followed by scotch bright + water and then scotch bright + WD40 to clean off the residual black oxide. I do dry it between the water and wd-40 steps. The tops of the tables were particularly rusty, so I needed to leave it the the molasses bath extra long.
On cast iron this sometimes results in a rust free but slightly darker finish, as in this case.

With a 1725 motor, the minimum speed i 700 rpm. I opted for a 1140rpm 1/6 HP motor which lowered the speed down to 470 rpm, which seems reasonable for metal. Note that this is not a heavy duty drill press and I expect it to mostly be used for countersinking.

One reason why this 50's vintage drill press had seen such light use was that the drill press spindle was very tight inside the main casting. The return spring could not pull the quill up regardless of the preload setting. I contemplated stripping and honing the casting with a brake home, but I was worried I would get the fit just right. I ended up going with a heavy duty wave (spring) washer and inserted that in the vertical cutout where the quill clamp screw is located. Now with the quill clamp is loose, it pushed the casting apart and the quill move easily. I calculate it at about 20 lbs of force at the current compression.

 

[Johnny7903]

I picked up this Atlas 15" drill press today. Fair shape but spindle runs true. Model tag is 1485 and serial 003298. Can't find much info on it so far. It didn't have a chuck so I picked up one on the way home.

Any pointers to some background on this machine would be appreciated.

Update:
Model 1485 - Drill Head
Production Oil table
Motor 2720 - 1/2 hp
Drill Press Lamp
Vernier Drill Stop
Hi-Lo Speed Attachment (believe it's stock)
Two small shelves were added at some point. Work good for holding random bits and chuck key.

Not sure if the base is Atlas or something else. Given the model number shows it was just a drill head, could have been pieced together.

 

[cosmo52]

Found a Delta radial drill press on Kijiji. Needed a new switch and buffed off some light rust on the columns with steel wool. Mounted it on an extra engine stand that I had.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Picked Up this today with an old Gerstner machinist box full of stuff. Going through that still, found a few cool items Starrett micrometer, Brown and Sharp square, micro hammers etc. It also has a 1.5 inch Palmgren drill press vise.

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[schor]

I picked this up, not sure yet if I will use it, but I will clean it up.

 

[Redboy]

I picked this up, not sure yet if I will use it, but I will clean it up.

Man, I am jealous... That thing is all kinds of awesome! Bring it down to MN, wouldja?

 

[tombell572]

Schor--that's a great little drill. So many of those have been modified by replacing the flat belt and pulleys with a V-belt setup. Unusual to find one that is relatively unmolested.

Tom B.

 

[Davefr]

I've always liked the 17" Delta Machinist DP's and finally found one. (they're extremely scarce here). It was ugly and dirty but looks to have had an easy life with no signs of damage or abuse.

The serial number suggest this DP was made in 1946. It originally came with foot feed and table elevation but some parts were missing. I got very lucky and was able to get the missing table elevation parts from Ebay but they weren't cheap. Some day I'd like the find the rest of the foot feed (ie pedal and linkage) but I can't image it's all that useful.

The entire DP was disassembled, paint stripped, cleaned, painted, etc. I made a tool to remove the lower spindle bearing assembly retainer but decided to leave the bearings alone. (they're smooth, no noise and runout at the chuck is about .002"). I might order some replacement bearings just to have them if ever needed.

The motor was 1.5 HP 3 phase and I decided to VFD it using a Teco L510. (I posted the VFD details at the "show your VFD" thread)

Here's some before and after images:

 

[schor]

A little vid of the flat belt press.

 

[81Bronk36]

My 1947?53 Delta homecraft s/n is only "n", newer then 47 tag and Milwaukee address puts it older then 53. Love it it runs great

 

[larry_g]

I picked this up, not sure yet if I will use it, but I will clean it up.

In your vid you ask whatthat extra peg was. I believe that was the belt shifter. I googled https://www.google.com/search?q=mac...tsJX1M:;jADY-a7scDiLLM:&imgrc=XSyCtD-PtsJX1M:

And found a picture of it but cannot seem to be able to link the picture. It is on a blade smith forum http://www.bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?showtopic=23734 but the pictures do not show up in the post. Maybe you have some better skills to get them to show, or belong to that forum.

on edit

lg
no neat sig line

 

[schor]

In your vid you ask whatthat extra peg was. I believe that was the belt shifter. I googled https://www.google.com/search?q=mac...tsJX1M:;jADY-a7scDiLLM:&imgrc=XSyCtD-PtsJX1M:

And found a picture of it but cannot seem to be able to link the picture. It is on a blade smith forum http://www.bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?showtopic=23734 but the pictures do not show up in the post. Maybe you have some better skills to get them to show, or belong to that forum.

on edit

lg
no neat sig line

Thanks for that Larry.

 

[vintage nut]

I'll have to get a picture of my old Canadian blower and forge 15" production drill press tomorrow. Was an 18th birthday present from my dad, and I restored the whole thing. Most accurate drill press I've ever seen. Less run-out than our mill, a tenths reading dial indicator (mittutoyo not a cheapie) won't even quiver the needle.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[jabberwoki]

Davefr

Wow mate just wow. Fantastic job.

 

[larryq]

I've always liked the 17" Delta Machinist DP's and finally found one. (they're extremely scarce here). It was ugly and dirty but looks to have had an easy life with no signs of damage or abuse.

Holy smokes Dave, what an outstanding job. Well done sir...makes me want to start tearing down my old Craftsman / Atlas and clean it up and repaint. I'd want to put new bearings in, along with a 3/4 HP motor I have, but am afraid that if I take the DP apart I'll never figure out how to put it back together...sigh.

I have to start following that VFR thread, because to my very uneducated eye the conversion process involves getting one of those converters, mounting it onto a plate close by, running some wires in and voila, 3 phase to 1 via magic mojo.

 

[Davefr]

^^Thanks guys!!!

 

[Jdc3735]

I got this vintage Buffalo drill press a few years ago for free. A lady had it, it was her exhusband's and she couldn't find a buyer. All I had to do was pick it up. It weighs a ton!

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

I am 97% complete on the restoration of the 14-000 Delta Rockwell, I am not to good at documenting my work because I am not sure what the hell I am doing most of the time. Here are a few pics of the process, need to get a few small pieces of hardware and a tad longer belt and she will be good to go. .

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[Davefr]

I am 97% complete on the restoration of the 14-000 Delta Rockwell, I am not to good at documenting my work because I am not sure what the hell I am doing most of the time. Here are a few pics of the process, need to get a few small pieces of hardware and a tad longer belt and she will be good to go.

Looks great!! I love your column polishing "lathe".

 

[Ridjobradi]

Crotalus - That is a good looking drill restoration.

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[jabberwoki]

Looks great!! I love your column polishing "lathe".

Yeah I was thinking the same thing.

 

[the gypsy]

I also like his solution for a lathe. I was thinking of spinning my column to polish but didn't start the project yet, so I didn't put much thought into it. But now I will use your solution, if you don't mind

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

All Thanks for the compliments it was a fun project. Gypsy please use the drill motor lathe idea I copied Txinaz he used two casters bolted to a board to support the column. I didn't have casters so I used a 3 inch pvc pipe coupling worked fine.

 

[gtabasso]

The company I work for gets used manufacturing and industrial surplus, often from manufacturers going out of business or upgrading. We get some oldies and goodied in here!!!!

 

[larry_g]

I grabbed this off of the CL last week. Buffalo 20 1/2. More pictures on my build thread below. It was running when I got it and in fairly good condition. It is missing the table lift mechanism so if you have one you could part with let me know.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[schor]

I grabbed this off of the CL last week. Buffalo 20 1/2. More pictures on my build thread below. It was running when I got it and in fairly good condition. It is missing the table lift mechanism so if you have one you could part with let me know.

lg
no neat sig line

Nice press.

 

[smalltown]

Hey guys after reading another post about an old Drill Press it got me wondering about a Buffalo Drill press that I had seen locally. I am not sure of the model number, but after looking at all the posts in this thread, and anything else I could find I am thinking it's a Buffalo model 15. I did see some that posters called model 15, but they did not have the Buffalo name molded into the top pulley cover casting.

I have a few questions such as are these types of drill presses really practical in a home owner garage, or are they more for an antique collector to admire.
Or should I be looking for something of a more recent vintage ? I guessing this one is from the 1940's ?

Should I be concerned that the drive pulleys are somewhat exposed.
I don't see any power switch, and have noticed in many recent photos that users have apparently added their own power on/off switch. I'm not sure if this is a 120 Volts AC or 240 Volt saw as I haven't seen the motor plate if it has one. I'm also thinking this must take about 24" of space out from the garage wall.

 

[Outlawmws]

the 24" will be required even with a modern DP

As to the belts being exposed. Yeah OSHA would red tag that in a work environment in a NY minute.

You have to decide if it is a real concern for home use.

Usable? Absolutely. for what is the question. How many speeds? generally a 4 or 5 speed is best for woodworking and soft metals or really small holes as it wont spin slow enough for larger drills in harder steels...

 

[Rick M]

Most machinery hasn't changed appreciably since the 30's or 40's, some has been the same since long before that. The trick with those exposed pulleys is don't stick your fingers or anything else in there and you'll be fine.

 

[tombell572]

I've said before here that Buffalo built a well-made solid d/p. Age alone is not a discouraging factor but wear and abuse can be and both of those can be present on newer, more poorly made machines. That machine is as practical and better made than any machine produced today.

While OSHA would have a problem with exposed belts in a commercial environment as Outlaw noted, keep a watchful eye on children in your shop and always respect the machinery and its inherent dangers. That machine has more guards in place than many in my shop--the few times I've hurt myself over the years had nothing to do with unguarded belts.

Looks like a good d/p.

Tom B.

 

[smalltown]

Thanks for input guys. I forgot to add in my original post that I am in awe of what posters have done on restoring drill presses. Hats off!!!

 

[schor]

Hey guys after reading another post about an old Drill Press it got me wondering about a Buffalo Drill press that I had seen locally. I am not sure of the model number, but after looking at all the posts in this thread, and anything else I could find I am thinking it's a Buffalo model 15. I did see some that posters called model 15, but they did not have the Buffalo name molded into the top pulley cover casting.

I have a few questions such as are these types of drill presses really practical in a home owner garage, or are they more for an antique collector to admire.
Or should I be looking for something of a more recent vintage ? I guessing this one is from the 1940's ?

Should I be concerned that the drive pulleys are somewhat exposed.
I don't see any power switch, and have noticed in many recent photos that users have apparently added their own power on/off switch. I'm not sure if this is a 120 Volts AC or 240 Volt saw as I haven't seen the motor plate if it has one. I'm also thinking this must take about 24" of space out from the garage wall.

I would grab that press immediately, no arc of shame on the table, original 5 step pulley, buffalo 15" in what looks to be pristine condition. Looks to be from around the 40's.

 

[Outlawmws]

Small, the DP next to the Delta may be the Craftsman 8 speed with a wimpy looking belt that couldn't possibly last, right? Wrong. IF (I say IF) it is the 8 speed, and if it is also for sale, that is a decent DP and one of the last of the US built Craftsman DP's. Despite the wimpy looking belt, the belt lasts decades and the DP is a good one. that one also has a production type table - A plus.

Bottom line is either DP would be a good pick, if they fit your drilling speed requirements.

if you DO need slower speeds there are several options to get there, (Treadmill variable speed motor, a VFD, or an intermediate pulley, added to it.)

 

[Outlawmws]

I would grab that press immediately, no arc of shame on the table, original 5 step pulley, buffalo 15" in what looks to be pristine condition. Looks to be from around the 40's.

I'm not so sure about the arc of shame. There appears to be some discoloration in an arc shape if you look close? Its the right shade for a JB Weld repair...

Something to look at before buying... at the least buy aware of the repair, if it is repaired...

 

[Outlawmws]

Enhansed a bit:

 

[smalltown]

He is selling both DP's. Is an arc of shame a place where it was welded and discolored ?

Yes the Craftsman is supposed to be 8 speed.

 

[Outlawmws]

An arc of shame is where some maroon clamped something to the table and drilled, and biit into the table... done enough times, you get a series of holes in the table in an arc. Hence the name.

 

[Inky Ford]

Picked up this drill press on Friday and spent a few hours cleaning it up this weekend. I am a fan of original paint so I soaked the casting in EvapoRust to clean it up.

 

[Ridjobradi]

Inky Ford - that is the original paint after using Evaporust? That looks great.

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