Show us your cool, "old" drill press

[Lynden]

Does any one happen to know if the stand is original to the press ? I can't find any marks on it but it is very heavy duty !

One of the Homecraft tool catalogs on the Vintage Machinery website shows the stand as an accessory. The size is listed as 16-1/2" x 12-1/2" x 31-1/4" high. Your stand appears to be about the same size as the stand in this picture from Vintage Machinery.

http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=16792

 

[Smokeshow69]

One of the Homecraft tool catalogs on the Vintage Machinery website shows the stand as an accessory. The size is listed as 16-1/2" x 12-1/2" x 31-1/4" high. Your stand appears to be about the same size as the stand in this picture from Vintage Machinery.

http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=16792

Thanks for the info! I have no reason to believe the stand is not original and you just confirmed it !


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[exmaxima1]

Picked this up last weekend been super busy at my day job should take a few weeks to get this one cleaned up. It's a Famco 15 inch floor model let the clean up commence.

That's a cool looking drill press, and that column looks pretty hefty as well. It would look great with a custom paint job.

BTW, what kind of pedestal grinder is that in the background?

 

[JZiggy]

Picked this up last weekend been super busy at my day job should take a few weeks to get this one cleaned up. It's a Famco 15 inch floor model let the clean up commence.

Wow, that is an interesting configuration. Very cool!

 

[ndfan6464]

So here's my 1940's Craftsman that I restored. Completely torn down, cleaned and repainted. Fabricated a replica pulley cover and had the Craftsman water decal reproduced as well. I attached before and after photos.

 

[nine4gmc]

Major props on the belt cover, that DP came out FINE!

 

[Craptain]

Great job. I was just about to mention the missing handle but then saw it was there in the 1st pic. Did you make the trim piece on the front of the top guard? Or did you find one? Either way I like the lines of your belt guard better than mine.

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[ndfan6464]

Major props on the belt cover, that DP came out FINE!

Thanks brother!

 

[ndfan6464]

Great job. I was just about to mention the missing handle but then saw it was there in the 1st pic. Did you make the trim piece on the front of the top guard? Or did you find one? Either way I like the lines of your belt guard better than mine.

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Yes I had to reproduce the front trim as well. Mine did not come with a cover so with the help of people sending me pictures and measurements I was able to reproduce the cover even all 22 blocks on the front cover..lol..

Didn't have a return spring as well but fixed that issue as well. I used an Atlas return spring. The one in the picture. Works like a champ again

 

[trijeff]

Alright gents, have a choice to make here and looking for opinions. Can get a Cman 1950s floor model or Delta Homecraft bench model on nice stand. Pricing being equal, does either objectively outclass the other or does it come down to pure preference in this case? Is one easier to repair or get parts for than the other, and on the same token is one more prone to wear/damage/failure?

Thanks in advance, total noob when it comes to DPs, just know I desparately need one to replace my clamp-in-a-hand-drill POS.

Ended up getting something a little different, will post up when I get a chance but I may be "Vari-Slo" about it

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

That's a cool looking drill press, and that column looks pretty hefty as well. It would look great with a custom paint job.

BTW, what kind of pedestal grinder is that in the background?

The one on the bench is a Stanley that is giving me trouble getting one of the wheel washer off
The one on the pedestal is 1/2 hp Snap On blue point it is one of the smoothest grinders I have ever had.

 

[DrPepper88]

Completed this a while ago (2 years), so apologies for not posting it sooner. Did 2 more drill press restorations in the meantime, but no pics of those. Anyway, saw this 1963 Beaver/Rockwell for $60. Bought it, tore it apart, restored it, then gave it to my neighbor as a wedding gift.
Before photo, as it looked for sale online, then after pic. Thought I had pics of the disassembly, etc., but can't find them. Will post if I can find them.
Paint is International Red. Nice color. I have a floor model I'm eyeing, and if I do that, I'm going to powder coat it instead.

 

[trijeff]

Nice, real nice Pepper

 

[DrPepper88]

Thanks for the compliment! And a nod to several members here, like nine4gmc, who are wonderfully supportive.

 

[bubinga]

Thanks for the compliment! And a nod to several members here, like nine4gmc, who are wonderfully supportive.

im supportive too Drpepper!

EDIT, a, Oh yeah, nice job.

 

[bubinga]

So here's my 1940's Craftsman that I restored. Completely torn down, cleaned and repainted. Fabricated a replica pulley cover and had the Craftsman water decal reproduced as well. I attached before and after photos.

I'll say it again, that belt cover is Awesome.
Couldn't tell it's not OEM if you didn't tell us.

 

[bubinga]

Re: Show us your cool, "old" drill press

Just bolt one one.

In the 1950's, they recommended a 1/3 HP motor
In the 1970's, they recommended up to 1/2 HP motor

With a 1725 RPM motor, the slowest speed is 700 rpm, which is a bit high for larger metal bits.

But if you can find an 1140 rpm motor, it lowers the minimum speed to 460 rpm. Just make sure the motor is rated for vertical orientation (no oil ports is a hint).

Good advise,
But actually I used what is it a sleeve motor,
for a number of years on my 150, albeit, it didn't see a lot of use,
But it seemed to work fine.
I got a good price on it.
Like tool_scrounge;6475579 said, about an 1140 motor,
This actually has 2 tabs, depending what wire you hook to the positive (Hot) side) it was either 1725, 0r 1140.
I actually had a SPDT switch to go between the 2 speeds.

 

[Rileysan]

I don't own a cool "old" drill press. I bought a new Craftsman floor press ~20 years ago before CL and GJ. I feel left out!

Brian

 

[bubinga]

It's OEM. I have another drill press just like it that I'm planning to restore, though I won't be keeping it. It's a nice until, but I'm after a Craftsman 100 or 150

hope you find one.
I was reading electric meters , (was a pretty good job at one time, when you did it for the electric co, But they sub'ed contracted the job out, I worked for the sub) But one bonus, got to see a lot, and find a lot.
Found my 150 that way in downtown pittsburgh basement for $40.00.
Found my delta band saw in a back yard. (had to pay a little more for the B/S) But I was always finding stuff.
I found all these plywood doors, one time in a dumpster. Made good stock for shop jigs.
Bunch of stuff. Can't recall all of it. Found this cool old can, "never-Dull" lady let me have it.
Used to be able to hit a few yard sales , would have never saw otherwise.
Found some cool stuff.
150 has a tread mill motor on it now.

 

[bubinga]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
@ bczygan, That's sweet (camel Back)
There is a fellow local selling one, not complete, for $85.00.
In comparison, That's a good price.
well, good price either way.
You're going to cherry it out right?
Keep us Posted,
OH, good Job,
just wanted to show My support.

 

[baneonrt]

Found this in my father in law's garage. He says it still works. Any idea how to pinpoint when it was made?

 

[Outlawmws]

Found this in my father in law's garage. He says it still works. Any idea how to pinpoint when it was made?

It's an Atlas built DP and its 1941-42, prior to that it would carry the Companion label, and after that it was replaced.

 

[vintage nut]

Well I've got an interesting project coming up... A friend of mine works at the Navy Dockyard, and they have some spare rough casting sets for the final project for machinist students. An aluminum 12" drill press. Looks like I'll be getting one of those to finish, and the blueprints for the rest of the parts. Should be a fun project, and at least useful for running a countersink or something

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[mcmlvif100]

Found this on CL yesterday. Appears to be a 1955 DP225 and I bought it from the estate of the original owner. Original and unmolested, everything works great. Needs some cleaning as there is surface rust from sitting in his unfinished (damp) basement workshop. Picture is from the CL ad.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

I love the power switch on those Delta's.... may trade my CMan 150 if I find a nice one!

 

[454ragtop]

Well I've got an interesting project coming up... A friend of mine works at the Navy Dockyard, and they have some spare rough casting sets for the final project for machinist students. An aluminum 12" drill press. Looks like I'll be getting one of those to finish, and the blueprints for the rest of the parts. Should be a fun project, and at least useful for running a countersink or something

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Apparently they're quite valuable when completed https://capecod.craigslist.org/atq/6136836544.html

 

[vintage nut]

Apparently they're quite valuable when completed https://capecod.craigslist.org/atq/6136836544.html

The casting kit I'm getting is a bit less fancy

And I'd say that guy is incredibly optimistic.... Even taking a zero off would still be optimistic...

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[Outlawmws]

That Eprey listing is already down to 3K, and still no takers! What can people be thinking?

 

[vintage nut]

Having seen things made by students at the local Dockyard shops, I'd definitely want a close look at it before buying. Some student projects are very well made, some are bad to horiffic.

As for what I'd pay? $1-300, and only because it looks kinda cool. Last delta dp220 cost $20... My 16 inch beaver in immaculate original condition complete with the almost always lost belt guard was $90

Did I mention that dp220 came with a milk crate full of 3 complete delta morticing attachments?

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[nine4gmc]

Not all Deltas are created equal. This 15-017 I just finished is a lighter weight design than the Craftsman 150. Don't get me wrong, I have a Delta 15-665 and it's WAY more heavy duty than either of the other two and they are all 15" drill presses. Pics of refurbs of all of them in my projects thread.



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[baneonrt]

It's an Atlas built DP and its 1941-42, prior to that it would carry the Companion label, and after that it was replaced.

Thank you. I ended up taking it home. Restoring it is now somewhere on the long list of projects

Steve

 

[michael.kitko]

A few more pictures of shop made restoration and safety pieces, mostly WF and John Barnes and one miniature high camelback

I like your idea for that electric motor added to the Barnes. I have searched high and low for a good idea for mine.

Anyways, excuse the mess, we are currently building a new deck and shop at my house, but here are my three. I figured I would add some more bigger drill presses seen as how they are rather scarce on here.

Oh, got a question, does anyone else notice how many friends you get when you get a drill press to drill through metal or wood? I know I have...lol..."Hey Mike do you mind drilling something for me real quick?"

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[jabberwoki]

I kinda get the same thing but I think they secretly just want to watch my old beasty go to work, with the size ,the big belt and the sound it makes it`s quite an event.

 

[ndfan6464]

All right guys need your help. So got a email from a guy asking if I'd like to buy this. It's a Delta Homecraft. Never owned one don't know much about them. Wants $125 for press and stand. What can you tell me about this, worth getting and is the price fair?

 

[Outlawmws]

Homeowners DP - not industrial. On the small side. With a different hinged base; it, a small (8"?) table saw, and a 4" jointer all were combined on one stand. Sort of Delta's response to the Shop Smith.

I wouldn't pay that much for it.

 

[ndfan6464]

Homeowners DP - not industrial. On the small side. With a different hinged base; it, a small (8"?) table saw, and a 4" jointer all were combined on one stand. Sort of Delta's response to the Shop Smith.

I wouldn't pay that much for it.

Thanks for the information. I was wondering if that was the original base or not. When looking into this I was finding others with a very odd looking base. Makes sense now if it was attached to something else... This has 1/3 HP attached to it so yeah not industrial at all haha

 

[ndfan6464]

What year do you think this press is?

 

[Outlawmws]

That may very well be an original base, They needed the hinged one to make it compact to store in the combined unit.

At a guess, mid 50's early 60's They probably have it over on Vintage Machinery.

 

[ndfan6464]

That may very well be an original base, They needed the hinged one to make it compact to store in the combined unit.

At a guess, mid 50's early 60's They probably have it over on Vintage Machinery.

That was going to be my next stop when I had more time.. thanks outlaw. Always there with the answers

 

[nine4gmc]

That base was an option, it's the standard splayed foot base. I believe Outlaw was suggesting that the drill press also came with another optional base that held the Saw and Joiner as well.

The price isn't unrealistic but if you're patient you may find a much more capable machine for the same price range.


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