Show us your cool, "old" drill press

[BMR24]

Thanks for all the info, what are the dimensions for the slow/ regular speed pulley so I know which size cover to get?

Here is a photo of mine for refrence

 

[454ragtop]

That's the high speed pulley, but consider getting a low speed guard. That way if you decide you want to slow it down, it will work with the slow speed pulley.

 

[RyesWood]

I have finally built up my laser cross-hair system. It seems to run pretty well so far. I have a small switch on the control box to turn it on and off. The adjustment screws that I built around the laser housing work really well and making small adjustments is very easy. I think if I redesigned it, I might make the arm that holds the laser smaller and resign it so that the laser is not so easily bumped, I have knocked it a a couple of times in the past month and it takes a minute to reset it. Also I went to a bit of trouble to make the point where it attaches to the DP repeatable by placing dowel pins in some aluminium plates, this all seems a bit unnecessary as I don't ever need to remove the system anyway.
Otherwise pretty happy with the design, happy drilling

 

[RubiconJK]

Here is my late Dad's old Wizard drill press which was manufactured by Herbert's Machinery Co in Los Angeles. It was sold by Central Hardware in St Louis, MO as shown in one of the decals pictured. A few years ago after my Dad passed, I got it and cleaned it up and built a stand for it in my shop. It is used regularly. Dad would have bought this sometime in the late 30's or 40's most likely.

 

[Outlawmws]

RW, Cool cross hair system!

Rubi, That wizard is cool! I don't believe I've seen that brand before!

 

[scrapdaddy]

Rubicon,

Brought back some memories, I think I grew up in Central Hardware. My Dad loved that place, as did I until they closed. Did your Dad buy it new from there? My Dad bought my brother and I each a Craftsmen drill press and when we had to sell his house, I gave his drill press to my son, all cool stuff!

 

[RubiconJK]

Rubicon,

Brought back some memories, I think I grew up in Central Hardware. My Dad loved that place, as did I until they closed. Did your Dad buy it new from there? My Dad bought my brother and I each a Craftsmen drill press and when we had to sell his house, I gave his drill press to my son, all cool stuff!

Its funny how the name of certain places of business bring back those old memories! My parents and other relatives lived in St Louis before and during WWII and bought it then. I have had it since Dad passed a few years ago and will pass it down to one of my sons one of these days. One of my boys would already like to have it for his work, but I still use it!!

 

[jabberwoki]

Need more and clearer pixs of that wizard pls.

 

[RubiconJK]

Need more and clearer pixs of that wizard pls.

I'll admit to not being the greatest photographer, but will try sometime later today. Is there something specific you'd like to see or an area you'd like me to focus on?

 

[Thrumcap]

Here’s an old Canadian Blower and Forge No. 15 drill press from around 1943. It has the original Department of Munitions and Supply brass tag on the side. Restored by my father, it was found in a basement at an estate sale. Unfortunately we didn’t take any before pictures. It had some light rust and needed the guts stripped and cleaned and new bearings installed. Blue was chosen as the colour, and new nylon handles will eventually be 3D printed. A spare quarter horse motor was installed while the original 1/3 hp motor has a short tracked down. The base is actually a much larger model General model, likely a later add-on.


Thrumcap

 

[dutchgray]

Picked this one up today, I already have a floor drill so this bench one is going in my brothers workshop.
View media item 81623Qualters & Smith 1/2" capacity, 15 1/2" Drill, 4 speeds, slowest 500 rpm, has a non original 1hp 240 single phase motor that needs a start switch fitting and its missing one knob. Not bad for £68.
Standard model weighs 190lb but that motor adds to that.

 

[Speedster29]

I restored my Dad's Delta/Milwaukee DP220 (Circa 1945) Drill Press. I inherited it in 1982 and finally got around to fixing it up. Replaced the bearings cleaned it up and repainted. Thanks to this forum for all the resources! (Bearings, knurled nuts, and new logo for the head.

Reading the last sentence made me laugh!

 

[Housebroke]

Here's one I just restored, a benchstar 14.

 

[Housebroke]

I'm new here

 

[Housebroke]

Any comments of this type of machine would be helpful..

 

[bubinga]

I'm new here

Any comments of this type of machine would be helpful..

The after picture is beautiful!
I never have seen a drill press with a rack adjustment to raise the head up & down..
that's really sweet looking.

 

[dwall174]

The after picture is beautiful!
I never have seen a drill press with a rack adjustment to raise the head up & down.

That was an option on the older 17" Deltas. Back on post 1952 I have some pic's of my modified 17" Delta bench model.

Doug

 

[bubinga]

That was an option on the older 17" Deltas. Back on post 1952 I have some pic's of my modified 17" Delta bench model.

Doug

0k thanks, looks good too.
Never saw those before.


Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[Housebroke]

Hello Doug, I just up graded this machine with a power lift.
This machine is a benchstar 14.

 

[Housebroke]

Here's it's plate.

 

[dwall174]

I just up graded this machine with a power lift.

Nice addition to the drill press!

This machine is a benchstar 14.

I haven't heard of the Benchstar brand before.

Doug

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm guessing this is an earlier Taiwanese drill mill? I'm not familiar with the brand either, but it has all the earmarks.

 

[exmaxima1]

It says Taiwan on the label. I suspect it will be a decent machine.

 

[REDRYDER63]

Found this drill press
I really dont know anything about it yet but thought it was worth 150.00
it works though.
What do you guys think?

 

[trijeff]

Dont know many specifics either but feel fairly safe in saying YOU ****! Looks like an amazing deal.

 

[Craptain]

Definitely fits cool old drill press.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[dwall174]

I never have seen a drill press with a rack adjustment to raise the head up & down.

Delta also made a spring head counterbalance assembly for the 14" DP-220 models.
Here's a few pic's of one I rebuilt several years ago, I ended up selling it & now wish I would have kept it.

Last pic is the spring assembly disassembled!
There's a lot of tension on that spring when installed, So caution is advised when disassembling one!

Here's some INFORMATION from Vintage Machinery on how to safely remove & install the system.

Doug

 

[dwall174]

but thought it was worth 150.00

Yeah awesome deal there!

There's probably at least 3X the $150 price just in chucks!

Doug

 

[454ragtop]

Delta also made a spring head counterbalance assembly for the 14" DP-220 models.
Here's a few pic's of one I rebuilt several years ago, I ended up selling it & now wish I would have kept it.

Last pic is the spring assembly disassembled!
There's a lot of tension on that spring when installed, So caution is advised when disassembling one!

Here's some INFORMATION from Vintage Machinery on how to safely remove & install the system.

Doug

I have one of those spring counterbalance setups if you're looking for one. Always thought it might be adapted to counterbalance a table instead.

That Allen drill press is a nice one. The sliding head eliminates 99% of table raising and lowering, and no way to get an arc of shame. Have a very similar Buffalo DP, love it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Found this drill press
I really dont know anything about it yet but thought it was worth 150.00
it works though.
What do you guys think?

I think you ****!

 

[bubinga]

Hello Doug, I just up graded this machine with a power lift.
This machine is a benchstar 14.

Nice.
Did you Make the "Mod" or is a factory part?

 

[bubinga]

Delta also made a spring head counterbalance assembly for the 14" DP-220 models.
Here's a few pic's of one I rebuilt several years ago, I ended up selling it & now wish I would have kept it.

Last pic is the spring assembly disassembled!
There's a lot of tension on that spring when installed, So caution is advised when disassembling one!

Here's some INFORMATION from Vintage Machinery on how to safely remove & install the system.
Doug

You did a very nice job dwall174.
I love the different colors, the contrast. Especially the Gold on the head.

Yes, but make sure it says Delta Milwaukee and not Delta Rockwell. The Delta-Rockwell era started in 1948, although they continued to use the Delta Milwaukee badge until they ran out. The first image is a 1944 and the second is a 1948. Both badges are the same.

You also want to make sure that your pulley cover is sized for your spindle pulley. If you have the slow speed version, it will have the larger pulley cover.

Regarding the rack and pinion, unless you have a production table the table it comes with is a pretty light weight unless you have a cross-slide vise sitting on it. I do like the table raising mechanism on my 17" Delta DP though.

Brad

Brad, You Did A nice Job Too!

 

[bubinga]

That's the high speed pulley, but consider getting a low speed guard. That way if you decide you want to slow it down, it will work with the slow speed pulley.

that's a good idea ragtop.

 

[cvairwerks]

Found this drill press
I really dont know anything about it yet but thought it was worth 150.00
it works though.
What do you guys think?

You don’t have this home yet?????? You will never wear it out and can pass it down generations.

 

[Housebroke]

Hello Doug
I made the mods, and just presently made a cast iron spindle adapter for mill ends.

 

[Maui]

I picked up this Powermatic 1200 drill press with the optional power down feed this past weekend. It is a beast of a machine and works well. Loading it into my enclosed trailer was a little more involved than anticipated since it weighs in the neighborhood of 1000 lbs. It set me back $350 which I thought was more than fair considering it is in excellent condition.

Maui

 

[REDRYDER63]

Yes its home couldn't pass it up. It sure was heavy set it down on the tail gate of my
pickup and just about lost it. I would estimate the weight of at least 1000 lbs.

 

[454ragtop]

Hello Doug
I made the mods, and just presently made a cast iron spindle adapter for mill ends.

Milling on a drill press is generally not recommended, the spindle isn't set up for side loading. Looking at your earlier pics, it says "MT2" on the speed label. Probably has a #2 Morse taper, extend the quill and see if there is an oval shaped slot in the quill. If there is, you can use a wedge to knock the arbor and chuck out, and get a MT2 endmill holder if you're dead set on milling with your drill press. Is that a window motor to raise the head? Will be surprised if it holds up, the head must weigh more than most windows. Might consider adding a spring of some sort to counterbalance some of the weight.

 

[crguy]

Listen to what 454ragtop said: Drill presses are Not milling machines. It has been tried by a number of folks before. There are all sorts of things to consider, and that will go wrong.
Even if you get a MT2 end mill holder, you have no way to hold it in the taper. Side pressure from milling will work it loose and it Will fall out.
That drill press spindle won't run true enough for milling anyway.

 

[dwall174]

Listen to what 454ragtop said: Drill presses are Not milling machines.

It has been tried by a number of folks before.

That would include me!

My drill chuck is threaded on using a custom made spindle/arbor.
In THIS POST I show how I used my drill press as a mill.

Clearly not the correct method, But in my case it worked ok as long as I made light/thin cuts.

Doug