THE WALKER-TURNER THREAD - Post your Walker-Turner pics

[SCREAMINYELLOW]

Do WT drill presses and Craftsman DP have the same diameter posts?

This particular combination of drill presses both use 2-3/4” columns. I requested a photo of the column bore with a tape measure from the seller of the Craftsman DP table to be on the safe side.

This may vary on which Craftsman DP model the table is from.

 

[SCREAMINYELLOW]

(moved post to dedicated thread here)

 

[SCREAMINYELLOW]

Moved to a separate thread so I’m not hijacking this one with updates. Will post results here!

 

[Hoorn]

In my area of SoCal, a seller is offering this extremely early 1930s Walker Turner drill press for sale. Thought I'd highlight it here as you don't run across these very often.









Note this is a Sears branded motor, "Commander". It's referenced as a "Burnt Orange Band" type motor and during the 1930s the original color would have indeed been burnt orange. These motors were made by Sunlight Electrical.



To show how closely intertwined Walker Turner and Sears tools were in the early 30s, here is the front cover of the 1932 Walker Turner catalog and the ensuing image is a description of the drill press.





And here is the front cover of the Sears Roebuck catalog from 1932 and the drill press description. Obviously the same artist. Sears had already purchased the Craftsman name in 1927, but it was originally relegated to farm equipment. By the early to mid 1930s Craftsman became the main tool brand.





For fun, here is the title page of the catalog.

 

[Patineto]

Hi o have a Walker but with a stupid motor mounted on the left side obvually is a total shore to make the drill axis vertical


Any mitor recomendatiion even a 3phase to have variable speed

Muchas gracias

 

[shoot summ]

This showed up on marketplace, had to go take a look at it. My thought is to maybe use the head with the column, table, and base of my import drill press. Don't think that will work as the column on the WT appears to be much larger. It is 3 phase but could be re-motored, there is damage to the casting for the quill feed handle where it has been laying on that side. It is a heavy beast, the guy said he couldn't bear to scrap it. His current price is $200, I think I could get it for $75 or so, just trying to decide if it is worth the effort.

 

[Hoorn]

@shoot summ because of the aforementioned damage to the casting at the quill, I would pass. Not really an easy to find part and you can't use the motor. That thing is going to take a lot of work to get it looking good and serviceable. Some other guys may see it different, see the challenge and I get that.

Unless you're in an area where DPs don't come up for sale often, vintage WT/Delta/Clausing/Powermatic/Craftsman DPs come up for sale in my neck of the woods routinely.

 

[bmwrd0]

At $75, I would definitely have a go with that. The broken casting isn't a stressed part, it is a damn good press, and it would be a fun challenge to get going.

 

[shoot summ]

@shoot summ because of the aforementioned damage to the casting at the quill, I would pass. Not really an easy to find part and you can't use the motor. That thing is going to take a lot of work to get it looking good and serviceable. Some other guys may see it different, see the challenge and I get that.

Unless you're in an area where DPs don't come up for sale often, vintage WT/Delta/Clausing/Powermatic/Craftsman DPs come up for sale in my neck of the woods routinely.

Kind of what I'm thinking, I would rather wait for a nicer, complete machine. This would end up just being something else sitting around waiting for me to do something with it...

 

[Provincial]

Variable Frequency Drives for smaller motors are pretty inexpensive, and allow slowing the three phase motor down to drill larger holes in metal. That machine has potential for the right user. It would be a shame to scrap it.

 

[Beerhippie]

Variable Frequency Drives for smaller motors are pretty inexpensive, and allow slowing the three phase motor down to drill larger holes in metal. That machine has potential for the right user. It would be a shame to scrap it.

VFDs for smaller motors can also convert single-phase to three-phase.

 

[tombell572]

There are a number of useable parts there. If you have the patience, it could parted out but it's a time consuming task. The lift assembly, belt guards, possibly the spindle at least could make others whole.

Tom B.

 

[boberino]

Any tips on where to find blades for this bad boy? Thanks

 

[Beerhippie]

Amazon has a great selection--and cheap. I don't recall the length--just get a rough measurement off the saw--but the ends are plain and that's what matters most.

Be sure you have an intact "bellows" where the shaft comes out of the top of the gearbox. Otherwise, the gearbox fill with sawdust. Mine was literally packed full with barely enough room for the crankshaft to move. I made my bellows from a piece of canvas and some soft mechanic's wire.

I had an almost identical saw:



I gave it complete work-over and sold it to a friend.

 

[boberino]

Wow, nice job! Good call on the bellows ... its shredded. I think I need a 7" blade. Thanks

 

[Beerhippie]

Whatever you use for the bellows, make sure it's a bit porous. The shaft has a "pumping" action that would otherwise pressurize the gearbox, resulting in the seal leaking.

 

[bmwrd0]

Picked this up yesterday at the Restore as they were having a 50% off sale storewide

A W-T 900 series bench model on a floor length pillar. Which doesn't really work, as the base is too small for that height.

original motor

bracket for the slow speed pulley

correct adjuster nuts and original paint

table has a couple pecks, but no real arc of shame
Also has the original switch, and, strangely enough, an Albrecht chuck. With the discount it was under $200. The plan is to hold off until spring, when I will have my lathe project finished, swap parts out with my other 900, dropping it down to the original height, and enjoy. The motor runs sweet as it is, and I will sell the other one to pay myself back.

 

[AK Coot]

I picked this one up a couple yrs ago and restored it. Fortunately it was all there and only needed a new switch and a lot of love.

 

[Hoorn]

@AK Coot that came out great, nice job.

 

[rocksnstumps]

Recently picked up a dual Walker Turner DP setup at an auction ridiculously cheap. To be honest, what really got my attention first was the table and later noticed an interesting item in one of the DPs (more on that later). These are Model 1100s with left one having a 1 hp - 3 phase motor and spindle is MT3 while the right one is 3/4 hp - 3 phase motor and MT2. The right one is probably going to get listed over in the classifieds as I really don't need to have 4 drill presses in the shop and maybe put my belt grinder there. Swapped out the cord and some wiring to the switch on the right DP but the left hand one was mostly ok and pretty much looks all original including the 1 hp 1140 rpm Crocker Wheeler Electric Mfg Company (Div of Joshua Hendy Iron Works) motor. I did tape up a couple wire insulation spots. These appear to be early 1940s vintage. The 3/4 hp was replaced in distant past and is now a Baldor 1750rpm motor. Fired up the rotary phase converter and powered them up, they both run. Right one is a bit quieter, left might be more belt noise though. These columns are a stout 3-3/4" diameter.



A closer view of sweet table



And the bonus item(s) A Tapmatic along with a Jacobs USA chuck too!


Pic of the nameplate on one of the belt guards



And finally the right DP does have a chunk missing out of the casting opposite the rack side but still rotates fine

 

[bazzz]

I thought I would share my Walker Turner DP that I have had for years. At some point I cleaned it up and painted it black, probably because I had a can on the shelf. It had the arc of shame when I bought it for $25. I was thinking about filling them in with JB Weld and filling it down to fill the divots. Would this be a good idea or should I leave it alone? I maybe selling it to make room on the bench. I acquired my dad’s Craftsman floor model and want the space more than having two DPs.

 

[Hoorn]

That's a pretty pronounced arc of shame. I've seen JBWeld used on those and is helpful in maintaining a flat surface, if you have access to a welder that is the best route. Drop some dimes in that arc then machine flat -if you keep it. JBWeld at most, if at all, if you plan to sell it.

 

[bazzz]

Yes, it’s a very big arc but I have used it as it is for a long time. I have a Craftsman floor DP and a HF mini mill with limited space. I am going to try to find it a new home. I guess it’ll depend on the buyer if it’s better to fill it with JB or leave the divots so they can weld it without having to deal with removing the stuff. I think it’s flatter now than if I tried to weld it and grind it down flat. My mini mill doesn’t have the travel and I think it’s beyond my ability to do multiple set ups to machine it properly. Thanks for your input. Any thoughts about a fair price? Motor is not original fyi.

 

[Hoorn]

You could ask $100. Aftermarket motor, arc of shame, no W-T on off switch are knocks on it. If you get more great, if you're looking to move it, you could accept less and still hold your head high.

 

[whateg01]

That's a pretty pronounced arc of shame. I've seen JBWeld used on those and is helpful in maintaining a flat surface, if you have access to a welder that is the best route. Drop some dimes in that arc then machine flat -if you keep it. JBWeld at most, if at all, if you plan to sell it.

Unless you are good at cast iron welding, I would just fill it with JB weld. Some of the repairs I've seen looked very good even closely matching the color. Obviously, I wouldn't try to hide that it's been repaired, but I would expect the average buyer to be more likely to buy with a good repair than with the existing damage.

 

[bazzz]

Thanks for the advice, I’ve never tried cast iron welding before and don’t think this would be a good one to try it out on. I’ll see what I can do with the JB and put it on CL. I need the bench space for other stuff.

 

[bazzz]

Not a power tool but still a Walker Turner tool. I’m organizing my saw blades and realized this dado blade set was made by Walker Turner in Plainfield NJ. I have had it for years. It was one of my dad’s hand me downs.

 

[bmwrd0]

I have found the holy grail!

(of course I had to buy a whole machine to get it, along with the left side cover I have been searching years to find. But, it wasn't in nearly as good a condition as mine is, and I had to wait with baited breath for it to be there on the last day of an estate sale to get it down to a price I was willing to pay. But, she is complete, ish. Still need to figure out the holder for the water pot, and I would love to get my hands on an original three leg stand for it. But all good things come to those that wait.)


just waiting to pick up a piece of 1/2" to thread and bend for the pot.

And if anyone in the PNW is interested:

I do have the eye shields for it, also.

 

[mercifiknow]

I have found the holy grail!

(of course I had to buy a whole machine to get it, along with the left side cover I have been searching years to find. But, it wasn't in nearly as good a condition as mine is, and I had to wait with baited breath for it to be there on the last day of an estate sale to get it down to a price I was willing to pay. But, she is complete, ish. Still need to figure out the holder for the water pot, and I would love to get my hands on an original three leg stand for it. But all good things come to those that wait.)


just waiting to pick up a piece of 1/2" to thread and bend for the pot.

And if anyone in the PNW is interested:

I do have the eye shields for it, also.

I knew I shouldn’t have moved away 20 yrs ago! Dang it!

 

[Hoorn]

Nice find!

 

[chargedmr2]

So, I'm just about finished up with my 12" Delta disc sander restoration and was planning take a little break before my next project. But then this nice little grinder popped up for sale nearby and I just had to have it, lol!

Can anyone help me locate this one in the catalogs? I can't pick it up until Saturday, but I'm already curious about the details. I can't find one exactly like it. The shields on this one are a little different than what I am typically seeing. They do say Walker Turner on them, if that helps.

 

[Hoorn]

@chargedmr2

1950 General Line Catalog



1948 Grinder specific catalog

 

[chargedmr2]

Thanks @Hoorn. I think this one I'm picking up has the lighted shields that the catalogs only show on the larger 10" models. Maybe the lighted shields also came on the smaller 7" model, which I'm pretty sure is the size of the one I found? That's the only thing that's a little confusing me at the moment.

 

[Hoorn]

The catalog and grinder brochure only cover 2 years, those grinders, without much mechanical change, were offered for a pretty decent stretch of time. Perhaps it was offered later in the run, or possibly the owner found a 10-in that wasn't working well and commandeered the light shields.

 

[chargedmr2]

The catalog and grinder brochure only cover 2 years, those grinders, without much mechanical change, were offered for a pretty decent stretch of time. Perhaps it was offered later in the run, or possibly the owner found a 10-in that wasn't working well and commandeered the light shields.

Makes sense. I'll dig into the catalogs a little more. It's always fun digging into the history of these old machines! Perhaps it will remain a mystery, or maybe once I actually get this one in hand, it will make more sense.

Can't wait to start the disassembly and cleanup! This will be my first Walker Turner machine.

 

[chargedmr2]

Well, I officially own my first Walker-Turner tool. It’s a diamond in the rough I think Can’t wait to get the restoration going on it. Guessing it’s mid-1940s?

 

[Model A Fan]

I have found the holy grail!

While it looks very old, I am doubting it is the chalice Christ bled into...what is it?

 

[bmwrd0]

While it looks very old, I am doubting it is the chalice Christ bled into...what is it?

That is the quenching cup for the grinder.

 

[chargedmr2]

That is the quenching cup for the grinder.

Quick question about that grail. Does the rod slip into the hole in the bottom of the cup or thread in?

My grinder came with one, but it's got quite a lot of rust on it and the rod is locked in tight! I can't tell how it's attached.

 

[bmwrd0]

Quick question about that grail. Does the rod slip into the hole in the bottom of the cup or thread in?

My grinder came with one, but it's got quite a lot of rust on it and the rod is locked in tight! I can't tell how it's attached.

I believe it slips in. I had to fabricate a rod for mine, but as far as I can tell, no threads on that end.

If you are interested in a pair of period correct eye shields, hit me up. I have a set I was going to put up for sale and would let go at a discount here.