Thoughts on these table-mounted drill presses

[dunstan]

In my search for an old drill press I've found a guy selling some table-mounted Walker Turner's for $75 each. Unfortunately they don't come with a table to mount them on.

I was wondering if anyone had dealt with this format of DP before, and if they're worth having? I'm torn between snapping one of these up and trying to work out a mounting solution, or waiting for a bench-top press with a rack and pinion table to appear on CL (which seems unlikely).

The main reason I'm considering these is:

• They seem to be in good condition.
• I like the rack and pinion positioning of the head. It seems quite rare to find an old bench-top drill press with a rack and pinion table, and in my limited experience with drills I've always been frustrated when it comes to positioning the table by hand.

The downsides are:

• I'd have to find a mounting solution.
• I think it'd be trickier to add an extra set of slow speed pulleys because the main column would get in the way.

As for a mounting solution, I presume I could get a machine shop to fabricate a simple base for me, or maybe even buy a base and table from a bench-top version of the same drill.

Since I've never actually owned a drill press before, I'm hoping someone with more experience than me could comment on whether this seems like a good idea for a small home shop (wood and some metal), or whether it sounds more trouble that it's worth.

Thanks very much.

-- Dunstan

p.s. I like the look of this set up: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1795581&postcount=62

 

[jakemac]

Unless you're going to be doing repetitive production work, I'd pass on these. These were mounted on a large production table with several heads in a row. Each head would be set at a specific height for it's one and only task, and then left there for the entire production run. There is a definite "coolness factor" to them, but for $75 you should be able to find a "ready to run" machine that will serve your needs better.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

You're going to need a Drill press to make the table and parts to hold this drill press. It's like a snake eating itself from the tail end, a vicious circle.

Cool project, but you'll end up with a lot of money, time, and headache into it. Get a nice DP first, and then get something like this later on if you want, but don't need.

Just my 2 red cents.

 

[TireTracks]

Those are very good dp's, but your not going to be able to add a 3rd pully for more speeds, they usualy mount in the column, and with these pressed, it won't work.

They may already be Slow speed drills, they look like metal working ones.

Could be a good deal, will take some work though to make a stand and table for them.

 

[ajchien]

Those are very good dp's, but your not going to be able to add a 3rd pully for more speeds, they usualy mount in the column, and with these pressed, it won't work.

They may already be Slow speed drills, they look like metal working ones.

Could be a good deal, will take some work though to make a stand and table for them.

Doesn't pic #2 have a press with the third pulley mounting hole in it? No third pulley tone seen however.

 

[A_Pmech]

I wouldn't buy one just based on the haphazardly way they're thrown into that palletized stack. He obviously doesn't think they're worth $75 each or he would have taken better care of them upon removing them from the table.

 

[Voi]

Do a search here on GJ for "gang drill press". You'll probably get a lot of hits but there was a good thread specifically about Walker Turners used in this sort of setup as I recall.

 

[Packard V8]

No, if it's your first DP, run away. Not only is there no base, there's no work table. Not really a good start.

However, for those of us who've been through it all and have a bunch of DPs, if the motors were single phase, I'd probably pay $75 just for the parts.

jack vines

 

[dunstan]

Thanks for the helpful advice everyone, I greatly appreciate it. I'll take a pass on these then and keep looking on CL.

The seller also has a bunch of presses attached to steel tables (one with three on, and one with two on) but they're far too big and heavy for my needs.

Jack, the motors are all single phase. If I manage to pick up a more suitable bench or standing Walker Turner then maybe I'll pop back and buy one of these for spare parts. Thanks for the tip.