Thoughts on This Older Craftsman Drill Press?

[bulletpruf]

Fellas -

Sold my Taiwan made drill press before I left Italy with the intent to buy another used one when we returned to the states.

I've been looking off an on for a decent used one in/around San Antonio. Was a lot more difficult than I thought - lots of junk, plenty of overpriced ones, a few decent ones that got snagged before I could pull the trigger, etc. Finally found this one for $200. Price wasn't great, but it's in very good condition, no arc of shame, and I doubt it has much runout.

Anyway, I plan to use this in the garage for car related fabrication. Have a decent assortment of bits, drill press vise, etc.

Curious to hear your thoughts on quality, suitability, etc. Also, if anyone knows approximately when it was manufactured, I'd be interested to know.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[PBCampbell]

Looks late 70s to 80s to me. First 3 digits will indicate manufacturer, most likely Emerson. I can't make out what the speeds are, but slow is the way to go for metal in general, sheet metal not so much. If you're more specific about what you intend to do, folks here will be able to give you better advice. $200 was about $100 too much in my opinion, but maybe you scored a real gem.

 

[oldgoaly]

Been using one for 35 years, I can not complain, I've looked at the belt it still looks good. Oiled motor a few times over the years. Bought it used a couple of years old for 150$ they were 249 on sale back then.

 

[Jay H 237]

It is in fact made by Emerson with the 113 prefix, http://vintagemachinery.org/Craftsman/manufacturers.aspx

There should be a 4 digit date code somewhere on the drill press itself. Last number of year and the day of the year, up to 365.

I agree above, very late 70's to mid 80's.

Around here the price was fair, definitely not a steal but not a rip off either. It looks to have been well taken care of, no surface rust and holes drilled all over the table.

 

[oldgoaly]

date code for the motor 6th month of 1981

 

[VocaTexas]

I've got a predecessor to that drill press, made in the '60s and '79s. Looks to use the same head, but mine doesn't have the light switch and has a larger table with T-slots. I really like it. The only problem I have is even on it's slowest speed it still turns too fast for drilling larger holes in steel.

 

[matt_i]

Imo the table is a good indication it hasn't been abused. Nothing drives me to anger like people drilling holes in the cast iron machine table....

Also, the best accessory I ever got for my drill press was a 6" milling machine vise. The Kurt knockoffs are excellent and there are also old "Bridgeport" vises which are sort of obsoleted these days from milling machines due to the jaw-lift that has been mostly resolved in the Kurt design.

 

[Davefr]

I had that exact machine as my first DP. It's a decent machine, well built and has a wide speed range that's easily adjustable with that tiny belt.

I was concerned about the drive belt but have never broken one and they're still available.

What I hated was lack of table lift, table rotate and table tilt. That's a heavy cast table and making small height adjustment is a PIA. (especially if you add the optional auxiliary bolt on table and/or have a heavy vise or holding fixture.) The clamp does not open enough for you to lift the table up. You need to wiggle it side to side to gradually raise the table.

My advise would be to keep looking for a machine with table lift unless it'll be an infrequently used machine needing minimal table adjustments.

I will not own a DP without table lift and a VFD/3 phase motor.

The price seems a tad high but that machine looks to be in excellent. condition.

 

[callcoy]

I beg to differ with previous posters, I believe you got a great deal, yes it doesn't have a table lift but then one of mine doesn't have one either and I have used it for over 50 years. That is a very solid machine and it will give years of service.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have one very similar to that one. I haven't really had an issue with mine and it's worked fine.

 

[1982fxr]

I think you did fine.

 

[bulletpruf]

Thanks for all the input, fellas. My last one had a table lift and T-slots. Hope I don't miss 'em too much.