Vintage B&D drill...press?

[Old-Soul]

After five years of patience and subtle harassment I got to bring this old drill press home from work. I spied it immediately after starting at my job over five years ago and have kept close tabs on it since. Today was the day it came home.

What would one even call this rig? Even the most seasoned of our techs (almost 40 years on the job) doesn't remember it ever getting put to use so I have a feeling it's been in the dealership since the get go.

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[Private Lugnutz]

It's called a Drill Stand. That 5/8" drill is separate from the Drill Stand. You put various size portable drills in it when you need to do drilling that requires more stability than freehand, but more portability than the permanent DP in your shop, etc. I am pretty yours is a No. 60. They made a No. 20, a No. 40, and a N0. 60. See pics. They are all shown with drills, but they pop in and out easily. These pics are from an undated B&D catalog I have, but it is wartime (WWII) because it is chock full of WPB Limitation Order L-216 notices discontinuing certain products from being sold. I am not saying your Drill Stand was made in WWII. It may be later, or it may be earlier. See if there is a data plate on it somewhere. It might have a patent number.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

As long as I am on the subject, I may as well show off mine.

I have a "Type 3."

It's not in any of the catalogs I have (the wartime, or a 1953), but the patent on the data plate (2,477,916) dates to 1949. It looks to me like a home shop model version of the No. 20, coming in that nice verde green color as opposed to the industrial gray.

It holds 1/4" and 3/8" drills.

 

[Farmer J.]

I remember when they sold those new in the local hardware store...

 

[johninct]

Mine looks like a #40. I still use it.

 

[Old-Soul]

Fantastic. This is why I love this board.
When I get back from sledding out west this weekend I'll try to give it a real good once-over, see if there's any clues as to it's age. Not that that rrreeeaallyy matters to me all that much, it's still cool and it's mine. It'll go good in our old shop beside my grandfather's bottle jack press he made out of a Model T frame.

 

[larry_g]

I had one of those for awhile. Found that the reduction gears on the front were sadly in need of relubing. After the clean and relube the noise was cut in 1/2. I also find them handy to use as a poor mans mag base drill. You can clamp the base onto a piece pf plate or beam and drill with good accuracy.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

Larry said, “I also find them handy to use as a poor man’s mag base drill”......that’s a Great idea!..I can use that. Thanks!


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[johninct]

I had one of those for awhile. Found that the reduction gears on the front were sadly in need of relubing. After the clean and relube the noise was cut in 1/2. I also find them handy to use as a poor mans mag base drill. You can clamp the base onto a piece pf plate or beam and drill with good accuracy.

lg
no neat sig line

What kind of grease did you use? I need to re-lube mine.

 

[Davefr]

What would one even call this rig?

A widowmaker!!

Those ancient metal case drills with old 2 wire cords can and do kill. As a bare minimum replace the old cord with a 3 wire cord with proper ground.