Vintage Buffalo Drill Press - Help ID?

[Steve_S]

I just picked up a nice old Buffalo drill press. I plan to restore it to original condition, but I'm having trouble identifying exactly what model it is. What I believe to be the ID plate has been painted over. The plate on the G.E. motor states "HP 1/6" which seems low to me considering its size and weight. There is a small plate on the side of the drill press body which reads "D 18" but that's the only other marker I can see.

Any help identifying this drill press would be greatly appreciated! I'm also looking for a source for parts, such as an original power switch.

Photos follow...

 

[billymade]

Looks like the badge is right there on the left side; if you can carefully remove the paint, I'm sure the ID tag will give you all the info you need!
Here is a quick search of ebay with some presses looking like yours: http://search.ebay.com/buffalo-dril...ZR40QQssPageNameZRC0021QQ_trksidZp1638Q2em120
and here is a service/parts manual that I think maybe the same model as yours;
BUFFALO No.15 DRILL PRESS : http://cgi.ebay.com/BUFFALO-No-15-D...VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247
Here is a shot of an example of what your badge may look like under all the paint:

Buffalo company history:
http://www.owwm.com/MfgIndex/detail.aspx?id=129
Buffalo current website:
http://www.bmt-usa.com/

 

[Steve_S]

Thanks. I have the number 15 manual and it even shows photos of older models from the 30's through 60's. None of them are what I have, and I can't find a single photo or reference to one quite like mine.

I've gently scraped the paint from the ID tag with a fingernail and it looks to be completely bare underneath. Someone must have used stripper before repainting it.

I did find a number 18 manual on eBay and I'm considering buying it just for the chance that it will have mine in it.

 

[Steve_S]

May have finally hit the jackpot! I found one reference to this unit in a 1948 brochure, labeled "No. 15 Deluxe Model".

 

[stricht8]

Nice. A lot more solid looking than my Chinese made Delta model

 

[schor]

Looks like a buffalo 15 to me. From late 50's. But the quill lock has me stumped. I've never seen that before.

And no way that's an original motor. You want at least 1/2 horse.

Check the throw if it is 15.

 

[CoopVA]

Nice!

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Micheal - this is at least the 2nd Buffalo drill press thread that you have brought back from the dead. Just curious do you work for Buffalo or just interested in them? This board loves manufactures and vendors that identify themselves as such! We love inside information.