Vintage Craftsman drill press journey has started

[REVRobert]

I started looking a drill presses, both table top and floor standing, to see what was out there. I didn't want cheap imports. I wanted made in the USA. BUT soon realized that for my non-commercial use I wasn't looking to spend the dollars required to buy a quality new USA made one.

Started searching on Craigslist and FB Market place finding a bunch of Delta and other non USA made units. Googled the Delta 17-900 and came across a thread that talked about the 17-900 plus mentioned a few vintage Craftsman units. Then I went down the rabbit hole a bit deeper and found Jeff's Shop videos. Well that had me looking at this forum and quickly realized I wanted a Craftsman King Seeley drill press.

Found a Craftsman King Seeley floor drill press about 1 1/2 hours away for very little $. Made arrangements to see that one and was lucky enough to find a table top model 1/2 hour away from the floor model.

I watched Jeff's evaluation videos (thanks so much for them Jeff) to learn more about the wear/trouble/hard to get parts.

Today I picked up both presses. These are not in pristine shape, but I plan to use them and maybe restore one with my daughter.

The floor is labeled as 103.23130 and the table top is 103.23641.

I'm excited to start this journey!

 

[FrankLee]

Very nice!

The 100 likely left the factory as a bench model. A floor standing base is much bigger. It is likely '51/'52-ish based on the head and table lock style and the safe-lock Jacobs chuck.

Check the inside of the floor column at the top for a milled bore about 1.75" deep. If present, it's a Craftsman column. The 80 should have a similar milled bore for comparison.

The 80 is likely a '52/'53 because of the absence of the head trim panel.

There is a date code on the Craftsman motors to help date the machines.


(Please update your profile with your location.)

 

[REVRobert]

Thank you for the post FL!

I was able to check the floor column on the 100 and didn't see any milled bore inside. The cap on the column of the 80 wouldn't come off easily, so I'm letting that one soak in penetrating oil.

The 100 Craftsman motor label has K3 50 (Oct 1950) and the 80 has E2 51 (May 51). I only deciphered the dates because of this fantastic forum. The base on the 100 (12" x 19") is larger than the 80 base (11" x 16").

I feel lucky to have found these. I feel these may have started me on a serious quest to seek out more vintage Craftsman and other USA made tools.

I did update my profile. I thought I had done that already....

 

[FrankLee]

Thank you for the post FL!

I was able to check the floor column on the 100 and didn't see any milled bore inside. The cap on the column of the 80 wouldn't come off easily, so I'm letting that one soak in penetrating oil.

It's also possible that the column on the 100 could be installed upside down. I've seen that a couple times. The early columns until 1956(?) were 67". After that, they were shortened to 62".

The 100 Craftsman motor label has K3 50 (Oct 1950) and the 80 has E2 51 (May 51). I only deciphered the dates because of this fantastic forum.

Correct. That supports my estimates.

The base on the 100 (12" x 19") is larger than the 80 base (11" x 16").

The floor-standing 100 base is ~18" x 24".

There was also a short run of floor-standing 80 dp's; '54-'57.

I feel lucky to have found these. I feel these may have started me on a serious quest to seek out more vintage Craftsman and other USA made tools.

It's a very slippery slope.

I did update my profile. I thought I had done that already....

Thanks!

 

[grannyknot]

Love the head on those drill presses, so George Jetson.

 

[REVRobert]

I was able to carve some time to do some basic lubrication and replace the belt on the 80. Needed it for a project I'm working on that involved thick wall stainless 1" pipe for a flip back cooler seat on a boat.

What a wonderful piece of machinery!

 

[REVRobert]

Another bench drill press popped up and I couldn't pass it up. Needs a good cleaning, lubrication and a belt. Previous owner used it to rebuild a vintage Impala that he has. Just love the build quality on these units!

 

[FrankLee]

Very nice!

And a very early model. You'll be able to identify several evolutionary changes between this one and your first 13-1/2" model.

 

[REVRobert]

Thanks Frank! I'm looking forward to discovering the changes AND as always thanks for sharing your wisdom here!!!!