ARFLY
Well-known member
Tomorrow I will be looking at an early 50's Craftsman floor drill press that was listed on Craig's List. Is there anything I should be aware of or anything I should make sure I check out before buying it?
Vintage Craftsman drill press
- Thread starter ARFLY
- Start date
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
Arfly,
Take a small drill bit, a small piece of mild steel and a clamp. Ensure that the drill pulley is set to the lowest speed, clamp down the steel and drill a few holes.
Be quick. If that DP was selling in my area for that price, it would be soon gone.
Take a small drill bit, a small piece of mild steel and a clamp. Ensure that the drill pulley is set to the lowest speed, clamp down the steel and drill a few holes.
Be quick. If that DP was selling in my area for that price, it would be soon gone.
Packard V8
Well-known member
Antique? In my shop it would be the newest DP.
Looks decent for the money.
jack vines
Looks decent for the money.
jack vines
I would like to have one from the late 30's or early 40's with the Craftsman underlined logo. A local gunsmith has a restored one in his shop that is really nice, but not for sale. I will be looking at this drill press this evening and probably picking it up when a friend gets off work. I bet it is going to be heavy.
ckadams00
Well-known member
Arfly - it the motor works and the table isn't too beat up I would snag it at that price. Even if you find problems later you can buy a second one for parts at some point and still only be out <$300 which is far less than you'll pay for a floor drill press made of plastic. Plus you get the learning experience of the restore and there are tons of people on here who can help.
If you are putting it in the back of the truck, then you won't have to take anything apart - if you need to take parts off for travel:
1. Take the motor off. Tilt the motor hinge up and take off the belts. Then losten the bolts on each side of the head and the motor mount will slide out.
2. You may or may not be able to get the table off, you probably won't be able to get the base off with all the rust on the post - don't bother trying too hard until you get her home.
3. To remove the head: you simply loosten the retaining handle/bolt on the back side of the head. LAY IT DOWN or have your friend support the head BEFORE you do this or the head can slip and easily break the table off.
4. Unscrew the handles before transport so you don't snap one off.
Good luck!
If you are putting it in the back of the truck, then you won't have to take anything apart - if you need to take parts off for travel:
1. Take the motor off. Tilt the motor hinge up and take off the belts. Then losten the bolts on each side of the head and the motor mount will slide out.
2. You may or may not be able to get the table off, you probably won't be able to get the base off with all the rust on the post - don't bother trying too hard until you get her home.
3. To remove the head: you simply loosten the retaining handle/bolt on the back side of the head. LAY IT DOWN or have your friend support the head BEFORE you do this or the head can slip and easily break the table off.
4. Unscrew the handles before transport so you don't snap one off.
Good luck!
jakemac
Well-known member
I wouldn't bother taking it apart to move it. Just loosen the table clamp and lower it to the base ( not touching). Then do the same with the head and motor assembly.
This lowers the center of gravity and will allow you to easily move the DP with a two wheeled handtruck. You can lay it down on a packing blanket to get it home.
This lowers the center of gravity and will allow you to easily move the DP with a two wheeled handtruck. You can lay it down on a packing blanket to get it home.
I just go home with it.
Unloaded and just barely in the garage.
It's dirty and got some mud daubers here and there. It works good. The cord has cracks all over it and needs to be replaced. Overall it seems solid and complete. It is definitely heavy. I will do a general cleaning and replace the cord for now. When we get into our new house, I plan on doing a full restoration.
Unloaded and just barely in the garage.
It's dirty and got some mud daubers here and there. It works good. The cord has cracks all over it and needs to be replaced. Overall it seems solid and complete. It is definitely heavy. I will do a general cleaning and replace the cord for now. When we get into our new house, I plan on doing a full restoration.
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bisley45
Well-known member
saw that one listed also if I hadn't already got one I would have been all over that one. good score