Vintage drill Press

[Douglas733]

I have a love of old drill presses and on this site I saw a thread that was about them...well I have a opportunity to pick up an old Milwaukee floor model and was wondering what to watch out/ look for ....the other thing is somebody told me dont buy it "them old drills are loose and sloppy" is that so and how could it be any worse than the junk the big box stores are selling -

 

[454ragtop]

Can't think of a US made "Milwaukee" drill press, is it an import? Pretty hard for anyone to tell you much without some idea of what the thing looks like,
Jim

 

[larry_g]

With the information given we can only give very general information. Cracked castings and a table 1/2 cut in two by drilling into it would kill it for me. A spindle housing in the frame that is loose would also kill it. Bearing, switches, motors and other store bought items can be replaced. Can you post a picture or model number?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[d.mcfarland]

A bad or completely missing chuck could cost decent money to replace.

 

[WWIIjeep]

I have a opportunity to pick up an old Milwaukee floor model and was wondering what to watch out/ look for

Do you mean Delta Milwaukee?

If so, the drill press will be a minumum of 60 years old, because Delta moved out of Milwaukee in 1952 and stopped using Milwaukee in their name.

And, if that's what you're looking at, it will be either a 14" drill press or a 17" drill press, because those were the only two floor model presses they made before 1956. The 17" model was one of the best--if not the best--drill presses they ever made.

On the other hand, the 14" drill press was a lot lighter, and while it's still better quality than "the junk the big box stores are selling" it's 60+ years old and can have various issues that come with that kind of age, especially worn spindle bearings. The spindle bearings that were used on the 14" Delta Milwaukee drill press haven't been made for about 20 years, so they're almost impossible to find now. There are ways around that, if the spindle bearings happen to need replacement, but it's not like just calling your local bearing store and having a pair delivered the next day.

Before we can help you with specific potential or actual issues, it would help if you tell us exactly what make and model drill press you're looking at. A photo would be a good start.

 

[Douglas733]

Sorry Guys should have posted this in the first place...

http://images.craigslist.org/3E83Mf3F15Lf5E85Med1kfd51ec487696112b.jpg

THE HEAD ASSEMBLY HAS THIS NUMBER DP 220 MARK . In Used Working Condition. Serial Number 25-1938. Size of Chuck is 1/2 inches. The Work Table It Rotates to 45 degree etc... Original Used Delta Milwaukee Motor 1/3 horsepower single phase motor.also switch to turn off/on, 110 volts connecting the motor can be converted to 220 volts but right is wiring up on 110 volts. Belt Driven.. Delta Power Tool Division Rockwell Manufacturing Co. Milwaukee , Wisconsin. Made In The United States Of America.

 

[Douglas733]

http://images.craigslist.org/3F93M43Id5I55N55Ecd1k8e3d11880ae81637.jpg

 

[Outlawmws]

If the price is right, go for it

 

[dayid]

I've got a very similar DP220. They're great machines. The table looks like someone had no idea what they were doing more than once. That one is missing (or just never had) the lower-speed intermittent pulleys.

Looks like the chuck is brand new - doesn't really match the rest of it.

These are good, heavy pieces of equipment, but far from rare, so keep that in mind when pricing it.

Here's mine when first dug out of a barn after being neglected for many years:

 

[Packard V8]

Here's mine when first dug out of a barn after being neglected for many years

That's an ugly baby. Looks more like it was dug out of a swamp! ;>)

The Delta 14" DP220 was probably the most common small shop DP of the era. There are a million of them around and parts are everywhere. The only caveat is they used special bearings which are NLA. A couple of guys over on OWWM.org make reproductions.

jack vines

 

[my58]

Here's mine when first dug out of a barn after being neglected for many years:

dayid,

Have you restored yours yet? If so can we see some pics. Thanks

 

[Voi]

The spindle bearings that were used on the 14" Delta Milwaukee drill press haven't been made for about 20 years, so they're almost impossible to find now.

What about the early Delta/Rockwell DP 225s? Are those the same spindle bearings as the last of the Delta/Milwaukee 14" drill presses?

There is a 1955 version for sale locally. I think the guy wants too much for it but I'm still somewhat interested as it came out of a local high school. A lot of those former high school shop tools haven't been abused and I believe that some of them were ordered with a low speed pulley so they could be used by both wood and metal shop students. Of course I forgot to check that when I saw it. If it has the low speed pulley I'm going to be a lot more interested.

 

[WWIIjeep]

What about the early Delta/Rockwell DP 225s? Are those the same spindle bearings as the last of the Delta/Milwaukee 14" drill presses?

Yes, both versions (with DP-220 and DP-225 head castings) used the same New Departure 88100 spindle bearings with slotted extended inner races.

As mentioned, someone over at owwm.org is making adapter sleeves and pressing them into a modern bearing. There are also a few NOS bearings available if your bearing supplier knows where to look (most don't, or don't care to make the effort), but the NOS ones are very pricey. The other option is to do away with the locking collar feature that requires those special bearings, but then you can't easily swap spindles, which was one of the unique and useful features of both of those models (5 different types of spindles available for various uses--standard 33JT for drill chuck; 1MT for taper shank drill bits; 1/2" bore for mortising attachment; 5/16" threaded for small shaper bits; 1/2" threaded for cup grinding wheels, wire wheels, etc.).

I believe that some of them were ordered with a low speed pulley so they could be used by both wood and metal shop students. Of course I forgot to check that when I saw it. If it has the low speed pulley I'm going to be a lot more interested.

Both styles had that option. The "slo-speed" versions were nice, and generally more desirable for all-around use. Easy to tell: on the high-speed versions, both spindle and motor step-pulleys are the same diameter; on the slo-speed versions, the spindle pulley is significantly larger in diameter than the motor pulley.

 

[Voi]

Both styles had that option. The "slo-speed" versions were nice, and generally more desirable for all-around use. Easy to tell: on the high-speed versions, both spindle and motor step-pulleys are the same diameter; on the slo-speed versions, the spindle pulley is significantly larger in diameter than the motor pulley.

That's good information. I somehow thought the slow speed version has an extra step on each pulley. I did a bit more digging and found this picture:

So I assume the slow speed version doesn't have the same top speed as the high version then?

And here is a link to the PDF. I'm throwing this in here for anybody following this thread. Hope it's not being perceived as a thread jack.

http://vintagemachinery.org/files/PDF/FAQ/DrillPress.pdf

I'm going to have to read through this before making my decision. One part of me says to hold out a bit longer but another part thinks that if the 225 for sale locally has the low speed pulley it will be all the drill press I'll ever need.

 

[WWIIjeep]

I somehow thought the slow speed version has an extra step on each pulley.

4 steps on all the 14" models; 5 steps on all the 17" models.

So I assume the slow speed version doesn't have the same top speed as the high version then?

On the 14" drill presses, speeds are:

680-1250-2400-4600 rpm for the high speed model.

470-780-1300-1950 rpm for the slo-speed model.

 

[John Timmins]

I think it is a 1943 model.

 

[Albiemanmike]

That's good information. I somehow thought the slow speed version has an extra step on each pulley. I did a bit more digging and found this picture:

So I assume the slow speed version doesn't have the same top speed as the high version then?

And here is a link to the PDF. I'm throwing this in here for anybody following this thread. Hope it's not being perceived as a thread jack.

http://vintagemachinery.org/files/PDF/FAQ/DrillPress.pdf

I'm going to have to read through this before making my decision. One part of me says to hold out a bit longer but another part thinks that if the 225 for sale locally has the low speed pulley it will be all the drill press I'll ever need.

Thanks for that info I just finished restoring a Rockwell 15-017 and it has the slow speed pulleys according to your picture. The motor pulley is definitely smaller than the spindle pulley on my drill press and I had to replace the bearing in the spindle pulley which I found on www.hammerscale.com.

 

[ndnchf]

If you want variable speed capability, you could use a VFD. When I got this old Walker-Turner WT 900 it was in pretty sad shape. When I restored it, I added a VFD which has made it much easier to use and a lot more versatile.

 

[Outlawmws]

If you want variable speed capability, you could use a VFD. When I got this old Walker-Turner WT 900 it was in pretty sad shape. When I restored it, I added a VFD which has made it much easier to use and a lot more versatile.

Not all 110 motors will work with a VFD.

I replaced my Rockwell DP's motor with a Treadmill motor and am loving it. completely variable from near stop to 3-4-5000 RPM!! and no belt changes!

 

[andywander]

As far as I know, you will need a 3-phase motor in order to use it with a VFD.

 

[Outlawmws]

Someone here mentioned that a certain breed of 110 or 220 motor (I don't remember the details) can be used on a VFD, but it was so impractical from my standpoint I didn't even try to keep track of it.

 

[ndnchf]

As far as I know, you will need a 3-phase motor in order to use it with a VFD.

Fortunately, 3 phase motors are often cheap because a lot of folks don't have 3 phase power available. I used a 3/4 hp Baldor, 220 3 phase motor. It was given to me for free by another guy who collects old tools. He had a pile of them. It was in good shape, so I just cleaned it up, put new bearings in it and painted it. The beauty of this motor is that it is dead simple. No brushes, no commutator, no centrifigual switch. Just windings and a rotor, so there is almost nothing to wear out. The VFD I selected (TECO FM50) uses standard 110v house current input and converts it to 3 phase, so it can be plugged in anywhere.

The treadmill motor is another good way to go.

 

[phawley]

If you want variable speed capability, you could use a VFD. When I got this old Walker-Turner WT 900 it was in pretty sad shape. When I restored it, I added a VFD which has made it much easier to use and a lot more versatile.

Do you still fool with your belts, maybe just to increase the range of speeds you can manage with your VFD, or rely solely on the unit for speed control?

I'm just about done rebuilding a WT 900 (today I'll be finishing the mount adapter to hang a 1hp motor on it, because that's what I've got, though it may be too much) and it will be my first real power tool. I do not count my dremel, which is more of a "useful gizmo." So I am a little intimidated and interested in learning what can be done to make it easier to use.

 

[Outlawmws]

Not all 120 motors will take a VFD so before you go too far down the path of a VFD on a single phase Motor:

http://www.emainc.net/newsletter/vfd-for-single-phase-induction-motor/

 

[454ragtop]

VFD's for single phase motors are so expensive one can buy a used 3 ph. motor and a single to 3 ph VFD for less money, and it will be a better more reliable motor.
Jim

 

[exmaxima1]

As far as I know, you will need a 3-phase motor in order to use it with a VFD.

True. You can't use a VFD on any single phase motor that employs a start winding.

 

[beltdrive]

I have 6 old drill presses here...I will never be able to restore them all. If someone would like to have the Walker Turner pictured, please call me I am in RHode Island. It runs great. Just dirty, greasey...begging to look like new again. It is not sloppy and loose by the way. 401 419 0621

 

[exmaxima1]

I have 6 old drill presses here...I will never be able to restore them all. If someone would like to have the Walker Turner pictured, please call me I am in RHode Island. It runs great. Just dirty, greasey...begging to look like new again. It is not sloppy and loose by the way. 401 419 0621

That's an awesome donation. I wish I wasn't 1200 miles away.

 

[beltdrive]

The walker turner is gone. And I'm down to 4 drill presses. 3 Delta Homecraft and one delta from the 30s that is very clean and rocks!