Vintage Drill Press
- Thread starter dw1
- Start date
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
All original? Knock the guy or gal down as much as possible. It's worth good money, so try to get the best deal.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
It doesn't have a "value". The owner or you (the potential purchaser) places a value on it. If you need a good floor model drill ... go for it. If you want to flip it, not a chance on this one probably.
Packard V8
Well-known member
It's machines for markets. The last one I sold here was in better shape than that one and wouldn't bring $100 in Spokane.
jack vines
jack vines
John in OH
Well-known member
Yeah, well, I guess $200 is an OK price ..... maybe a little high, but not bad. If you like it and want it then buy it and don't worry about whether or not you got a killer deal.
As Packard V8 says, location has a LOT to do with machine tool prices. Older machine tools are dirt cheap in the rust belt (like NE Ohio), but the same machine can demand much more in less industrialized locations.
As Packard V8 says, location has a LOT to do with machine tool prices. Older machine tools are dirt cheap in the rust belt (like NE Ohio), but the same machine can demand much more in less industrialized locations.
lowbucktruck
Well-known member
Eh, $200 is a bit steep. Can't see what shape the table is in. A fair price would depend on the size of the drive motor, the shape of the quill and whether new wiring or switch will be needed for reliable operation. I'd pay $150-$175 for a drill press that was a runner and not a refurb project.
yossarian19
Well-known member
I saw one with fresh paint & reportedly new bearings, guy was asking $275 locally. I opted for the 17" model instead.
tool_scrounge
Well-known member
Presuming everything works and it has the large slow speed spindle pulley, see if you can get it for $140 and sell the lamp for $40.
Is there anything else that I should or shouldnt be looking for (obvious) I am going to try and see this tomorrow. I dont have an issue with the price but would like to get a half way decent deal, $150 would be fine as long as it runs, not sure if he has anything else with this or not? I guess a light was included with the original drill press? 
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Fair if no problems. I'd personally look for a little heavier machine.
Fair if no problems. I'd personally look for a little heavier machine.
I'm in no hurry by any means, but these seem to be far and few in between around here, if I see something interesting, it ends up being several hundred miles away, or more.
yossarian19
Well-known member
Look at the motor name plate and check its horsepower.
For wood work, I really don't know what you "need" but I never ran into something myself that a 1/2 HP drill press wouldn't do.
For metal work, that same 1/2 HP drill press was a total pain to work with. It would bind & stall the motor all the time. Just isn't enough power for metal beyond thing sheet & small holes.
The 1.5 HP 17" drill press, on the other hand, punched a 3/8" hole (unpiloted) through 1/2" plate and never even slowed down. All I had to do was keep the bit cool & it just ate it right up.
So, it depends on your intentions but you should at least know what you are buying.
For wood work, I really don't know what you "need" but I never ran into something myself that a 1/2 HP drill press wouldn't do.
For metal work, that same 1/2 HP drill press was a total pain to work with. It would bind & stall the motor all the time. Just isn't enough power for metal beyond thing sheet & small holes.
The 1.5 HP 17" drill press, on the other hand, punched a 3/8" hole (unpiloted) through 1/2" plate and never even slowed down. All I had to do was keep the bit cool & it just ate it right up.
So, it depends on your intentions but you should at least know what you are buying.
redmondjp
Well-known member
Perfectly stated! I've got an 8" benchtop unit that I use for the small jobs, and last year I picked up a Taiwanese Craftsman 20" at an estate sale a few blocks from here. I don't really need a 20", but it goes all the way down to 150rpm which is important for drilling large holes through metal. Plus, I have a full set of twist drills that goes up to 1.5"(tool sale at a half-finished nuclear power plant, egads did they have some amazing tool deals there), so it's nice to have a press that can actually use them.
But any drill press is better than none!