Vintage Walker Turner Worth It?

[Capra]

Hey guys,

I’m looking for some advice on a vintage walker turner I’ve come across for 100$. I’ve recently found myself in the market for a used Drill Press. I don’t need anything over the top, just something to make life easier when I need to drill through some steel. After doing a little research, it seems that parts for these are a little hard to come by. This one looks in pretty good shape, but I don’t see a switch wired up and it also comes with a craftsman motor (not sure if that was a thing for these). Would 100$ be a fair price? He originally had it listed for 200$ back in October, but has dropped it since.

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[Stadger]

Heck yes, it's worth $100. You could part it out on eBay and double your money.

 

[Maui]

That spindle cover is often missing and replacements on EBay often cost around $40 or more. Yes, that is a reasonable asking price. And since he hasn’t sold it, why not ask him if he would take $75?

 

[bmwrd0]

That's the model I use, and it is a great dp.

 

[30 Buford]

Nice


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[Capra]

Sounds like I should run down there haha.


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[Capra]

Why not offer $75? All they can say is no.



It is pretty nice looking. The arc of shame is very minimal for a 70 year old press.



Not the original motor, but the replacement looks nice on it.



I paid $75 for my Atlas, and I have zero regrets.

That’s nice!


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[JoCoSawdust]

It's worth 100 bucks all day long

 

[PETE14]

Overall it looks pretty nice - I bet it doesn't last very long at $100.

The one thing I did notice is that the top groove on the motor pulley looks all bent up - to the point of not being useable. That would be the highest speed, though, so maybe not a big deal. It could be replaced or possibly straightened if need be.

 

[Capra]

Overall it looks pretty nice - I bet it doesn't last very long at $100.



The one thing I did notice is that the top groove on the motor pulley looks all bent up - to the point of not being useable. That would be the highest speed, though, so maybe not a big deal. It could be replaced or possibly straightened if need be.

You’re right, I hadn’t noticed that. I think I should be able to get it straightened out though. Either way, it looks like I will be going to have a look at it Saturday morning.

Thank you everyone for your quick responses.


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[Capra]

Whether you buy that one or another pretty vintage one... buy a pretty vintage one...

I will forever carry this advice with me. Thank you, sir


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[Norcal]

Any way you look at it, the imports being sold today are nowhere near the quality of most vintage drill presses.

 

[Packard V8]

Much as I love old stuff and Walker-Turner in particular, $100 is top dollar around here for a standard bench DP.

There are those who ask more for older stuff and those who advertise a generic Chicom as "heavy duty" but that's just normal craigslist.

jack vines

 

[Capra]

Much as I love old stuff and Walker-Turner in particular, $100 is top dollar around here for a standard bench DP.

There are those who ask more for older stuff and those who advertise a generic Chicom as "heavy duty" but that's just normal craigslist.

jack vines

Well I don’t know where you are, but this is in the SF Bay Area. Everything here might as well be coated in gold according to Craigslist.


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[OccupantRJ]

The lower clamp around the spindle looks broken, a braze job.

 

[Packard V8]

Well I don’t know where you are, but this is in the SF Bay Area. Everything here might as well be coated in gold according to Craigslist.

For true; we lived in the Bay Area for a few years before the light bulb went on.

jack vines

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Those are cool looking. I am sure it is fine for the light use you need it for, and stylish as well.

 

[Capra]

Welp after getting the press home and cleaning the quill and pinion, there seems to be quite a bit of slop. Not enough for me to manually shake it up and down, but enough that when I rotate the crank I can hear the splines knocking together. The pinion had a ton of junk built up in it, so when I initially inspected it, everything seemed tight. Not sure if I should pick up a second hand quill and pinion, or just part this thing out to make a few bucks.


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[exmaxima1]

I'd check the spindle bearings before committing to buy. I bought a W-T a few years ago for $80 and recall the bearings being a special design. They cost me nearly $100 extra to replace.