Walker Turner DP pre-war?

[Luntz]

I'm not that familiar with WT machines. My son turned me on to this drill press, it's at a printing shop that's going out of business. Looks to be used gently over it's life.
Anyone know what year it's from, and what a reasonable offer might be?

 

[Prospecter]

I have an affinity for WT because I was born about a mile from the factory. WT made several grades of machines. I believe Driver was the homeowner grade. I have one similar that a neighbor gave to me, probably not in as good condition as the one pictured. Never spent more than $100 for a DP, but that's probably not reasonable any more. Maybe make an offer of $100 and work up from there?

 

[Davefr]

It looks like a cream puff. If I were selling it, I wouldn't take less than $250 and it would sell the same day. Prices can be regional. Go to vintagemachinery.org to date it and get any manuals.

Does it have the lift up belt cover and round base?

 

[trents99]

They started using serial numbers sometime in 1939 but according to the vintage machinery site the early numbers were more tied into model numbers and/or the year the model was introduced indicated by the last two numbers.

I have a floor standing unit with no numbers on the head badge. The badge on the round base shows DP 1040. Based on the information passed along when the drill press was given to me those two pieces of information point to a war time unit in my case. The DP I have was on a liberty ship that was launched 12/6/1941.

Based on the photos you showed I would also start at $100. It still has the WT motor which is nice. I wouldn't be afraid to offer more based on an in person inspection if run out was tight (WT used odd sized bearings here), it had the slow speed pulley, no arc of shame, original switch etc.

 

[Ricky Joe]

I would easily pay $300 for it, and I consider myself conservative. If I were selling, I would ask $400 and get it. I sold one ten years ago for $400.

 

[Luntz]

The DP I have was on a liberty ship that was launched 12/6/1941.

trents99, that is so cool. I've been on a couple of liberty ships and was surprised to see how many machine shop areas they had onboard, at least one on almost every level.
I'm going to mosey over to the printing press shop this afternoon and inquire as to the possible purchase price.....stay tuned.

 

[trents99]

Good luck on the potential purchase. Prices vary wildly based on location and format. In a non auction setting at a closing business hopefully you can get a fair price.

 

[Pexto]

These are nice machines - I have a similar floor model.

It's been poorly repainted, and the cord looks to be a replacement. But if the bearings are in good shape and the motor works OK it will serve well. Check the runout on the quill; these WTs use odd-sized bearings that are not cheap.

I think that machine possibly dates from 1944-45. See the last post in this thread for some info on how to date these: https://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=227484.

I'd say $100-200 depending on how it runs.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Good luck on the potential purchase. Prices vary wildly based on location and format. In a non auction setting at a closing business hopefully you can get a fair price.

Actually, the most fair prices are made in an auction setting. You have multiple people trying to get the best deal until one of them marginally wins. You can’t get much more fair than that.

 

[Whitworth]

$300 - $600 range

 

[bmwrd0]

It looks to be 1944 but has definitely been repainted.

I wouldn't pay more than 100-200, but everything depends on where you live.

 

[Ted D]

Very nice looking DP.

I used to go to a lot of auctions when I lived in NJ. They used to be fun and fair in price. But then all the city people (NYC, North NJ) discovered them and prices for everything went nuts.

And then there's Ebay. On Ebay I have seen DP's similar to that one go for around $400.

Does anybody know what the original color may have been?

Let us know how you make out. If you buy it, could you post more photos?

 

[trents99]

Actually, the most fair prices are made in an auction setting. You have multiple people trying to get the best deal until one of them marginally wins. You can’t get much more fair than that.

Several years ago I would agree. Things have changed IMHO especially with all the cash flowing in this economy. I see an occasional WT machine in estate auctions from time to time around me and a majority of times it just turns in to a bidding war and thus the item ends up being overpriced, again that's just my opinion. And this is happening to pretty much any item here along the lines of tools, fishing, camping etc. I'll also add that being an online auction there is always the risk of shill bidders to influence the price as well.

As an example I follow a few off the beaten path auctiin sites, not well advertised. I've seen single and three phase Powermatic DP go for less than $300 on several occasions. The WT has the cool factor but as far as the actual machine is concerned it can't compete with the PM.

 

[Ricky Joe]

I agree, but just saw a vintage Clausing break $600.

 

[dutchgray]

I agree, but just saw a vintage Clausing break $600.

Over here decent Fobco seven/eights can easily reach £800 and the ten/eights version over £1,000. They are about the best general purpose standard size belt driven British pillar drill made.
Sometimes they can be cheap, I was offered a 7/8 for 300 a couple years ago and would have bought it if I had had the money on me.

Dealers often ask multiple thousands for gear head Arboga drills and such.

 

[lafester]

A decent dp that has been spray bombed, I would put it at under $200.
The motor looks nice though, and those are getting hard to find.

 

[Hoorn]

The drill press was made between 1944-48. In 1948 Walker Turner was purchased by Kearney & Trecker and became the "Walker-Turner Division of Kearney & Trecker and was badged as such.

It's almost impossible to provide an estimate on worth from one frontal picture and realistically, without seeing it in person. Does it have the slo-speed pulley attachment, does it have the original Walker Turner on off switch on the left side of the head frame? What is the condition of the spindle pulley, is it chipped or cracked? It's great that it has a driver line motor which was made by Kingston-Conley, how does it run? Almost surely the bearings need replacing. The spray bomb job is atrocious and will have to be addressed. So many unanswered questions from one picture.

If you need a drill press, a benchtop Walker Turner 900 series if it's in good condition will provide good service. $200 is decent if it runs well and it's all intact, $300 is stretching it. If more is asked and it's without accessories, pass on it and wait for another Walker Turner or Delta that will inevitably pop up. They always do.

Having said that, if you want it and are handy enough to make it work for you and to maintain it, and it's within your budget then buy it.

 

[Cleave]

I paid 125 for a similar Delta Homecraft benchtop DP, in good shape.
One way to get deals is to get other stuff along with it, that you might need, that the seller hopes will sell.

 

[Tano]

I feel like I have to know how this story ends? did you buy it?

 

[Garage.Girl]

I've gotten my old drill presses from free to $25 to maybe max I've paid is $80 for something really special ( other than My Big A$$ modern 20inch delta) people round here don't know what they have. (I have 6 drill pressed right now)