Would you guys be afraid to buy this drill press

[CalsXS2]

I just went and looked at this old Craftsman drill press.

Appearance wise it was a lot worse than it looks in his pictures. It's all rusty and needs new paint. He tested some areas with vinegar to see if it would clean up. Well it will. But now it really looks like **** half done. I'm not opposed to restoring it. Just expected better for the price.

The motor pulley has a chunk took out of the top. The belt is trash from being misaligned and I'm sure it's hitting that missing chunk. So all this is causing the motor to wobble badly. But if I take the belt off the motor runs smooth with no play that I can feel. I assume it would a new pulley. Or would it??

The low speed center spindle has a little play in it too. Maybe need a new bearing there too unless they just run loose?? The table has a few drill marks in it. But nothing major. Still though. Not perfect.

Everything else seems tight. The only missing parts are the 2 quill levers.

I guess technically I could put a belt on and run it. But It really needs restored. It's not a steal. But it sure would be nice when done.

Would you guys be afraid of it?

Hope this link works for pics I took.

http://s479.photobucket.com/user/Col_Cotton_Hill/library/CRAFTSMAN DRILL PRESS?sort=3&page=1

 

[dadsEH]

Run!

 

[jakemac]

OK, here are my thoughts (keep in mind that I'm partial to this era of Cman/Atlas DP's)

1 - made before 1940(ish) (oval switch plate).
2 - if it has 4 handles, then 1938-1940?. If it has 3 handles, then 1936-1938. One handle (through the spindle to make two holds) then earlier than 1936. (this is a rough guide and may vary some).
3 - the motor has a reverse switch.
4 - the motor is 1/2hp, not the normal 1/3hp that you usually see on these DP's
5 - the broken motor pulley can be replaced (the spindle pulley is splined and harder to find).
6 - it has the chrome spindle cover (these go missing all the time. I paid $50 for that part after a 3 year search on ebay)
7 - it's a floor model.
8 - THE SLOW SPEED PULLY ASSEMBLY SELLS FOR $200 AND UP ON EBAY !!!!!!!!!!

I've been using a 1941/2 bench model of this DP that my grandfather bought used in the late 50's all my life and will take it to the grave with me. I'd get rid of my dog before I'd part with my DP.

You didn't list the asking price, so it's hard to tell if it's worth it. But I'd say you would be fine up to $100 if you want to do the work to clean and re-wire it. You could go a little higher if the spindle/chuck doesn't have excessive runout.

Use it's condition to try to get the price down. Let the seller know how much work will be needed to make it a daily user again. Just because it runs, that doesn't mean it's a workable machine.

If you want to match the paint, there is no over the counter match that is perfect. But a close match in a rattle can is Valspar #85205 Classic Royal Blue available at Lowes.

 

[zkling]

Depends on the price.

 

[Off-Street Parking]

My desire to restore something like this generally goes up in direct proportion to its age. Based on what Jake said, it sounds like a winner to me! If you can fix it up and use it, awesome. If you can't, or decide not to, it's worth a fair amount as-is or for parts, so there's not a huge risk.

 

[S4cruiser]

I'd buy it depending on price...but I enjoy bringing old tools back to life.

 

[Packard V8]

Nothing there which a lot of elbow grease and a modicum of money won't fix.

jack vines

 

[bluebolt]

I like it! Need to know price though.

 

[yaidunno]

It looks to have potential, but it's going to take some labor to bring it back to life.

 

[countryroad82]

I see it all nice and fixed. I can also see getting it in usable shape, which is most likely what would happen if I bought it. Just depends mainly on the price. Like others said $100ish + or - wouldn't be horrible for it.

 

[CalsXS2]

Well. I passed on it. I just felt like $150 was too much for it with all the work that needed done. I need something to use now. Not another project. All though it would have been the best I could ask for when finished.

And yes. I all ready regret not buying it,,,lol. I'm sick over it. And it's gone now. Oh well

 

[zeet]

Sorry you missed that one... That was a gem in the rough.

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 that you let a good fish get away.

That DP would have been sweet restored.

 

[turmlos]

OK, here are my thoughts (keep in mind that I'm partial to this era of Cman/Atlas DP's)

1 - made before 1940(ish) (oval switch plate).
2 - if it has 4 handles, then 1938-1940?. If it has 3 handles, then 1936-1938. One handle (through the spindle to make two holds) then earlier than 1936. (this is a rough guide and may vary some).
3 - the motor has a reverse switch.
4 - the motor is 1/2hp, not the normal 1/3hp that you usually see on these DP's
5 - the broken motor pulley can be replaced (the spindle pulley is splined and harder to find).
6 - it has the chrome spindle cover (these go missing all the time. I paid $50 for that part after a 3 year search on ebay)
7 - it's a floor model.
8 - THE SLOW SPEED PULLY ASSEMBLY SELLS FOR $200 AND UP ON EBAY !!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for the above information. I recently picked up one of these for $120. It's a 4 handle with Hi-Lo speed attachment. It came with a nice 1/2hp Walker Turner "Driver" motor. The pulleys are in excellent shape & it even has the spindle cover. The only thing missing appears to be the spindle return spring cap.

 

[jakemac]

The spring cap shows up on ebay every now and then. Keep an active search on ebay with email notifications and one day you may get lucky.

If the switch plate is rectangular, then it was built after 1940 IIRC (maybe '41). This model was available during the war, but was on restriction due to rationing. Shortly after the war Sears moved production from Atlas to King-Seely and introduced the "alien head" models 80 and 100.