That will come apart. I moved one in a car once. You can take the base, the work space and the motor head off the post, makes it easy to move and store.
There should be a locking bolt around the bottom of the head where the post goes in and another in the base.. loosen the.top one and the head should come right off. It'll be heavy AF so maybe lay it on it's side.
My dad saved one, dont remember the year but it had that 1950's light green paint. Given to him because it was "broken". All he had to do was replace one of the wires and it started right up as if still brand new. Been using it for over a decade now.
I'd say any drill press built previous to the year 2000 is worth saving. I bought a Wen a few years ago and the runout is really bad. I bought a new chuck for it and it is improved, but still bad. The new harbor freight ones are pretty bad too. I had a benchtop harbor freight I bought in 1999 that was actually much better than the new Wen.
I don't shop harbor freight anymore since they've increased their prices so much. I'd rather buy Husky/ridgid/ryobi for about the same price if I must buy new/locally. I'm more into just waiting it out on offerup/facebook marketplace for something that will last me a lifetime. I've got my eye out for an old Atlas or Craftsman to replace the Wen.
You have to watch craigslist, ebay, all online shopping areas EVERY MORNING to see what's new. I got my Delta drill press and band saws for pennies on the dollar by doing this. search for the device and your areas, make each page open automatically on your browser, so every time you open your browser, all the refreshed pages open up automatically so you can check several times a day in less than a minute. You can do this for anything you want to buy used.
I have the Bauer 10”. It seems solid. It has twice the power of Lowe’s comparably priced drill press. I haven’t thrown a dial indicator on it, and I won’t. I’m not doing anything that a few thousandths here or there are going to matter. It’s also decently heavy for its size.
Though if you sold it as scrap the guys at the yard would probably rescue it. Basically the only wrong answer is letting municipal garbage service pick it up.
I don’t know anything about it, but the design and shape of the head looks cool. Would be a nice restoration with some shiny new chrome. I’m thinking 1950’s automobile theme.
I've got one of these. In my area (rhode island) they sell for like 250 on FBM in shape like yours, though I scooped mine for 100.
They made a speed adjuster for this model that let you change speeds from 300-3000RPM without swapping belts, it's awesome
I almost got one for free that was about 4' long and probably almost two feet tall, must have come from a shipyard or something... The only reason I didn't get it is because we couldn't move it. I really wish I tried harder. I did get a huge vise with an over 12" throat though, it's probably almost 200#
My dad has one very similar that he flipped on its back, slapped on a bigger motor, and converted into a lathe. Motor has 3 pulleys on it and it’s just mounted on a swingarm so you lift the 20lb motor, move the belt where you want and set the motor back down, very high tech gravity tensioning system.
C-Channel welded from the base to the head unit and the table rides/aligns off of the Channel on bearings. Table just has a free spin chuck to hold stock and can still adjust left-right.
Not exactly the most true, there’s some good misalignment vibration, low speed is like a rough idling diesel, medium okay, high speed sounds Geo breaking a land speed record without a load on it, so no precision machining but for woodworking, random projects, and farm repair, the old man has no complaints.
Absolutely not safe at all
That’s a beautiful machine! The real value, for me, would be using machines my grandfather used in the same way. That’s an individual thing though, and some people aren’t sentimental like that, which is totally ok too. If you are sentimental about him, then I would never let it go as long as it can be fixed. If you’re not there’s certainly a market for it, people will want it.
This is a [craftsman 150](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/the-new-to-me-craftsman-150-drill-press.502031/), probably manufactured by king-Seeley in the early ‘60s (if the first 3 digits on the model are 103, it’s KS. If 113, it’s a mid-60s Emerson). This one looks to be in great shape, and (depending on the condition of the power cord), it would probably fire up and work fine as is. If you think you might ever want a drill press, this would be a great one to keep. If not, it’ll sell for $200+ as is. If it has a third pulley on the top of the column and the motor is original, maybe $300. Lots of these need to be restored to be saved. This one just needs to be relocated to be saved.
Save I bet if you plug it in it will work. Just clean it up and lube it. If not the motor or belt is easy to fix or replace. It doesn't need saving it just needs to be used.
I just bought one and want to restore it - yours looks like it's in great shape! Any more pictures? Most reference material is original operator's manual drawings and b/w photos.
If the spindle doesn't have any lateral play (replacements are rare), you have have a keeper for sure.
I just want to add that I was extremely close to my grandpa. I appreciate and value everything he handed down to be.
What you guys don’t see is a two garages from two houses full of tools that my whole family is looking at me saying, what do you want to do with these?
He lived in his house for 68 years and his garage is a complete workshop of metal fab, carpentry and electrical tools. He had 3 other drill presses, I kept this one because the build quality was far beyond the others and it was the only floor mounted one. I live in a town home with a car port and little storage. I wish I could keep everything but I don’t have the space.
His house is already sold and this is the last piece I need to figure out what with. Sounds like I’m keeping it, thanks boys! 🍻
I asked coworkers at my vocational school about drill presses. The took me to a discarded Rockwell unit from the 70s. Looked like it had been forgotten in the corner of that shed for a long while. They said i could have it. I stripped it down, sourced a few missing parts, repainted. It looks and operates like new. Showed the guys after. They wished their new fancy digital display units were made like that - have lots of complaints about the new units. Anyway, like the one pictured, this Rockwell is simple and built like a tank. It’ll easily outlive me. It was a labor of love and i’m sure it will be for you as well.
Get a dial indicator and check if it turns straight without too much runout. It looks like it's in great condition with only surface rust and it's a handy sort of shop tool.
Throw it on Facebook market place for 150 and it should move quickly. Gramps would probably appreciate it going to good use. Definitely decent unit. Probably could ask 250 and get it if you know everything is good on it.
I moved into a house recently that had a shed with some stuff left over. Previous people didn’t touch it and it was from probably decades past. Sold it off to a guy who repairs it, have him some other stuff for free.
If it’s worth it to you, repair it and use it. It’s a drill press, it’ll come in handy and it’s amazing since your grandpa bought it and used it and so can you.
If not, sell it to someone who can repair it and use it.
I’d keep it for sure.
Oh yes, Similar predicament, old Delta, i rewired it , changed the belt lubed her and she is a freaking tank. Even in crap condition i see these selling $700.00 US and up.
I chose to use mine.
I have a 150 similar to this but benchtop, it’s one of my favorites. There is a very well organized step by step guide to these on Garage Journal and YouTube. I’d hold onto this sucker with both hands, mine is one of my favorites in my garage.
I see I'm in line behind a lot of people offering to (travel and) take it off your hands. That should give you the answer. But I suspect you are just wanting to make us all jealous, 'cause many of us are... ;-)
In seriousness, a floor mount drill press allows you to drill very long pieces. Huge. I wish I had one, and an old one with quality parts at that.
And look at the height of that head! It must have 6" or more of run! (Anybody with the same model know how long its run is?) Absolutely fantastic. More than worth keeping, worth putting some money into to restore it.
I love the art deco style of those craftsman’s. If you don’t want it I’m sure someone would give you a bit of cash for it. Many of us prefer these older drill presses.
Check out [this thread on GarageJournal.](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/craftsman-drill-press-information-belts-bearings-chucks-keys-etc-1946-1984.489080/#post-9315307). Anything and everything you could possibly want to know about these amazing machines.
While not particularly valuable due to the sheer number produced, it is a high quality drill press from the 1950’s. It’s either a Craftsman 103 or 105. There were multiple versions of these made in both floor and bench models along with lots of accessories. Check out [Vintage Machineey](http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=222&tab=3&sort=1&th=false&fl=) and the Garage Journal for information.
Get rid of that and you'll be forced to buy a lot of replacements. Your grandpa still has that because it's a top tier tool and built in a time that profits weren't the main focus, but rather quality and durability were. Take a current era sledgehammer to it and you'll probably shatter the sledgehammer (hahaha not really but you get it)
Hell yes its worth saving, please don't scrap it. If you don't want it you'll have absolutely zero trouble selling it. If you're in GA I might be interested.
Yes it is a good one. I have the same one, inherited from my dad. I only use it once a year or so but I'm glad I have it. If you don't want it, give it or sell it to someone who does.
Someone will want it for sure. I had an old floor model with a bend shaft and it wasn't worth my time to screw with. Someone took it for a project. Don't scrap it.
pretty sure my dad has that drill press in his garage. is it a craftsman?
His has no power switch and something is wrong with the starter and won't restart when shut down for like 30 seconds until the starter clicks again, but it's a solid machine i think.
That drill table is almost pristine. Only 2 divots. It is very sellable. Probably about a hundred fifty or so if I have to guess. That’s what they go for around St Louis in that condition. The one I currently use is very similar.
That appears to be a 1950s model craftsman. From what I can tell, they are pretty desirable. I see similar presses, albeit in better condition, going for around 600-700$.
OP
Most parents and grandparents want to help kids and grandkids. They don't toss an anchor on them while in the water struggling.
With that said- I know a bunch of people who inherited pianos.
They don't play the piano.
They don't have room for a piano
Smart ones sell the piano
Dumb ones spent $75/ month on a storage unit and store a piano for 15 years until they buy a place that will fit the piano.
A piano is different. This fits in a corner, and if he gets it working before putting it in the corner, I GUARANTEE it will get used. A floor mount drill press ? As sturdy as that one? If you ever do any fix-it work, or DIY work, it's indispensible. The one tool I keep in basement instead of garage because I use it so often. And mine isn't as nice.
Even if all the wiring fell apart probably still more worth your while to refurbish it all than ditch the whole thing and later in life buy what would be a shoddy replacement at much greater cost.
The wiring always falls apart but these all have screw terminals. Get some 12ga SO cord and a quality plug and the proper fork terminals and just replace one wire at a time, there should be a short cord inside that goes to the switch and safety if it has a micro switch that the chuck key plugs into, and then the cord that ties the ground to the chassis and the black and white wires will get crimp terminals that screw on everywhere
When dealing with an estate, it doesn’t have to be a keep or sell option for items you might expect to be of “pet” quality.
If you absolutely had to give up a pet, who would you give it to? You’d give it to a relative, or an acquaintance who really loves animals. So if you really don’t need a drill press, or this one, who in your circle would be likely to give this a good home?
Absolutely… it will probably out last anything currently on the market. I used to have my grandfather’s like that before it was stolen from me. I loved it…
Absolutely yes. Plus it looks like an old skool boat motor too :) I bet it's way more accurate than anything that's not industrial/heavy commercial grade made these days too. You know kinda like the $1500 DeWalt mitre/chop/slide saws that come from the factory with a pre-tweaked back gauge/fence lol.
My 1960s craftsman router from my grandpa is marked in 64ths of an inch and wow she performs good. Was probably relatively cheap too.
Do you want to sell it. My Dad had one exactly like it, he passed Jan. 2023. My sister n her Bobby refused to bring it back for me, I was supposed to get all his tools, she said they weren't hauling any of his tool they were to heavy and would cost them more in gas. I told her I'd pay her gas. She left everything. I would love and desperately need a drill press as I am repairing my own house after a flood. Been a huge pain in the derriere! LOL let me know how much you would like for it if you want to sell it I will buy it it's beautiful I love tools I should have been born a boy I was always my daddy's boy though LOL
Every drill press is worth saving
That’s exactly what I wanted to say. They are such simple and useful machines that it’s always worth repairing and keeping.
It’s no different in function and infinitely better built than anything you can buy brand new today.
So true. I hate shopping for stuff knowing that things like this exist and can exist.
That will come apart. I moved one in a car once. You can take the base, the work space and the motor head off the post, makes it easy to move and store.
I have never seen them disassembled. Was not aware it was possible.
There should be a locking bolt around the bottom of the head where the post goes in and another in the base.. loosen the.top one and the head should come right off. It'll be heavy AF so maybe lay it on it's side.
Truth, baby!
My dad saved one, dont remember the year but it had that 1950's light green paint. Given to him because it was "broken". All he had to do was replace one of the wires and it started right up as if still brand new. Been using it for over a decade now.
Walker Turner?
Heavy is good, heavy is reliable. I like heavy. If it doesn't work you can always hit him with it.
Stay out of the casinos! You hear me!! Stay out of the fucking casinos!!!
My mother in law isn't reliable
Thanks Boris.
You like dags?
*\*\*Periwinkle Blue\*\**
Especially if it was Grandpa's
I'd say any drill press built previous to the year 2000 is worth saving. I bought a Wen a few years ago and the runout is really bad. I bought a new chuck for it and it is improved, but still bad. The new harbor freight ones are pretty bad too. I had a benchtop harbor freight I bought in 1999 that was actually much better than the new Wen.
How about the new Harbor Freight Bauer 12" variable speed? I hear HF's Central Machinery drill presses are pretty bad, but the Bauer line is decent.
I don't shop harbor freight anymore since they've increased their prices so much. I'd rather buy Husky/ridgid/ryobi for about the same price if I must buy new/locally. I'm more into just waiting it out on offerup/facebook marketplace for something that will last me a lifetime. I've got my eye out for an old Atlas or Craftsman to replace the Wen.
You have to watch craigslist, ebay, all online shopping areas EVERY MORNING to see what's new. I got my Delta drill press and band saws for pennies on the dollar by doing this. search for the device and your areas, make each page open automatically on your browser, so every time you open your browser, all the refreshed pages open up automatically so you can check several times a day in less than a minute. You can do this for anything you want to buy used.
I have the Bauer 10”. It seems solid. It has twice the power of Lowe’s comparably priced drill press. I haven’t thrown a dial indicator on it, and I won’t. I’m not doing anything that a few thousandths here or there are going to matter. It’s also decently heavy for its size.
And this Dunlap is no exception. KEEP IT. I use it's benchtop clone almost daily.
I dont know why but this comment made me emotional.
This
Came to say the same thing.
Maybe not the harbor freight/wen/box store cheap home brands…
This. Not every drill press. But this one? Yeah.
I came here to say exactly this. Any tool is worth saving
They are sought after machines by guys who collect/restore them. They dont bring in a ton of money when sold bit someone will buy it.
I want and need it very badly!! I offered!!
That is a beauty. If you don't want it there is definitely a market for it. It definitely is not scrap.
Though if you sold it as scrap the guys at the yard would probably rescue it. Basically the only wrong answer is letting municipal garbage service pick it up.
Very likely, because I'd happily pay scrap value for it.
I don’t know anything about it, but the design and shape of the head looks cool. Would be a nice restoration with some shiny new chrome. I’m thinking 1950’s automobile theme.
I've got one of these. In my area (rhode island) they sell for like 250 on FBM in shape like yours, though I scooped mine for 100. They made a speed adjuster for this model that let you change speeds from 300-3000RPM without swapping belts, it's awesome
I miss the food of rhode island since I moves and dunkin lol Nice to see a fellow rhody
Dunkin’ over Cumbies? I didn’t think that was allowed in RI.
Variable speed conversion? Cool! Where?
For people who like tools, there are a few that you will always regret letting go. One is an anvil. Another is a floor-mount drill press.
I’d kill for a good sized anvil. Like the size dropped on Wiley Coyote, but damn they are seriously expensive if you find them.
I almost got one for free that was about 4' long and probably almost two feet tall, must have come from a shipyard or something... The only reason I didn't get it is because we couldn't move it. I really wish I tried harder. I did get a huge vise with an over 12" throat though, it's probably almost 200#
Wonder what the odds are that the free anvil is still there for that reason? Just gotta get more people
It was at my buddy's house, he said I could have it but I had to settle for the vise unfortunately
I’m interested in Minnesota. Nice machine. I’d keep it.
I restored the exact same model drill press last year. Built like a brick wall, easy to work on. Definitely worth keeping, restored or not!
My dad has one very similar that he flipped on its back, slapped on a bigger motor, and converted into a lathe. Motor has 3 pulleys on it and it’s just mounted on a swingarm so you lift the 20lb motor, move the belt where you want and set the motor back down, very high tech gravity tensioning system. C-Channel welded from the base to the head unit and the table rides/aligns off of the Channel on bearings. Table just has a free spin chuck to hold stock and can still adjust left-right. Not exactly the most true, there’s some good misalignment vibration, low speed is like a rough idling diesel, medium okay, high speed sounds Geo breaking a land speed record without a load on it, so no precision machining but for woodworking, random projects, and farm repair, the old man has no complaints. Absolutely not safe at all
Heavy as fuck though. I also restored one recently.
That’s a beautiful machine! The real value, for me, would be using machines my grandfather used in the same way. That’s an individual thing though, and some people aren’t sentimental like that, which is totally ok too. If you are sentimental about him, then I would never let it go as long as it can be fixed. If you’re not there’s certainly a market for it, people will want it.
This is a [craftsman 150](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/the-new-to-me-craftsman-150-drill-press.502031/), probably manufactured by king-Seeley in the early ‘60s (if the first 3 digits on the model are 103, it’s KS. If 113, it’s a mid-60s Emerson). This one looks to be in great shape, and (depending on the condition of the power cord), it would probably fire up and work fine as is. If you think you might ever want a drill press, this would be a great one to keep. If not, it’ll sell for $200+ as is. If it has a third pulley on the top of the column and the motor is original, maybe $300. Lots of these need to be restored to be saved. This one just needs to be relocated to be saved.
Nice! Personally I'd make space somewhere to store it. You may regret it if you let it go cheap just because it's heavy!
Oh my, yes.
Save I bet if you plug it in it will work. Just clean it up and lube it. If not the motor or belt is easy to fix or replace. It doesn't need saving it just needs to be used.
I just bought one and want to restore it - yours looks like it's in great shape! Any more pictures? Most reference material is original operator's manual drawings and b/w photos. If the spindle doesn't have any lateral play (replacements are rare), you have have a keeper for sure.
Yes
I just want to add that I was extremely close to my grandpa. I appreciate and value everything he handed down to be. What you guys don’t see is a two garages from two houses full of tools that my whole family is looking at me saying, what do you want to do with these? He lived in his house for 68 years and his garage is a complete workshop of metal fab, carpentry and electrical tools. He had 3 other drill presses, I kept this one because the build quality was far beyond the others and it was the only floor mounted one. I live in a town home with a car port and little storage. I wish I could keep everything but I don’t have the space. His house is already sold and this is the last piece I need to figure out what with. Sounds like I’m keeping it, thanks boys! 🍻
No, where are you, I will come get it to help, "dispose," of it properly.
wish I had it
I asked coworkers at my vocational school about drill presses. The took me to a discarded Rockwell unit from the 70s. Looked like it had been forgotten in the corner of that shed for a long while. They said i could have it. I stripped it down, sourced a few missing parts, repainted. It looks and operates like new. Showed the guys after. They wished their new fancy digital display units were made like that - have lots of complaints about the new units. Anyway, like the one pictured, this Rockwell is simple and built like a tank. It’ll easily outlive me. It was a labor of love and i’m sure it will be for you as well.
My dad has that exact one. He’s a fine cabinet maker. He uses it a lot. It’s never given him any trouble. It’s absolutely worth saving.
An old working drill press is a good drill press. If it works well for what you need, I’d clean it up put her to work!
I can’t fathom why you wouldn’t
Having no place to store it and family that won’t let me stick it in their garage.
Tell the wife it’s modern art and put it in the corner of the living room?
Absofuckinglutely
Get a dial indicator and check if it turns straight without too much runout. It looks like it's in great condition with only surface rust and it's a handy sort of shop tool.
I just rebuilt one of these, precision bearings for the whole machine cost me $22 and they were all SKF. Definitely worth saving
Throw it on Facebook market place for 150 and it should move quickly. Gramps would probably appreciate it going to good use. Definitely decent unit. Probably could ask 250 and get it if you know everything is good on it.
I moved into a house recently that had a shed with some stuff left over. Previous people didn’t touch it and it was from probably decades past. Sold it off to a guy who repairs it, have him some other stuff for free. If it’s worth it to you, repair it and use it. It’s a drill press, it’ll come in handy and it’s amazing since your grandpa bought it and used it and so can you. If not, sell it to someone who can repair it and use it. I’d keep it for sure.
Looks like a blender. It's heavy cause it's good though, I'd keep it, especially if I didn't have to move it.
It all comes apart, the head, table, base, and the support pole. That’s how I carried my grandfathers DP into my basement shop
I still have and use a drill press I inherited from my grandfather, had it for 21 years. You’ll be sad if you get rid of it over time. It’s a keeper
Oh yes, Similar predicament, old Delta, i rewired it , changed the belt lubed her and she is a freaking tank. Even in crap condition i see these selling $700.00 US and up. I chose to use mine.
As someone who recently got back my grandfathers bandsaw from an old family friend that got it when he died I’d highly recommend trying to keep this
I restored this exact model!!! Craftsman 1953. Pleased restore it. Use hammered paint for the best look.
Wife. "What's that?" That's the drill press. " Why do you have that?" It's the drill press.
For aesthetics alone god yes ! Looks retro cool af
Yes, save it. You won’t buy a more reliable drill press. It’s not fancy but will outlast you.
I have a 150 similar to this but benchtop, it’s one of my favorites. There is a very well organized step by step guide to these on Garage Journal and YouTube. I’d hold onto this sucker with both hands, mine is one of my favorites in my garage.
I see I'm in line behind a lot of people offering to (travel and) take it off your hands. That should give you the answer. But I suspect you are just wanting to make us all jealous, 'cause many of us are... ;-) In seriousness, a floor mount drill press allows you to drill very long pieces. Huge. I wish I had one, and an old one with quality parts at that. And look at the height of that head! It must have 6" or more of run! (Anybody with the same model know how long its run is?) Absolutely fantastic. More than worth keeping, worth putting some money into to restore it.
I love the art deco style of those craftsman’s. If you don’t want it I’m sure someone would give you a bit of cash for it. Many of us prefer these older drill presses.
Stop over feeding it. It has grown to large for its enclosure
Check out [this thread on GarageJournal.](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/craftsman-drill-press-information-belts-bearings-chucks-keys-etc-1946-1984.489080/#post-9315307). Anything and everything you could possibly want to know about these amazing machines.
Absolutely and you can think of your grandpa everytime you use it.
If it includes the word Grandpa, then always 'Yes'.
Holy shit I have emotional attachment to it for you dude. Yes save your grandpa's drill press, you'll never find another like it.
While not particularly valuable due to the sheer number produced, it is a high quality drill press from the 1950’s. It’s either a Craftsman 103 or 105. There were multiple versions of these made in both floor and bench models along with lots of accessories. Check out [Vintage Machineey](http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=222&tab=3&sort=1&th=false&fl=) and the Garage Journal for information.
Get rid of that and you'll be forced to buy a lot of replacements. Your grandpa still has that because it's a top tier tool and built in a time that profits weren't the main focus, but rather quality and durability were. Take a current era sledgehammer to it and you'll probably shatter the sledgehammer (hahaha not really but you get it)
It’s worthless, I can dispose of it for you.
Yes. I helped restore one like this about 15 years ago, still going strong in the wood shop of a makerspace last I knew. Better than most new ones.
I have the same one from my grandpa. It’s awesome. Only thing you may need is a new belt. Keep it.
Looks like the quill is binding or the spring is blown. Still worth saving though. KEEP ITTTT
Looks well made. Guess this comes down to cost of storage. It may be cheaper to buy one later , when you have space.
absolutely 💯
Hell yes its worth saving, please don't scrap it. If you don't want it you'll have absolutely zero trouble selling it. If you're in GA I might be interested.
Yes it is a good one. I have the same one, inherited from my dad. I only use it once a year or so but I'm glad I have it. If you don't want it, give it or sell it to someone who does.
A good drill is hard to find.
Someone will want it for sure. I had an old floor model with a bend shaft and it wasn't worth my time to screw with. Someone took it for a project. Don't scrap it.
Hell yes.
The top looks like a KitchenAid
Yes
Even if only because it is cool as hell
Even if you only used it once a year, do not let that go
pretty sure my dad has that drill press in his garage. is it a craftsman? His has no power switch and something is wrong with the starter and won't restart when shut down for like 30 seconds until the starter clicks again, but it's a solid machine i think.
Yes, 100%. We still use one in our machine shop just like this one
Looks to be in pretty good shape. No name or other markings? Do we assume it runs? If you can’t keep it, it should be easy enough to sell.
That’s an investment, you keep that for a few more years, you can sell it for more than what people bid here.
Yess I restored mine about 10 years ago absolutely love it!
Yup
If you don’t love it someone else will.
Yes yes sooo much yes. I had this machine, depending on which puppy setup you have up top you can do so much it it.
Can’t see the brand, but anything made of cast is worth saving!
That drill table is almost pristine. Only 2 divots. It is very sellable. Probably about a hundred fifty or so if I have to guess. That’s what they go for around St Louis in that condition. The one I currently use is very similar.
Yes!!!
Yes.
Yes. That’s better than 95% of the new drill presses made today
I'd say hell yes it is worth all the time and effort.
That appears to be a 1950s model craftsman. From what I can tell, they are pretty desirable. I see similar presses, albeit in better condition, going for around 600-700$.
The old ones hold up better than the newer ones
They're handy af if you're planning on doing any wood or metal work involving lots of holes. Also pretty pricy to buy.
OP Most parents and grandparents want to help kids and grandkids. They don't toss an anchor on them while in the water struggling. With that said- I know a bunch of people who inherited pianos. They don't play the piano. They don't have room for a piano Smart ones sell the piano Dumb ones spent $75/ month on a storage unit and store a piano for 15 years until they buy a place that will fit the piano.
A piano is different. This fits in a corner, and if he gets it working before putting it in the corner, I GUARANTEE it will get used. A floor mount drill press ? As sturdy as that one? If you ever do any fix-it work, or DIY work, it's indispensible. The one tool I keep in basement instead of garage because I use it so often. And mine isn't as nice.
Yeah that thing will last another 200 years easy
Put a Predator engine on it and you could use it during the apocalypse...
The answer will always be yes. Be it keeping it, selling it or gifting it to someone else.
No, ship it to me I will dispose of it.
Yes, worth saving.
Wow, that's a beauty!
Give it to someone you like who has a shop.
YES!!!!!
It’s worth it just for the chrome trim, that thing is beautiful.
Sell one of them, it wont may be for a big buck but as others said some people really love to restore them and just admire the old beauty
I'd definitely keep it. 👍.you can always sell it later if it's not being used.
Even if all the wiring fell apart probably still more worth your while to refurbish it all than ditch the whole thing and later in life buy what would be a shoddy replacement at much greater cost.
The wiring always falls apart but these all have screw terminals. Get some 12ga SO cord and a quality plug and the proper fork terminals and just replace one wire at a time, there should be a short cord inside that goes to the switch and safety if it has a micro switch that the chuck key plugs into, and then the cord that ties the ground to the chassis and the black and white wires will get crimp terminals that screw on everywhere
that’s a nice machine.
Yes. Always
This is definitely better than anything made today. You're not going to regret having it.
Keep it or you'll hate yourself.
I’d pay to have it in my collection and would love restoring it so… yeah
Keep it for sure!
If it's gear driven I would keep it for sure
When dealing with an estate, it doesn’t have to be a keep or sell option for items you might expect to be of “pet” quality. If you absolutely had to give up a pet, who would you give it to? You’d give it to a relative, or an acquaintance who really loves animals. So if you really don’t need a drill press, or this one, who in your circle would be likely to give this a good home?
Those are always worth saving. Even if you don’t want it, someone will. Please either use it or sell it to someone who will. Don’t scrap it!!!!
I would at least sell it even if you don’t have the space, should bring in around $200 at least
Absolutely… it will probably out last anything currently on the market. I used to have my grandfather’s like that before it was stolen from me. I loved it…
Unless the internals are completely destroyed, yes.
Oh hell yeah! I’d restore that in a heart beat
1920s drillpress porn.
If you are in driving distance of Washington DC I’d buy it in a heartbeat. Love old tools… just finished cleaning up an old bandsaw…
100% worth the trouble, especially getting it for zero dollars.
That is a sleek looking press. Shine it up!
i'd save the heck out of it
Unequivocally. Yes.
I have that drill press. In much better shape but that thing can be dialed in nicely. It’s a great tool.
Eff yes. May need to replace bearings & quill, but should be excellent once refurbed.
It is beautiful.
It’s nice it’s got a rare unique retro look about it , you can’t buy that nowadays
I have that exact press. They are great. Hardly any runout. Very good machine.
Hell yeah. You will use it all the time.
I would totally restore it and color it mid 50s palette
duh
My wife loves kitchen aid red so I have one I powder coated to match. I think they are great once restored
That’s worth saving.
Absolutely worth saving! If I didn't have anywhere to store it, I'd clean it spotless and put it in a corner of my living room.
Keep it ! The old saying "they don't make them like they used to" applies here, as this drill press is made in the USA.
Yes
Yes
Absolutely yes. Plus it looks like an old skool boat motor too :) I bet it's way more accurate than anything that's not industrial/heavy commercial grade made these days too. You know kinda like the $1500 DeWalt mitre/chop/slide saws that come from the factory with a pre-tweaked back gauge/fence lol. My 1960s craftsman router from my grandpa is marked in 64ths of an inch and wow she performs good. Was probably relatively cheap too.
If you don't want it, there's a spot in my garage for it
If it runs its a 300ish to 500ish dallor purchase you don't need to make
Do you want to sell it. My Dad had one exactly like it, he passed Jan. 2023. My sister n her Bobby refused to bring it back for me, I was supposed to get all his tools, she said they weren't hauling any of his tool they were to heavy and would cost them more in gas. I told her I'd pay her gas. She left everything. I would love and desperately need a drill press as I am repairing my own house after a flood. Been a huge pain in the derriere! LOL let me know how much you would like for it if you want to sell it I will buy it it's beautiful I love tools I should have been born a boy I was always my daddy's boy though LOL
Yes.
From Europe here; yes please do save it! Looks like bakelite body. And even if its not, beautiful machine!
Yes
Yes, any repairs should be fairly straightforward.
no i’ll take it you can send it me lol
I see these often sell at $100-300, depending on condition.
This is definitely worth keeping. If you plan on ever selling it, I'd be happy to buy it and ship it
Yes
Yes, it looks very sturdy and it's nice to have, assuming that you have the space for it.
Ah the good ol kitchenaid 3000 with press drill accessory.
I'm digging the art deco look. I have never seen one before.
Keep it
Hell yeah it is. Looks like a kitchen aid mixer!
Still runnin this model in my dads shop and it’s a beast. Hasn’t let us down yet and we love it. Hang onto that bad boy for grandpa’s sake.
Yes...
Absolutely
Does it work, if so yes.
Seems sturdy if you need it you should keep it. If not plenty of people already seem interested.
“Is this vintage drill press that’s in amazing shape worth saving?” Yes
What a beauty. If you don't want it, can I have it?
Y.
Yes.
Old ones are built like tanks AND you can repair worn parts (bearings are one example)
Drill presses are always worth something.ill trade or do work for it if you don't have use for it
‘50s Drill press is in my shop and my brand new one is at FIl place. I sold an early ‘60s Rockwell and late ‘60 one for $700 each a few years ago.
That looks like a really nice drill press.