Drill Press Restoration

Beautiful job!

How far do you take it? That is, do you just do a cosmetic cleanup (paint/rust removal) or did you get inside and replace bearings, etc.?

I hope the PBR wasn’t just for grease removal 8^)

Nice job!
I really like it when an old tool is cleaned up, painted and put back into service.

-- A bad day woodworking is still better than a good day working.

Thanks, guys! I was fortunate that, despite it’s rough appearance, it ran like a dream when I got it, so the bulk of the work was cosmetic. It did have a broken return spring, but luckily it was only the last 1/4 or so that sets into a slit in the spring housing. The un-tensioned spring had enough slack for me to just make a new bend in it to fit the slit.

It still bothers me that the switch isn’t original, but I don’t think my wife will approve the price to purchase the original haha.

Nice job!

-- When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world. -- John Muir

You did a really nice job restoring it. I like it because of the single lever handle. Mine has a three spoke handle and is sometimes a pain to bring the bit to the material.

I like the old patina look myself, but you’re work brought this old work horse back to its former glory. Enjoy using and stay safe…BC

I have the same drill press. Mine is a 1955 vintage. Your restoration makes her a real beauty. I believe the belt guard was a deluxe feature add on at the time. Thanks for sharing.

Eric

-- I keep cutting and it is still too short. http://mypam.blogspot.com/

She’s a beauty. I’m a sucker for older equipment like this, the classic styling and all metal components look so cool, especially when compared to today’s plastic stuff. Great job on bringing this one back to life.

Hard to believe it’s the same machine.
Nice job !

Realy amaizing tranformation and makeover. I like the idea of tool restauration.

-- Ivan, Croatia, Wooddicted

Really nice job.I love before and after pics are restoration projects.

-- Jeff,Tucson,Az.

You did a great job and have a wonderful machine. I really like the older drill presses and have enjoyed restoring a few.

-- "Join the chorus if you can. It'll make of you an honest man." - I. Anderson

like Terminator…. ”old, but not obsolete” !

What a great restoration! There is something that is just so cool about bringing old tools back to life. Well done!

-- Jake

Nice job! I love those older machines; they’ll last forever.

-- Steve, in Morris County, NJ