Fixing an old 1940’s Drill Press

My Woodworking Design Series: rlnk.cc/frankh...
A friend gave me an old bench top drill press. I could not say no to an old tool so I brought it to the shop. It's a Powr-Kraft drill press from around 1940. It has a 1/2 horsepower single phase motor. Upon inspecting the drill press seemed to be in good working order with almost no rust. I noticed some vertical play in the spindle and took the spindle apart. I discovered that a small collar had slipped its location and was allowing the vertical movement in the drill press spindle. I fixed this and put everything back together again and the drill press seems to work perfectly. I made a new wooden table for the drill press that has two T tracks for hold downs. I also made a fence to hold small objects against. I put the new drill press by the CNC machine in the shop. I hope to get a lot of use out of it.
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[@CFDEngCo3]

There's nothing more therapeutic than drinking a nice cup of coffee on a cool Sunday morning while watching a Frank Howarth video.

[@pete3897]

at 4.20AM

[@tolndakoti]

I think I know why the motor and mount is so unusual. Back then, drill presses didn’t come with a motor. You had to buy it separately. The retailers/manufacturers didn’t even sell the press + motor as a package deal. So those motors are multipurpose, and the original owner bought a model that can reverse. I’m restoring a Rockwell Delta Homecraft drill press from late 50’s, and learned this while researching.

[@ronitsingh85]

very true, if you see older catalogs, they give the prices of the presses only and then with the motors. cause back then you could use any motor of the approbate size to mount onto the mounting plate and chose, 1/3, 1/2, 3/4 or 1 HP depending on your needs.

[@DustinSeiger]

I completely understand the “can’t say no to old tools” feeling. My dad always said a tool is the only thing that pays for itself.

[@anthonydtobias]

"A tool is the only thing that pays for itself" 🤔 very well said! Your dad is a smart man! I like that saying.

[@rivengle]

Unless you have an Adobe subscription.

[@DustinSeiger]

rivengle Adobe is an electronic tool 😋

[@rivengle]

@@DustinSeiger An evermore expensive one that you can never pay off. :(

[@MJ-nb1qn]

I never turn anything down but the covers!

[@jkrende]

So the reason you would run a drill press in reverse. (I work in a steel shop so this is something we need to do from time to time.) When you are drilling Steel and want to get your hole dead on, you use a center punch to mark the center of the hole, and you can leave the table loose where it can move. You lock the rotation, get the drill spinning backward, feed it down. With a bit in and running backward instead of cutting, it will "pull" the work piece into alignment - your punch mark with the center of the bit. You lock the table, double check, and then go on and drill your hole. good way to get very close to dead center as long as you punch hole in the right place.

[@ahbushnell1]

Have you been in that shop a decade! That means I have been watching you a decade. Time flys.

[@909sickle]

That was nice of your brother to stop by and help

[@AJR2208]

Hi Frank, I have an idea for your antique post drill - Find a nice old rustic post, make a base on castors & a work table to hold a vise (or two) then use the drill as a tapping machine so you can make your own threaded inserts, furniture screws & connector nuts. This way it can be both ornamental as well as a usable tool for your shop. Stay safe and well :)

[@edstengel2495]

I inherited a similar 1940's Delta bench top drill press from my dad, who got it from his dad. Sentimental value to me, so I restored it much like you did. The table was exactly as yours and was a pain to move up and down on the shaft. I cleaned and oiled both the shaft and bracket, but it was still tough to move and kind of heavy. I bought a small hydraulic bottle jack that I keep under the table. When adjustment is needed, just loosen the handle holding the table to the main shaft and use the jack to raise or lower the table. Works like a charm.

[@Alanbataar]

As always, a pleasant video. Two things: 1) the spring housing has a hex on it specifically for tensioning and de-tensioning the spring - it's safer/easier to do with a wrench, and... 2) the web next to the holes on the underside of the table is meant to capture a hex nut, and the top would be screwed down from above with a countersunk flathead screw. The fastener you used is undersized: the fasteners should fill the slots, and the nut will work as intended.

[@frankmakes]

interesting, that makes perfect sense.

[@migo-migo9503]

I love these old drill press. So much quieter than than the newer ones and more features. The quill travel is also much farther than what you can buy these days.

[@gregj2647]

I have an old 1940’s vintage Craftsman drill press that looks a lot like yours. When I got it from my uncle, the shaft was bent but I was able to get it straightened at a machine shop. I don’t use it very much because it’s not very user friendly. The table is very difficult to move up and down, but after watching what you did with the table, I might have to start using it again. Thanks for the informative video 👍

[@paulrowley71]

Fantastic. Pretty much in original condition. It’s been well looked after and good that it’s been overhauled to give many more years of useful life. Great job.

[@robtowle1580]

As a fellow Portlander I woke up feeling super agitated with smoke, fire and pandemic anxiety. Watching you work on restoring this old tool was just the calming distraction I needed. Thanks man!

[@dalejones4186]

Hi Frank. The reverse is for left handed drill bits used to remove busted bolts,screws and set screws. Great drill. Thanks for sharing. Love your videos.

[@jefferywright4204]

Frank - The anti-clockwise feature is for left handed drill bits which you use with screw extractors for normal right hand thread screws and bolts that are broken. Hope this helps.

[@joe1569]

you have a soothing, calming voice. this makes your videos quite enjoyable.

[@nicolaspillot5789]

The pulley cover is just magnificent.

[@WillFastie]

When you first built the shop I thought it was huge. Many of us are no doubt looking forward to your new project, building the shop expansion.

[@runedyrting8476]

I am surprised to hear that Power Craft is such an old company. Great work!

[@Cooper_42]

Today’s Power Craft tool company isn’t the same one as this “PowerKraft”.

[@Retroweld]

I love the aesthetic look of these old machines. Great job Frank.

[@bkh1324]

Hey Frank thanks for all the content. With the table not moving up and down very well many you can spring the metal that gets squeezed together. Usually a slot there just a screwdriver and a turn. Thanks again I think of you as a machinist wood worker!

[@ensen89]

Imagine you have one drill press set up with special jigs to drill the same hole in multiple pieces a lot of times. And for some reason in the middle of the operation you get the need to drill something else. ;) A secondary drillpress is a usefull item in the shop.

[@OlivierGomis]

The play that was on the shaft could have been made on purpose by the previous owner, to use for power taping threads, combined with the reverse it can be realy useful.

[@kilianstumpf5048]

Thought exactly the same! Fits the fwd and reverse mode perfectly

[@frankmakes]

I was beginning to wonder if it was set that way

[@devansimpkins9265]

How do you not have a check mark by your name yet!?

[@loucinci3922]

Nice find. Good job tracking down the slop issue.

[@sampickett3843]

A real treat to witness you thinking your way through putting the drillpress into useful service. The table build at the end was like the cherry on top of a dessert.

[@davehumphrey6431]

Nice storytelling. I loved the way you matched the shot of the press with the overlay of the drawing near the beginning...and the clever positioning of your hand at 7:00 in, to cover the hole where the shaft came in. Very nice! Great job.

[@borninthewrongcentury2993]

I recently acquired a drill press very similar to this one but made by Duro Manufacturing. It didn't need any work and it's been a very useful tool in my shop. I love having a machine with so much history.

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

that cover on the top looks like a sultan's hat. A beautiful old tool. The red of those tracks is a nice pop of color too.

[@jobkneppers]

I think the ring should be turned up against the spindle to push the drill chuck of the Jacobs taper which is a press fit. Thank you for your great content!

[@garyK.45ACP]

In the late 60s I was in college and working as a machinery mechanic for the University Hospital. I did all sorts of maintenance and repairs to equipment...pumps, motors, fan units, compressors, etc. We had a drill press just like this one in our workshop. Worked great! Enjoy!

[@lv_woodturner3899]

The vintage motor was likely sold to be used on different machine with different rotations. Good to see an oldie-but-goodie given a new life. Dave.

[@back-corner-turnings]

This is to cool. I’ve had this exact drill press bolted to my bench for about twenty years now. I love it. Quiet, accurate and dependable.

[@storylineamerica4108]

Guarantee that drill press would out perform anything built today!

[@VeraTR909]

Your mellow video style helped me through a panic attack. Thanks, and these old tools certainly deserve the love ;)

[@curtismakes]

Nice. It's nice to have extra drill presses for operations where you just leave the same bit in. Pre-drill bits, countersinks, etc. Great work!

[@stevedigby883]

I enjoy your videos and always learn something. The table with its fence and T tracks is very well done. Thanks.

[@jeremyo3072]

Frank’s home for lost and wayward tools. I feel you man. I acquired drill press number 4 this year. All range from 1930s to 1950s. I just can’t say no!

[@benoitbeaudin6144]

I feel old tools sometimes work better than new ones. I'd like to see a video on your sharpening setup for your tools. Mainly your lathe gouges. If possible!

[@GroovThe]

Survivorship bias - only good tools survive 80 years.

[@frankmakes]

I have that somewhere, but i forget what video it's in.

[@jocofi5852]

frank howarth it’s at the end of your bench grinder video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aquup3eMjqZ9r8k

[@eriks7198]

Hey Frank, dont worry about putting force onto that chuck to get it off. It is a Jacobs taper with a threaded ring on top, you need to break that tapers hold using that knurled ring. Use your adjustable spanner to grab the hole. I find it helps to put a big allen key in the chuck then hold that in a drill vise. This will give you the leverage needed to turn against the knurled nut. Great drill press!

[@MukYJ]

Holy radial arm saw collection, Batman!

[@James.......]

Very nice old tool. I enjoyed your narration

[@benjaminreinhardt259]

Clever trick on the support leg to floor support. I like it, will save that trick for use later. Thanks.

[@girliedog]

Great job on this old beauty.

[@arraybytes]

I had to watch your video because I have the same drill press. Have had it for 10 years now, use it all the time. The motor was replaced in 56 with one from Sears on mine, and I am missing the belt guard. But love it.

[@nashvillain171]

*Frank on a rainy Sunday morning is the best Frank!*

[@larryg3326]

Rain!? You got rain? You can bet Frank and a whole bunch of us wish we got some rain.

[@wayfastwhitie455]

Very cool drill press with a nice new addition.

[@Mr2at]

Watching a Frank Makes is a great way to end the week.

[@dennispope8160]

The easiest way to make sure you’re spinning your spring in the right direction is to have the spindle dropped down and then spin the spring till the spring pulls the spindle back up.

[@pheehzero]

Yes, it goes in the same direction you want it to go CCW or up.

[@ronupshaw]

Doood - your speech in the sequence by the dust collector was stellar. Very long, no stutters at all. Nice work! Impressive. I’m learning a little more about it, but still don’t understand it. Seems to be an anxiety/comfort issue?

[@jimbecker5675]

Very nice restoration and setup for that great machine.

[@jessewoollen-danner3754]

I no joke, did this exact same procedure on some old iron. I have an old Rockwell press that was exhibiting the same issue. We may have been doing this at the same time. Thank goodness for old woodworking machines .org

[@Big-Wonka]

You can't beat vintage tools. They're built like a tank. I love my 1940s delta unisaw. I also have an early 50s craftsman drill press. Not like the junk you buy nowadays.

[@chinaman1]

Agreed, that's why I love woman from the 1940s. They don't feel a thing!

[@namewarvergeben]

I wonder how much of that is just survivor bias. Crappy tools of old just wouldn't have survived until now. And quality tools of today may last just as long, but they're not the ones you buy for cheap. Not that I have any numbers either way

[@Big-Wonka]

@@namewarvergeben That's true. But they also didn't make tools out of plastic either. I know what you mean those. Cheap tin tools from the 50s aren't around anymore. I just think the chance of getting a quality tool in 1950 is higher than now.

[@macedindu829]

This goes for appliances as well. It's sad that everything is built like crap today.

[@jimchval2331]

Glad to see you and your family are doing well with the fires in Oregon,Nice find for the old drill press.

[@jlebowski8556]

I build a little sled for my grinder and the bottom front edge has a thin piece of material to catch the lip of the work bench. Now I can put it anywhere along the length of the bench and when I am using it the lip prevents it sliding back (and the weight keeps it from moving other directions).

[@gstellmon]

Loosen the screw on the back of the table, put a flat-blade screwdriver in the slot and tap it once to spread the clamp. Cleaning the pillar doesn't get rid of the goop on the inside of the clamp ring, but loosening the clamp slightly will make the table go up and down a lot easier.

[@MJ-nb1qn]

Hoping it’s good ductile cast iron. I use a bottle jack and series of wood blocks to raise my floor drill press table as it’s too heavy for me. It’s a cast table, then I bolted a mill type slotted table that tilts, then a 2” wood table to the mill table. I use it for metal and wood fab. And yes I’m nuts!

[@paulkolodner2445]

A suggestion: chamfer the bottom front edge of the fence. That creates a space for sawdust to collect, so you don't have to carefully sweep it all away after each hole.

[@keithspencersr.6806]

Love old machine, just so simple ideas

[@woodywood1951]

It's nice when your twin brother can help you... Someone, years ago someone sold me an old wood lathe, and I had to do like you did: restore it. But I now have a very good old wood lathe. It's good to work with the old machines: they bring back some memories (the good one, of course!) I like those kind of videos! Thanks Frank. Good luke with these oldies!

[@ianblackman1953]

Regarding moving the table. Did you see the handle at the rear of the table. It is used to tighten and loosen the table , I think. Check it out. Love you work man.

[@billqqq]

Very nice! I have my Grandfathers PowerKraft bandsaw from the same era. Also can never turn down free (or even not so free) antique tools.

[@fillg]

When the video opened with the empty workbench, I was expecting a "POP" and a drill press would appear. Sure would've been easier to pop it in there than to carry it in and down the steps 😃

[@rtk1122]

Thanks so much for this. I have a 50’s era Sears drill press with exactly the same problem. The design is fairly close and I’m confident now I can get it working as good as the day my grandfather bought it.

[@ralfhedstrom]

I remember when that shop was new...it looked huge....and look now, it's cramped with tools :) Perhaps time for a new shop? ;)

[@frankmakes]

ha! that would be nice

[@xoxo2008oxox]

Frank, your videos are not only informative, but your production value is always amazing! Love the "pop" sound effects and the split screen (your clone). You make great wooden projects AND great videos! Great restoration of the drill press and that fence...who does that??? You do!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Great job on fixing the old drill press Frank! Thanks for sharing the video with us!💖👍👌😎JP

[@TF856]

With that reversing switch you can undrill holes. Some people use drill presses for tapping holes. There's several videos on here about it. It also gives you more flexibility for putting sanding drums or wire wheels or grinding wheels on your drill press. You can also use that drill press for removing really hard to remove screws. You could even put a fan blade on there and blow the dust up or down, your choice. 😆

[@MsRmaclaren]

One can never have too many tools. Love old tools!

[@veronica5896]

Love old tools - and the people who takes the tima to restore them!

[@matthewb8229]

My dad has a freestand Delta drill press from, at least the 50's. One of these days, it will be mine. Oh yes, it will... *insert maniacal laughter here*

[@fryreartechnology7611]

The reverse can be handy. I have maybe left hand twist drill bit that screw machines use or for drilling out broken bolt then hitting them with a easy-out. Awesome old machine you have there.

[@BencoVintageMachineWorks]

It's a beautiful machine originally made by Duro Metal Products - Chicago. They produced a number of machines sold under the Powr-Kraft name.

[@catsupchutney]

Reverse for left hand twist bits.Left hand twist bits for drilling holes for screw extractors.

[@k13ehr]

Thanks Frank, as to production values, I think yours are second to none, you must have previous occupational skill in that area, if not then you are a bloody good amateur.

[@mrbenmall]

That's an awesome friend!

[@wyldflowerfilmwerks6008]

Just kicked it up a 110 percent, fixed it and added a table vids are great!

[@billbaggins9961]

I really enjoy your relaxing voice overs. All of your videos are so professional and a treat to watch. Thanks for sharing... Colorado

[@davidvandijk6284]

Maybe the reverse and vertically moving chuck are made for tapping. The vertical play allows for easier tracking of the tap while tapping. Modern milling machines have chucks with the same feature. Maybe I’m completely wrong though

[@keithviolette5870]

The set screw in the end of the pinion shaft (where the down feed handle is) is to stop the down feed handle from sliding. I would guess it would usually hold the handle in the middle unless you needed a lot of pressure, in which case you can extend it for more leverage.

[@DaneSaysStuff]

Video came up in my recommendations. All I can say is holy heck is that thing clean! And that table set up is super slick! If you ever sell them, I'll be first in line to buy! Woodworking isn't my thing.

[@gregmislick1117]

ARGH!! Frank, you're busy lining up 2 of everything...I'm still working on 1 of anything ! lol I have no fears that you will find a way to use it regularly once you work it into your process flow, similar to the Radial Arm Saws. Nice little reto-mod there Frank, congrats

[@jeffreythree]

Nice old iron! I just picked up a 1952 Delta floor model drill press at an auction to replace my Harbor Freight bench top drill press.

[@SteveC38]

Nice Job as Always Frank!

[@nordyfamily]

great work as always Frank

[@frankbusuttil2572]

Nice Frank. Old drill new table. Good combo. But the spring. You didn't wind the spring back on. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

[@holzwerx]

Great little project! Love seeing such practical content! Made my lunch break extra fun!

[@cassia_cries]

gorgeous machine

[@ronitsingh85]

that art deco front pulley cover is enough to own one for me, its so unique and beautiful. Walker Turner, Delta and other manufacturers had this design from the 30s-50s. Love it. Whats better than a drill press that functions beautifully and looks beautiful, right?

[@BobBlarneystone]

Hmm, on the auxiliary table, a circular sacrificial insert that is offset might be better. It can be rotated a bit each time to provide a fresh backing surface for drilling.

[@devinholland2189]

That locking collar on the chuck means you can use it with side loads like router bits.

[@nathanworkman9069]

hey frank just wanted to give a bit of advise with the stuck table on the press. a few months and i redid our old one me and a friend got it was covered with rust and wouldn't move. i unbolted it and completely removed it my taking off the base and sliding it off. i soaked it in vinegar to get the excess rust off and wire brushed the shaft Along with the inside of the shaft clamp on the table. after hitting it with a little wd40 it works like new. figured it might help. keep up the good work.

[@KristopherGrove]

I was just browsing Craigslist for used drill presses in Wash and this popped up. Great stuff!

[@lucab.6600]

Frank, amazing, as usual!

[@TheMichaelBJohnson]

Love the personality of your details. So great.

[@HeikeWoolard]

That was a nice and easy fix.

[@mirceabascuti]

Hi Frank, the fact that the drill press has forward and reverse is because there are left hand drill bits. Also it is useful if used for power tapping. The chuck in the drill press is usually pressed in with a Morse taper shank.

[@harveysmith100]

Reverse is for left handed drill bits and for backing out cutters that get stuck.

[@nwblacksmith]

Been watching for a long time and love your videos. Prudence the Safety Goat would be bleating right now. The power switch requires you to lean in while the press is running. Just the thing to grab a shirtsleeve or front and wind you up. I would do a two-gang electrical box under the base. Switch in one space and a duplex outlet in the other. Plug the drill press into one outlet and a magnetic light in the other - the more light on your work the better. Otherwise, great score - looks like a solid piece of machinery.

[@EdwardT9]

Dave Halliday I also didn’t like seeing the long reach for the switch. It should be easy enough to mount a modern safety switch to the front of the machine.

[@thunderstruck1078]

You need 2 opposing wedges to take off the chuck. Mr Pete (Tubalcain) did a video on this topic.

[@grizdeluxe]

My old drill press chuck is actually screwed in from inside the bottom of the chuck, and then you use wedges to take it off of the Morse Taper spindle.

[@etheroar6312]

@@grizdeluxe As I recall, sometimes, the screw has a left hand thread.

[@dhollm]

The wedge is called a 'drift' I think

[@nicolaspillot5789]

@@etheroar6312 left hand screws. This. Is. Important. I stripped a chuck screw on my first time. Lesson learnt, pass it on !

[@arnhemseptember2009]

Nice machine. It just has natural quality...

[@MadebyJester]

On the chuck: That threaded collar above the chuck is designed to hold the chuck snugly against the taper, which keeps it from falling off when applying lateral pressure (e.g. spindle sanding). The same collar is also used to force the chuck *off* of the taper -- so don't be too afraid to use some force on the collar. Eventually, the chuck will just pop off. (I've just done this operation on a sixties-era drill press I acquired).