Rockwell Drill Press Restored

**rossbotics** · Apr 30, 2016, 03:34 AM

I know this isn't a homemade tool, but I enquired if it was ok to post this restoration, there were a lot of things that had to be refabricated
How I acquired this drill press was by making a #4 morse taper spindle for this guys wood shaper, It was an even swap,
I love old machines and most of my machinery is from the near graveyard and have been restored to beautiful exact working tools, These things were machines !!! and I love them, these are the kind of machines I started out on when I was an apprentice.

I had to make all new handles , knobs , center idler pulley, replaced all belts, all new angular contact bearings and upper spindle bearings, it had a few minor cracks in a couple small castings that were brazed and remachined, I downloaded the original decals and badges from Vintage Machinery website and transferred them to decal paper, I could read the original badges but they were in terrible condition, I made a spindle speed chart, a lot of button head stainless screws, and whole lot of stripping and preparation, it was painted 3 coats of rust oleum hammered grey.
I found the original owners manual from Vintage Machinery and that was a tremendous amount of help

Below are some photos and a video of the restoration
As always thanks for looking and happy machining

Doug

Below - before restoration

Below - before restoration

Below - before restoration

Below - after restoration, a lot of TLC

Below - after restoration

Below - after restoration

Click image for larger version.

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Below - after restoration

Below - video link showing the drill press running

**Frank S** · Apr 30, 2016, 07:55 PM

Doug thanks for saving another piece of old iron. I too, have a special affection for vintage machines.
A friend of mine's dad has a Buffalo Forge 25 that has been laying in the weeds for 20 years, that I have been trying to get hold of. When I apprenticed at a blacksmith & welding shop back in the 60's we had one almost exactly like it. I spent countless hours working with that old machine. So I really want the one in the weeds bad.

**DIYer** · May 2, 2016, 08:23 PM

Thanks rossbotics! We've added your Drill Press Restoration to our Drilling and Drill Presses category,
as well as to your builder page: rossbotics's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Drill Press Restoration by rossbotics

tags: drill press, restoration

**Paul Jones** · May 3, 2016, 08:04 AM

Doug,

I love looking at all types of tool restorations and vintage machinery so thank you for posting your drill press restoration. I like your eye for detail with the button head stainless screws. Also, one of my favorite little extra touches to finishing the look and feel to tools.

Nice work,

Paul