I restored this old blacksmith post drill about two years ago.  I found it at a flea market late in the last day of sales and the owner did not want to take it home.  He offered it to me for $10 dollars!   I put most of the parts through my electrolysis tank and painted and lubed everything.  I made a shaft for a standard Jacobs chuck so that it can now accept standard drill bits.   It was lagged to a nice piece 2 inch thick maple which I sanded lightly and sealed with Linseed oil.  I use it periodically and it is fun to drill with. It  is not the greatest wood drill because of its slow speed but it does shine when drilling metal.  I have cut 1 inch holes in 1/4 inch plate steel with it and it was not very difficul at all.  It is a cool piece of mechanical history.  I apologize that the picture is a bit dark.

Edited November 21, 20178 yr by Ron Dudelston
tags added

have got to love ole 'arn..

That is so awesome.. I have one just like it waiting to get restored. Can't wait till I get this shop addition done so I can work on it.

 

Sometimes, woodworking is not only about the wood!

 

Saving something like this is very high on the cool scale.

Sweet!  I think it is so great to see something like this saved from the scrap yard and you know that is where is would have gone.  Nice rescue.

Wow! Thanks for posting that drill press. My Dad had one and my big thrill was to sit on the bench and turn the crank. I was about 5 or 6. He tried to adapt an electric motor to it and it was never the same.

40 minutes ago, Joeb41 said:

Wow! Thanks for posting that drill press. My Dad had one and my big thrill was to sit on the bench and turn the crank. I was about 5 or 6. He tried to adapt an electric motor to it and it was never the same.

My 8 y.o. Daughter may still wear it out.  I had to teach her carefully about how open gears can smash little fingers but she loves to watch everything move together!  I have seen a few with motors attached to whe wall and I have to agree that it isnt the same that way.

Great find, pick and restoration! Even better is that you're using it occasionally too. Is there a manufacturers name or patent dates or other identification markings on it? Thanks for sharing...enjoyed your stories as much as the press. Maaayybee...we can get a plug in from your post to-reactivate the "old arn" forum...just typing out loud. 

I found very little in way of markings on this one.  I have another one, much rougher, in the shed that is Champion Blower and Forge.  It has has its main casting welded.  It must have had a hard life!  It was in the shop at home when we were kids so I keep it.  I dont know about the old iron thing of which you speak,. It may have been before my time here.

1 hour ago, Bundoman said:

I found very little in way of markings on this one.  I have another one, much rougher, in the shed that is Champion Blower and Forge.  It has has its main casting welded.  It must have had a hard life!  It was in the shop at home when we were kids so I keep it.  I dont know about the old iron thing of which you speak,. It may have been before my time here.

Know what you mean...I've got tools that belonged to both my grand-dads and dad I'll likely never use, but never get rid of...hope to instill that in my two grandsons...

 

The Old Woodworking Machinery is in the archive section on the Home page...I'm still reading through it but there is some unbelievable items & restorations there. Seeing what you've done, I think you will enjoy it too.

http://thepatriotwoodworker.com/forum/16-old-woodworking-machinery/

A great restoration job, Brent. 

Thanks Grandpa  for the link and Gene for the kind words. OWWM is how my shop rolls.  I have almost nothing that is much newer than me (1971 model) in my shop, although most of mine have not had nearly the "spit shine" that a lot of the archive entries have.  Most of mine are just a freshen the mechanicals approach with new bearings, belts etc. and back to work.  

 

Some examples:  1950's Unisaw, Delta Scroll saw, and Craftsman belt sander, 1960's Powermatic bandsaw, 1970's Powermatic lathe,Delta 8 inch Jointer, Craftsman drill press, DeWalt Radial Arm saw.  Half of the fun is getting them working like they should.