Welcome! 

Register :: Login
Machinery Photo Index
Manufactured/Badged by:
Sears | Craftsman
Chicago, IL

True Manufacturer:
Atlas Press Co., Kalamazoo, MI
Machine Specifications
Machine Class: Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type: Drill Press
Machine Size: 15"
Submitted By: Fred Koebrick
Machine Specifications
Description/Model: 101.24810 Bench Model
Date of Manufacturer: Est. 1945
Serial Number: none
Last Updated 7/20/2010 12:14:22 PM

Comments:
Restoration of a Craftsman Drill Press Model 101.24810. On July 1, 2010, I acquired this Craftsman Drill Press (DP) from the son-in-law of the original owner. He was not sure of the original purchase date. The DP spent its life doing duty in a Spokane, WA area machine shop. It was brought to Rapid City, SD a few years ago by the gentleman who inherited the DP from the estate of his father-in-law. As you may see the the photos it was well used and maybe a little abused. But upon bringing it home, i plugged the DP in and tested the motor and spindle operation. They both worked superbly. So, I completely disassembled the DP down to the cast iron parts. I bathed all the parts in a tub with GUNK Foamy Engine Cleaner which worked great. Then it was off to the car wash for a good high pressure wash and rinse of all the parts. The high pressure cleaning also removed about three layers of various colors of paint. All machined finishes and bright work were thoroughly de-rusted with a combination of Bon-ami and green Scotch pads and hand rubbed with Turtle Wax rubbing polish. I also dipped the ends of the lock handles in Plasti-Dip for an updated look. All cast iron parts received three coats of Rustoleum primer and finished with an additional three coats of Rustoleum gloss lacquer. The Dunlap Model 6960 split phase 1/3 HP motor received the same treatment as the DP and was thoroughly cleaned, primed, and painted. To pay homage of the many years this DP spent doing duty in the machine shop I endeavored to keep as much of the patina as possible by not over polishing the machined finishes and bright work. I rewired the DP switch and motor as the wiring was in bad shape and neither was properly grounded. I can't believe no one ever got shocked by this thing! The DP had a three pronged plug but the ground wire had been cut dead. So it looked grounded but really wasn't. The original color of the DP was possibly a blue/grey but I chose a color green that reminded me of some early industrial machines. I downloaded the SKF Ball Bearing decal from OWWM (thanks) and printed it using Testers Decal Kit. Besides the wiring, the only other necessary repair was the quill tensioner, which did not take long to repair and now works fine. I am still trying to source a few parts to complete the restoration. I still need the spindle cap, spindle depth stop assembly, and the spindle lock nut. So, if anyone knows of where I can source these remaining few parts, i would greatly appreciate hearing from you. I have put this DP through the paces and can say that it operates wonderfully. I am sure that I will get many, many years of good use from this DP. The old steel desk that the DP is mounted I salvaged from a scrap yard, cleaned primed, painted machine grey and cut a new 3/4 MDO top for. This was my first restoration of this type and throughout I remained excited about the project. I can say that I truly enjoyed the restoration, including the research. And the OWWM website proved to be an outstanding tool for this purpose.

Photo 1:

Comments: Finally finished and mounted.
Source: My HP 627 camera
Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: Close up of the Craftsman badge
Source: My HP 627
Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 3:

Comments: Right side close up profile
Source: My HP 627
Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 4:

Comments: Rear profile showing the Dunlap Model 6960 Motor
Source: My HP 627
Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 5:

Comments: Ready to reassemble
Source: My HP 627
Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 6:

Comments: How this DP looked the day I brought it home.
Source: My HP 627
Direct Link
IMG Code