Delta Milwaukee Rockwell Homecraft Drill Press: Restoration Complete
#10
I picked up this DP in pretty rough shape a few years ago (see photo at bottom), and it sat around on the floor collecting dust since then. Recently, I decided to try my hand at a restoration, and this is the result. Details

Paint: Rustoleum Hammered Verde Green for main color, Rustoleum Hammered black for the motor end bells and the retirement light shade. Used a Rustoleum de-rusting spray to deal with the rust, which was not widespread. I used a degreasing chemical made by Castrol to clean everything prior to paint prep.

Bright Work: all non painted parts were brought back to new condition with a combination of work on the wire wheel and deburring wheel. This includes all nuts/bolts/washer/anything else that was not originally painted. Work table surfaces were a bit of a disaster: learned an awful lot about grinders/flap wheels and the differences between finishing wood vs. finishing cast iron.

Guts: I did change the bearings on the motor. The bearings on the press seemed to be in good shape, so I used liberal amounts of grease/oil to get things spinning like a top. So far, so good. New power cord/plug/belt were added. New nameplate on belt cover, original nameplate on body. Drilled/tapped for 4-40 machine screws to re-attach both.

Retirement Light: picked this up on ebay around the same time. I think it adds a little class to the overall build. I will be outfitting this with an LED bulb.

Work Table: I will probably outfit this with a WW work table: the Veritas table is the front runner at the moment.

Overall experience: an awful lot of time/effort was expended on this. Probably explains why you don't see more of these rehabs. It was a great learning experience, but it will be a very long time before I attempt another one of these projects. Right now, I need to get back to a WW project that has been on hold for way too long (the Writing Desk).


   

   
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#11
It looks great from here.  I have great appreciation for restored "arn" but I have no desire to start down that long difficult path.
"I tried being reasonable..........I didn't like it." Clint Eastwood
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#12
It looks great.  You have quite the pair there.
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#13
Those are a couple of cool DPs.  I've restored a couple old pieces of iron, but they don't look near as sharp as yours.  Well done.
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#14
Well done indeed. Looking good!
Mark Singleton

Bene vivendo est optimum vindictae


The Laws of Physics do not care about your Politics   -  Me
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#15
(04-12-2021, 07:45 AM)MarkSingleton Wrote: Well done indeed. Looking good!

.......................
Old ARN RULES...especially when it has been given a new life!!!!!!!!
Winkgrin
Often Tested.    Always Faithful.      Brothers Forever

Jack Edgar, Sgt. U.S. Marines, Korea, America's Forgotten War
Get off my lawn !
Upset





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#16
Thanks everyone for the kind words!
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#17
I have that exact drill press! Dear, old, longggg departed dad bought it brand spanking new many, many years ago and took excellent care of it. Still runs like a top!
Waiting to grow up beyond being just a member
www.metaltech-pm.com
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#18
(04-14-2021, 02:18 PM)Tony Z Wrote: I have that exact drill press!  Dear, old, longggg departed dad bought it brand spanking new many, many years ago and took excellent care of it.  Still runs like a top!

Its a beautiful piece of machinery for sure!
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