In the last two weeks, I have bought the two pieces of equipment that I have been looking for and now I think my shop is complete as far as vintage power tools are concerned (until I see something else).
I have a Rockwell/Delta drill press, but for me it just wasn’t old enough. I walked into the auction house as a way to get away from Trick-or-Treat night. Wasn’t really looking for anything but then I heard this little beauty calling my name:
It is a Companion (Companion is the cheaper Craftsman line that ceased manufacturing in 1940) model 101.03540 11” bench top drill press: complete with keyless chuck from 1939 with a matching vise as a bonus. It had an old GE 1/4 hp motor on it, but the power cord was three pieces spliced together and I happened to have a spare Companion 1/4 hp motor, so it had to go.
Now all I need is an older Band Saw. I have been looking for a Delta 14” but it seems like current owners think these models are gold plated. I did not want to pay the prices that people were asking for. I decided that a 12” Craftsman would also be a model that I would accept. I searched the local auction house listings and read CRAFTSMAN Band Saw. Figured I’d go look and see.
Last night I bought the last piece:
It is a model 103.24260 (King-Seeley) 12”. I think that is the shortest drive belt I have ever seen. I paid a little more than I wanted to to get the Band Saw, but like I said, it completed the shop. $80.00 for both pieces. They are both a little rough to look at but that isn’t anything I haven’t dealt with before and that is half the fun of buying these pieces of old Gold. So now with this Band Saw replacing my Rockwell that I have, all of my power tools are older than I am. I know that Craftsman woodworking tools get a bad reviews and comments, but I think that is because people are not truly aware what they were like years ago. All totaled I have spent approximately $250.00.
Now all I have to do is finish refurbishing everything that needs it.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
9 comments so far
nobuckle
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1046 posts in 926 days
#1 posted 918 days ago
There’s nothing like a classic. I think that the older machines are just as sexy as older muscle cars. A friend of mine has and old table saw that I think is a Craftsman but I’m not sure. From what I’ve seen online the original color looks like bronze. You would know better than I. Anyway, I can’t wait till he refurbs it. The bad part is that he gave away the universal stand that was original to the saw. Evidently there was only one kind of stand for the various power tools in that line. All I know is that I love the look of those vintage power tools. They seemed so art deco.
-- Doug - Make an effort to live by the slogan "We try harder"
Bearpie
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2474 posts in 1183 days
#2 posted 918 days ago
I agree that the older Craftsman tools are worth their salt but not the newer tools today.
Erwin, Jacksonville, FL
-- Erwin, Jacksonville, FL
Lip
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158 posts in 2215 days
#3 posted 918 days ago
Speaking of salty … the only thing better than vintage tools are vintage sailors … Happy Veterans Day Dude … Hope you had a good one!!!
-- Lip's Dysfuncational Firewood Farm, South Bend, IN
brianinpa
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1809 posts in 1888 days
#4 posted 918 days ago
Thanks Lip! Any day above ground is a good one.
Nobuckel does the saw look like this one?
It is this saw and this color that got me started in using the old Craftsman machines.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
Dennisgrosen
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10854 posts in 1280 days
#5 posted 918 days ago
congrats with your new toy´s
may you play them well and they sing for you .-)
Dennis
MedicKen
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1560 posts in 1627 days
#6 posted 918 days ago
Nice finds!! See ya at owwm…...
-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist....medic20447@gmail.com
Tim
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1292 posts in 1730 days
#7 posted 918 days ago
Two great additions to the shop Brian, be sure to show us pictures when you have them all cleaned up!
-- Good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from poor judgement.
Beginningwoodworker
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13225 posts in 1838 days
#8 posted 854 days ago
Those are some neat tools.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
brianinpa
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1809 posts in 1888 days
#9 posted 854 days ago
Charlie that should clean up real nice. In addition to the old tools being a higher quality than the ones made today, I think the lines just look better on the old iron. Today and 8” table saw would look like a box and nothing more. Yours just looks cool.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
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