UPDATED: Still taking in the good machines.

ron_m80

ron_m80

Tempered Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
8,155
I found some of that great old school equipment for just under $300 the other day :D I can't wait to get this stuff rewired for the garage. That's an old Buffalo Drill press.




I don't understand how people can just disregard the old equipment, this stuff is bullet proof and serviceable. You will not get new stuff with so much raw material used in it's construction, everything is value engineered now.
 
Last edited:
Nice disc grinder. I LOVE scoring old equipment for cheap, that stuff is built better for sure.
 
Well I got the equipment home and started getting them moved into the garage. The Buffalo press, has most of the old cast iron covers in place, I think it will need a bearing change out though.

The Grinder is awesome, It looks like there is an active particulate moving system. I scratched my head for a few minutes wondering what that was until the light bulb came on.

20111209163020.jpg

20111209163046.jpg

20111209152546.jpg


I am going to get busy cleaning all the machined surfaces, checking the Blanchard grind out on the table, chipping the old paint and getting maybe some old farm house red paint for the cast metal surfaces. Those plastic knobs on the press handles will probably be brass soon.
 
Last edited:
That drill press is gonna be a beauty Ron. Looking forward to seeing it refurbished.
Bringing back old machinery to their former glory is one of my favorite things to do. Not that knifemaking leaves me much time but still.
 
Thank you gents for the interest and reassurances.

I will keep the thread posted on major improvements. Finding a source like this for such a good price feels like winning the lottery to me. I can see how you parallel it to knifemaking Patrice. There isn't enough really rewarding sweat of the brow work left to do in the modern world.

I was trying to explain to me son the value of this old heavy equipment, and how quickly it is becoming priceless and irreplaceable.
 
paintedl.jpg

That is about as far as I have gotten in one weekend. Some major components inspected stripped and repainted.

I was able to get the grinder 100% apart. It is an integral friction driven particulate blower that is hidden in the Grinder base. This shot is the volute, followed by the plenum.
20111211110500.jpg

20111211110529.jpg

20111211110549.jpg

20111211115416.jpg

The grease feeder is 100% (I thought that was the adjustment), the brass sleeve bearing was a surprise too, now I need a spanner wrench to set the blower in motion too. It will clean up very well after I replace the synthetic drive wheel for the blower, it is rubber and has dried out so it can't handle the friction.
 
One more just got added to the shop. I think I can actually proceed with this equipment. Hopefully, anyway.

Some updated pictures for anyone that likes old machines. I am in the debt of three people for their help locating, moving, and otherwise assisting in these acquisitions.

The Buffalo press is taking extra time, I couldn't remove the brad's and save the brass plackards, so it is slow and easy with small tools to chip the old paint from the drill press head. I also have noticed that this is not the cast iron I know, this is more like cast steel it does not rust easily. I am very happy with them.

detailsx.jpg


I started cleaning, stripping, and painting this one last night. These are great machines.

famco612.jpg


Here is a shot of the oil trough cleaned out and painted, this will make keeping the machine clean easier, and it will make all those metal shavings easier to collect, I have a feeling I could use them for polishing somehow. The Blanchard grind cleaned up nicely, it was the first thing I cleaned off to see what I really had.

oiltrough.jpg


This plate got put to use pretty quickly. It's already holding things.

grinders.jpg


grinders.jpg
 
I'm not sure what happened to some of those photos, but there has been some slow progress since the last update. I am especially happy with the way the switch plate cleaned up, when I removed the paint and cleaned most of the underlying dirt I was able to preserve the patina that was hidden under it as well. I have since added an 2 Ton Arbor press, a bench vice, and mounted both of those on a concrete slab table using concrete anchors. I also lucked out and was basically gifted a 1913 Trenton Anvil. I am sure the equipment investment will pay off in my work later. Here are some picture updates.

buffaloandswitchcover.jpg


I managed to get this one leveled and a suitable pad in place to help stabilize it. I cannot move the machine anymore, the saw alone is about 3-400#'s I believe.

famochorizontal.jpg


This is the Buffalo as it sits now. I just got it leveled, wired up and re-bared on the bottom I also back filled it with some masonry brick I had laying in the back yard. I finished the form Friday, and I hope to get the concrete in it today.

buffalopress.jpg


I have been very fortunate with these acquisitions. Everything I have been able to source for my shop so far has been American made tools. I am very happy. The last time I tallied up the bill I am around $4000 invested so far.
 
Nice restoration job!
 
I agree, those are looking good and it's worthwhile to take care of them for their own sake. Imagine how many cool things have already been made with those tools, and how many people fed their families by using them! Can't wait to see you put them back to work :)
 
ron_m80 said:
I have been very fortunate with these acquisitions. Everything I have been able to source for my shop so far has been American made tools. I am very happy. The last time I tallied up the bill I am around $4000 invested so far.
Click to expand...

Way to go - I think you done good.
I know you will really enjoy using them in your shop for years to come.
 
Thats some good stuff, love old tools. With a good restore they will last another 100 years more then likely. If taken care of the next person or two that owns them wont have to do much and will probably thank you for it lol.
 
Well Sunday afternoon, turned to evening and it all ended well. I think I managed to channel some innner Mason because the finish got better. I should be able to break the form in another day or so. My 9 year old boy came out and helped me big time, he played cement mixer and pourer, while I packed the form. He is a big boy, but 180#'s of concrete was alot of work for a guy his size.

drillpressset.jpg


I will keep the thread updated. Thank you all for the kind words and comments.

I have decided however prematurely, my first knife (I make for others) will be a Barlow. Simple pattern, basic materials, and the bolster will bear the name of the man who helped me get most of this equipment. An honest to god old time fabricator, and scientific researcher. "Lucky" will be stamped onto the bolster of the knife.
 
Last edited:
I think Lucky should be stamped on your back side, scoring such nice equipment for the price you did!

Looking good, and wonderful job preserving a tool for the next several generations!


-Xander
 
fast14riot said:
Looking good, and wonderful job preserving a tool for the next several generations!


-Xander
Click to expand...

Thank you. I told my son, if he doesn't like them when I am done with them, they will likely be worth more as "raw materials" than as tools by then.

Mike Quesenberry said:
Gotta love those old machines:thumbup:. Looking forward to seeing them all done up and purdy. Nice job.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be able to show them off if they were done any other way. Thank you Mike.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top