Photo Index - Boice-Crane Co. - Model 1600 Bench Style 15" DP w/ Mortising Attachment

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Boice-Crane Co.
Toledo, OH, then Gothenburg, NE, Chula Vista, CA

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Drill Press
Machine Size:	15"
Submitted By:	Dan Grade

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Model 1600 Bench Style 15" DP w/ Mortising Attachment
Date of Manufacturer:	1936-39 (Estimated)
Serial Number:
Last Updated	5/27/2011 5:13:12 PM

Comments:

I bought this drill press from an out-of-town CL ad because it was a sad case in need of a good home.

It is missing the 5-step pulleys and the entire upper spindle assembly (which connects the spindle pulley to the head casting and ties the pulley to the spindle). If I don't eventually run across those parts, I may try a hand a making the mandrel that ties these parts all together. Also missing is the pulley guard - not quite as critical of a part.

A little history: This model and the floor standing version (Model 1610) were the first drill press design produced by Boice Crane, first seen in their 1936 catalog. Note the oval BC logo on the head castings, and the spindle which is round with a pair of opposing keyways cut in (as opposed to the traditional star pattern spindle that seems to have become the industry standard soon after this). In the 1940 catalog BC introduced the "Helmet Head" 2600 series drill press which had the new design of spindle assembly. Sometime after that they updated the 1600 series to incorporate that design spindle assembly into the 1600 head, at which time the 1600 line became the 1650 series. Aside from its different spindle assembly design, the 1650 can be distinguished from the 1600 by the fact that the 1650 has the round BC logo rather than the older style oval one. It is unknown when the changeover occurred because they used the same line drawing artwork in their catalogs all the way from 1936 through the 1948, after which the 1600-1650 series was apparently discontinued. The model 1600 series of drill press are fairly rare, especially compared to the number of 1650 series still around. That would suggest that the transition from 1600 to 1650 happened sooner than later after the 2600 series was introduced, probably once they had re-engineered the head and when their stock of the old style 1600 heads was exhausted from their inventory.

Some elements of the design of the 1600 series seems to have been in transition over the years. Of the few bench top samples of this drill press I've run across, I've noticed 3 or 4 different designs of bases. This version has the T-slots opening up to the back rather than the front, and the shape is tombstone style. Finally, this DP uses gravity and friction to hold the table in place (when the large pin is in place to catch on the column) rather than a traditional clinch bolt.

The hinged motor mount, with its special "convenient cast integral hand grip level" is a nice useful BC design. I wish my big 17' Delta DP had that!

This drill press did come with the factory catalog option of a mortising attachment. Hopefully someday I'll get this functioning so I can give that a try!

Photo 1:

Comments: The DP in as-bought condition.
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Photo 2:

Comments: The early BC oval logo cast into the head.
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Photo 3:

Comments: I haven't seen this style base yet on any other BC DP's.
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Photo 4:

Comments: This is the table bracket and the pin which locks it in place on the column when it is hanging free.
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Photo 5:

Comments: The head casting model number. Later versions will show 1650.
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Photo 6:

Comments: Catalog photo - they used this same artwork from 1936 through 1948.
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