Photo Index - Sears | Craftsman - 103.24530

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Sears | Craftsman
Chicago, IL

True Manufacturer:
King-Seeley Corp.-Central Specialty Division, Ann Arbor, MI; Ypsilanti, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery & Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Drill Press
Machine Size:	15 1/2 inch
Submitted By:	John Hough

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	103.24530
Date of Manufacturer:	1958/59
Serial Number:	None
Last Updated	7/6/2012 6:13:42 PM

Comments:

The day before Father’s day, while looking through the local CL ads, I happened on an ad for an “old Craftsman drill press”. The CL image was small, dark and grainy but I could see it was a 15” King-Seeley, and power-bronze, so dismissed it and moved on to the next ad. It took a few seconds for the image to register when it occurred to me that there was more to the to it than I originally noticed. I went back to the ad and looked more carefully at the photo. Mounted to the table was what looked to be an Atlas universal cross vise. Joy of joys! And it was $75. I reasoned that at that price, I (and a dozen other guys) could keep the vise, re-sell the drill press and have a “free” vise. I immediately sent a quick note saying I’d buy it if it was still available and sat back and waited for the “sorry, already sold” reply. The next day was Father’s day and the girls had the day planned so I wasn’t able to check email until that evening but they were both cheering me on hoping they could call it a Father's day gift. The email arrived just after we left that morning...asking to meet that afternoon. Of course, we didn't get home until late. Damn! So, sent him another note saying sorry, could we try again. I didn’t hear from him Sunday evening or Monday morning so again I thought – gone. The next day, I checked after lunch and there was a note from the seller apologizing to me for the mix-up and asking me to call him to arrange a time. And it was only an hour away. I dropped everything and hauled a**.
It took four hours to disassemble and clean the vise – about 8 for the drill press and motor. But what a sweet little drill press. Everything is in working order and all the parts are there. I was amazed that, after cleaning the gunk off it, that there wasn’t much corrosion (thanks to all that cutting fluid splashed everywhere) and the paint, not a color I'd usually pick, kinda grew on me. The bearings are fine (tight and quite) and it runs smoothly. The only thing I painted was the motor band (no gold stock) and mount assembly – both had a lot of corrosion. Everything else is original – it even has the original cord, still flexible, and plug (I checked the wiring, connections, motor connections, etc). The only apology is the chuck won’t close to zero (I don’t have a press to get it apart). Then I checked it for run-out - .001! The delta has .004 with the column up and I can use a rule to measure it when it's fully extended! So now I’m thinking maybe I could find a mortise attachment for the delta and just keep the old girl. Oh, I'm good with the color now...and the vise ain’t too shabby either! Hope you enjoyed.

Photo 1:

Comments: Before cleaning - as found from the seller
Source: John Hough, Nikon Coolpix

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Photo 2:

Comments: After Cleaning
Source: John Hough, Nikon Coolpix

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Photo 3:

Comments: Motor before cleaning/paint. Only the band was painted.
Source: John Hough, Nikon Coolpix

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Photo 4:

Comments: Motor after cleaning and painting. Only the band was painted - the bells and mount were given a coat of brown Kiwi shoe wax to freshen them!
Source: John Hough, Nikon Coolpix

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Photo 5:

Comments: Atlas W68 Universal Vise before cleaning
Source: John Hough, Nikon Coolpix

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Photo 6:

Comments: The "duo" after cleaning/refurb
Source: John Hough, Nikon Coolpix 51C

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