Photo Index - Buffalo Forge Co. - Buffalo 15 Drill Press

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Buffalo Forge Co.
Buffalo, NY

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Drill Press
Machine Size:	15" Swing
Submitted By:	Matthew Asser

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Buffalo 15 Drill Press
Date of Manufacturer:	1948 approx.
Serial Number:
Last Updated	8/4/2023 8:26:49 PM

Comments:

This Buffalo 15 came out of General Motors, Oshawa, Ontario, in the late 40s. It's a workhorse that has seen years of Trojan service and deserves a gentle retirement.

My neighbour, who had it passed to him from two uncles, gave it to me. Stewardship is now my responsibility and I'd like to strip it completely and restore as much as I can. I'm fond of it not only because it came from my most excellent neighbour; But also because it is a "big brother" to my Canadian Buffalo 13 (see pictures posted here). They'll look great side-by-side.

All parts, other than the head, have a parts tag in addition to the IDs cast into the pieces. The table tilts and has 11170 cast into the underside as well as a badge that reads B71. The column mount has 11166 cast into it as well as a badge that reads B70.

Because of this I believe the head came from Buffalo Forge in the US, with the balance of the pieces being from Canadian Blower and Forge (Canadian Buffalo) where the unit was completed before being shipped to General Motors. There is also a 2.5' column for bench mounting. This is how I have it set up now in preparation for dismantling.

The motor is original and has the following specs:
o 'Edgerite Motor': T. Eaton Co. manufactured by McKinnon Industries, made in Canada
o Model 2590C, Serial No. 12149
o ½ HP, 7.5 amp, 1750 RPM, Single Phase
o 'Thermal Protection' label is mounted at the rear and it also has a goovy switch plate

At owwm there is a Bulletin No. 4024 dated 1957 that describes the "All New Buffalo No. 15 Drilling Machines". The photos in that bulletin show a square housing around the quill and the switch mounted in the front of the machines. There is also a full pulley housing on top.

On this model the housing around the quill is round rather than square, and there is no switch mounted into the front. It looks similar to the other 15s posted here but there are a couple of design points that make it seem a little different. I wonder if this is a transiton model from the old style to the new. You can see a weld repair just below the Buffalo logo. Cast into the head just below the Buffalo logo are the numbers 11172. The motor mount has a tag that reads B72.

This model has a front pulley guard rather than a full pulley housing. As well, the guard is heavy sheet metal rather than cast found on these machines. The pulley cover is also missing the Buffalo decal. I think this is a replacement of a cast original.

The chuck is a 5/8s Jacobs 3B. There are two grease points: 1st is on the front, 2nd is at the top just under the front pulley. I don't think these are original. The lower one is where a set screw usually resides as a stop, as well the threads don't match. The top grease point seems to have been added later, the threads here don't match either.

There is a weld mark that runs from the column through the logo. There is a smaller weld in the same spot on the opposite side. Possibly the result of over tightening by zealous autoworkers. However, my neighbour said that these weren't repairs, but rather mock repairs so that the machines could be decommissioned. These "decommissioned machines" could then be purchased and joyously added to home workshops. Why are cars so expensive?

The base reads Canadian Blower and Forge Co. The base has 11192 cast into it as well as a badge, just to the left of the column that reads B73. The table has a few "liver spots" . . . signs of old age. I'm mulling over filling these with something like JB Weld or simply leaving as is.

Photo 1:

Comments: The red colour is a later paint job and will be repainted dark grey to match my Canadian Buffalo 13.
Source: My web cam

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Photo 2:

Comments: Obverse. There is a small weld under 'Buffalo'
Source: My web cam

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Photo 3:

Comments: Reverse. You can see weld marks here as well.
Source: My web cam

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