Photo Index - Walker-Turner Co., Inc. - Radial Drill Press/RD1175J

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Walker-Turner Co., Inc.
Jersey City, NJ; Plainfield, NJ

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Drill, Radial
Machine Size:	32" arm, 18" RAM travel , 4.5" spindle travel,
Submitted By:	George R. Hoelzeman

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Radial Drill Press/RD1175J
Date of Manufacturer:	1942
Serial Number:	7-642
Last Updated	2/12/2012 10:52:22 PM

Comments:

Machine was acquired via e-bay. The only thing the seller knew was that the drill press came from a small shop and that it ran. They relisted it three times before the price came down to what I was willing to pay, and now its in my shop.

When it arrived it was covered in a heavy coat of greasy dirt from years of use in a metalworking shop. I have been looking for exactly this type of machine for years for use in my woodworking. This machine was exactly what I needed, but first it was clearly going to need some cleaning. Also, as Dave Potts pointed out to me even before I bought it, the ram collar/yoke was backwards. The seller did not know why.

As I disassembled and cleaned the machine, I made several discoveries. Bearings for the RAM had to be replaced (center bore is 17mm) - thanks to John Hutcheson for his extensive photo guidance here. I disassembled and cleaned everything from the motor to the collar, and reassembled. on the spindle housing, I even stripped and repainted it (the easiest way to clean the gunk). Once reassembled and wired, I tested it and it works marvelously. Runout on the spindle is .00125" and deflection is .006" - plenty accurate for my purposes.

The only missing parts were the chuck key and spindle cone. The only broken part was the vertical adjustment handle, but someone had rewelding it and it is still very much intact.

Everything on this machine is cast iron - there is a band of sheet metal on the motor, but that's it. Castings are pretty rough, except where they are machined for precision.

Marvelous machine.

10 June 2007 update: Thanks to the serial number index posted by Tom Murrah I now have a more accurate picture of when this machine was built: 1942 based on the S/N. The model number is RD1175J apparently.

Thanks Tom

Photo 1:

Comments: Machine after I stripped and repainted the base. I decided I don't like the horizonal black bars, so I'm going to repaint them.
Source: GRHStudios

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 2:

Comments: The Badge - somewhat muddied by accidental contact with carb cleaner
Source: G.R.H.Studios

Direct Link
IMG Code

Photo 3:

Comments: Drill press from rear. Side panels on base are me trying to be "artsy." Notice my makeshift spindle cover.
Source: G.R.H.Studios

Direct Link
IMG Code