The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Hand POWERED drill press

I recently found and inherited my great grandfathers hand POWERED (yes, that means manual) drill press. It says "champion blower and forge company Lancaster PA" on it. It uses a bit with a flat side and a set screw to hold it in. My dad has used it several times and says he has drilled thru 1/2" metal without a lot of effort. My questions are : does anybody know how old this is? My dad told me his grandfather, who died in the early 40,s, said he bought it second-handed in the 20's. Any ideas on websites that might help? Also, can i find bits for it? I am considering having a machine shop make a shaft that will fit and tap the end for a modern chuck. I am not concerned with the value, just think it would be neat to use a tool that my great-grandfather used,who was a wagon builder. Thanks!

IMHO, this is a family heirloom and therefore priceless. You are a lucky man. This past Saturday I saw a human powered drill press in use on the PBS show The Woodwright's Shop. You might drop them an email or better information forthcoming on this site, move it to The Greasy Spoon for more exposure?

Thanks. I will try the the spoon!

blu - they're called "post drills", had a big one in a shop I worked with had bits to about 2" - from waaaay back, maybe 1700's in "industrial" England - commonly used by blacksmiths well into the 1900's - I think Champion is a fairly common maker of ones still found around the US today - they are quite a good machine if they, included "auto feed" like most used in machine shops for metal - a little about adding a chuck

Bill

Thanks!!! Mine is not exactly like either one of those, but that is it. The ratchet arm is broke, otherwise mine works well. With these pitcures, i will be able to fix it!! Ain't the internet grand!!!

If you want to convert your chuck to a modern Jacobs style chuck check out ebay for a 1/2" chuck with a 1/2 straight shaft like they use in a milling machine. If ou have acess to a lathe you can make the straight shat adapter your self and use a chuck from a old 1/2" electric drill and do it on the cheep. You can braze the ratchet arm back togeather but be careful as the metal is realy old and sometimes brittle. I have a old post drill that i use every day and have grown to love it. When you go to set it up take great care to get the table square with the chuck. Take care of it and your grandchildren can pass it on to their grandkids. If your intersted in smithing I think there is a blacksmith club in yor area called BAM.

Thanks for the tips. I am really interested in getting this thing working again. Any idea where that club is from? Probably don't have the time for another hobby, but sounds kind of interesting.

I'm not sure where it's based at I'll check on it at our next blacksmith meeting. I might be able to help if you need smith tools or other such tings. By the way I go by your area on the way to see my daughter any good old time junk yards in your area. All the ones around here have been picked clean.