Wilton Drill Press

[Highland512]

I have been on a search for a good heavy duty drill press for several years now. I could have gone to the Hobo Freight or big box store and got one that was "good enough" but I had my mind made up. I was following an online auction that was on the way home. This sale with mostly house hold crap, I put in my max bid and walked away. To my surprise I won and went and picked this up last night. The best part was the old timer that had the sale was there. He said he bought this brand new and the only thing he had ever done with it was wood working and he had also replaced the motor in 2015 with a brand new 3/4 hp Baldor. By the time I left he had scrounged around and found to old metal coffee can full of drills and end mills, I think he was just glad to see it was going to someone who was going to enjoy it. After I got home we reassembled, plugged it in, and hit the power button I almost felt bad for getting it for $104............almost. Anyone on here have any knowledge on these? I was curious of the year of manufacture. My bet is the 48 in the serial number is the year of manufacture. 

[j.a.f.e.]

Can't answer your question but you couldn't have done much better with a gun. That looks like a great machine.

[bmwrd0]

About 1970, give or take.

I would start poking around here http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgIndex/detail.aspx?id=904&tab=3 , you should find out what you need.

[jabberwoki]

Yep, vintage for the win.

[Uncle Buck]

I think Clausing offered one of that basic design years ago. Those are real monsters as drill presses go. Not sure but I think they are geared head machines. I have never operated one myself,  nor seen one under power. Learn more from the "dirty paper" manuals at Vintage Machinery as already mentioned.

Congrats you killed it on that deal.

[Uncle Buck]

About 1970, give or take.

I would start poking around here http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgIndex/detail.aspx?id=904&tab=3 , you should find out what you need.

I agree with that age estimate.

[goodfellow]

Great acquisition!!!

I don't think Wilton ever actually manufactured their own drill presses. They sold rebranded machines, and I think (just by the looks of it), that this model is a 1970's vintage PowerMatic 1150.

[Highland512]

I think Clausing offered one of that basic design years ago. Those are real monsters as drill presses go. Not sure but I think they are geared head machines. I have never operated one myself,  nor seen one under power. Learn more from the "dirty paper" manuals at Vintage Machinery as already mentioned.

Congrats you killed it on that deal.

It's belt driven, the adjustable speed is controlled from the driven pulley. As you crank up the speed the driven pulley expands which creates a smaller diameter. A very similar system is shown in the video below.

Great acquisition!!!

I don't think Wilton ever actually manufactured their own drill presses. They sold rebranded machines, and I think (just by the looks of it), that this model is a 1970's vintage PowerMatic 1150.

I would agree with Wilton not making these in house. I have seen a Delta/Rockwell that looks nearly identical, so someone was making and privet labeling them. The Delta machine in the video above is similar but different in many small ways.

[Uncle Buck]

Similar design to my old variable speed 1957 Craftsman, however much heavier I suspect.   Variable speed happens through split sheaves that open wider and closes resulting in the belt running faster or slower as the belt drops deeper in the sheave, or conversely the belt riding higher in the sheave when the split halves of the sheave come together or close through speed adjustment. 

Not educating members that already know this, intended for those not familiar with this.

[Elroy]

Great acquisition!!!
I think (just by the looks of it), that this model is a 1970's vintage PowerMatic 1150.

That sure looks like a PowerMatic in Elroy's eye.