Piece of old iron

[Matthew Brawley]

Picked up this Powermatic Model 1200 20” drill press last night. Cheap auction win. 419576

[Patrick Kane]

Nice one, how much? I’ve been looking for a 1200 for years.

I’ve never seen one in person, are the tables on a rack and pinion system?

[Matthew Brawley]

Don’t hurt me but I got it for 150. The production tables like this one are on a rack and pinion system. I am debating on doing a restoration to it, trying to flip it to put towards a mill or just knock the rust off or use as it is.

[Mike Wilkins]

Knock the rust off and put it to use. This is some serious old iron built when tools were made to last and will serve you well for many years.

[David Buchhauser]

I like it!!
David

419591

[Patrick Kane]

Yep, that’s a great deal. Three phase, I take it?

I see them listed somewhat frequently, but I’m not paying $800+ for a 40 year old machine out of a metalworking shop. There is one listed in Pittsburgh for $1200, I think.

[David Davies]

Not much bigger than your current drill press I see.
Dave

[Matt Day]

Not much bigger than your current drill press I see.
Dave

I’m sensing some sarcasm.

—————-

I hope it’s 3 phase. A VFD is a perfect match for a DP to add super simple variable speed. Sweet deal at $150. Those are a lot heavier than they look.

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And Matthew, I know you were waiting and hoping someone would ask you how much you paid. Lol

[Matthew Brawley]

Yes it is 3 Phase have a VFD waiting on it but this is about #3 on my list of projects. Definitely needs some cleanup work done and some new chucks for it.

Yeah the other oress is my wood only machine so no oil/grease gets on it.

[Rob Charles]

Wow! Congratulations on a great buy on a even greater drill press.

[Jim Becker]

Whether you just clean it up or do a full restoration, that's worthy of staying in your shop...it's a fine tool and as someone noted, built back in a time where there was often a lot more attention paid to quality and beefiness.

[Matthew Brawley]

Yeah heavy is one word to describe it. Really close to 600 pounds.

[Will Boulware]

I think you REALLY need that mill you're talking about. I'll gladly give you your money back on that so you can focus on your real goals. :)

[Alex Zeller]

A company i worked for threw 2 of them out. The insurance company said that the make shift guard they had to have wasn't good enough and threatened to drop us. It was cheaper to replace them. Sad but when they do come up in an auction they usually go for cheap because most commercial shops can't have them.

[Bruce Page]

If you know how to use a mill, a drill press, not even a PM1200, can compare.
JMO

[Matthew Brawley]

If you know how to use a mill, a drill press, not even a PM1200, can compare.
JMO
Yes, there is no comparison between the two. So far I started my tool fund by buying an antique dining table got $5 and flipping it after refinishing. Also have picked up a Stanley #2 for $10 that I am going to sell. Will most likely list the drill press for sale if I sell it great and if not I have a good drill.

[David Buchhauser]

If you know how to use a mill, a drill press, not even a PM1200, can compare.
JMO


If only he could find a nice used Bridgeport for anywhere close to that price.
David

[Patrick Walsh]

I have also wanted a pm 1200 for years. I have found two in that time. One has been sitting with a $1500 price tag local to me but no way I’m paying that for it.

I also just assume a mill but my problem is the space. I may go with a small mill at some point. I need a good education first on what I should purchase long before that happens.

All I can say is lucky you. For $150 that’s a deal. I’d have to tear it down and go nuts restoring it. Ever see the benchcrafted guys PM 1200. It’s freaking beautiful!

[Matthew Brawley]

I have also wanted a pm 1200 for years. I have found two in that time. One has been sitting with a $1500 price tag local to me but no way I’m paying that for it.

I also just assume a mill but my problem is the space. I may go with a small mill at some point. I need a good education first on what I should purchase long before that happens.

All I can say is lucky you. For $150 that’s a deal. I’d have to tear it down and go nuts restoring it. Ever see the benchcrafted guys PM 1200. It’s freaking beautiful!

Most I saw locally was around $800 to $1000 in this condition. I will probably list it for that and see what I get. I would love an old Monarch lathe, Bridgeport mill and a K&T horizontal mill

[Bruce Page]

Yes, there is no comparison between the two. So far I started my tool fund by buying an antique dining table got $5 and flipping it after refinishing. Also have picked up a Stanley #2 for $10 that I am going to sell. Will most likely list the drill press for sale if I sell it great and if not I have a good drill.

I flipped a SIP jig bore that I bought for $500 and refurbished. I traded it for a mill & lathe, plus a 16” rotab that I still have today. I used the mill this morning.

[Tom Bain]

I bought a PM1150 a few years ago for about the same price from a local school system that was getting rid of all their machinery. Great machines.

[Matthew Brawley]

Had a chance for a bit this morning to dig a bit deeper into it and looks like it's going to need to come apart and cleaned and lubed. Been sitting for years.

[Matthew Brawley]

Started the tear down on it this morning and finding lots of fun little issues. Oh well I needed a winter project.

[Matthew Brawley]

So much old dried up grease and previous repairs. 419820419821419822419823

[Phillip Mitchell]

You might wander over to owwm.org and do some searches. Lots of PM 1150 / 1200 discussion and rebuilds there.