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Back from The Dead

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Back from The Dead

#1

Back from The Dead

Hank Knight from SC

>Several months ago I bought an old Walker Turner bench style drill press from the Government Property Disposal Authority a the Savannah River Plant. I bought it sight unseen, but the price was right. I drove over to SRP to pick it up and when I saw it my heart sank. It was so beat up I don't think it would have made a good boat anchor, although it was certainly heavy enough. It was in several large pieces and, among other things, I had to remove a big dirt dauber wasp nest from inside it before I could load it in my car for the ride home. I didn't take any photos of it because I wasn't at all sure I could save it. But I took a shot of the table and the column last night, both of which I've replaced, so you can get some idea of what the thing looked like 3 months ago.


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Re: Back from The Dead

#2

Re: Back from The Dead - Continued

Hank Knight from SC

>Luckily I found Walker Turner Serviced Machinery in New Jersey. They have parts, original color machine enamel and were a great help. I think this machine has an interesting history. It was built in the lat 1940s or by 1951, at the latest. The Savannah River Plant opened with duPont as the Contractor in 1951. I'll bet this drill press was one of the original pieces of equipment at SRP. This was the main reason I decided to invest the time and money in rehabbing this old lady. My shop has been a greasy mess for too long with this project, but I think the end result is worth it; now back to woodworking. Here she is in all her resurected glory.


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Re: Back from The Dead

#3

It was worth it!!!

John in Kerrville

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Re: Back from The Dead

#4

Maybe. :>)

Hank Knight from SC

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Re: Back from The Dead

#5

Re: Back from The Dead - Continued

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native, Presently Away

>Well look at that! I remember seeing that about a month ago, and as you say it was a mess, and certainly in sad, sad, shape. you've done it Justice, and yourself Proud. GOOD ON YA'!

This "old lady" will out last many of those cheap-o benchtop DP's from China that have recently been popping up everywhere, and what with all that heavy metal it'll leave 'em the performance dust as well!

Granted, it may not be a handtool, but still, there's a certain something about rescuing a vintage powertool.

Hope you enjoy it.

Todd O.

Re: Back from The Dead

#6

Thanks, Todd

Hank Knight from SC

>I appreciate your comments.

I hope you and yours had a great Holiday season. How's the soldier doing?

Re: Back from The Dead

#7

Re: Thanks, Todd

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native, Presently Away

>The soldier is doing well. She was home for two weeks, and just left to go back to Va. at 1 a.m. this morning. Even tho she "stayed" with us, we where the ones that saw her the least. :~(

Todd O.

Re: Back from The Dead

#8

Re: Thanks, Todd

Hank Knight from SC

>"Even tho she "stayed" with us, we where the ones that saw her the least. :~("

Yeah, I know about that. Glad you had a good visit anyway. My kid was home for 10 days. It was great!

Cheers, and Happy New Year.

Hank

Re: Back from The Dead

#9

gorgeous-

Tom Sontag - St. Louis

>I love the paint job. And of course the lines of the machine. You did a beautiful job, but I know what you mean about greasy metalworking in a wood shop - if I can't get it done and out in a week I get ansty.

Re: Back from The Dead

#10

Lookin good Hank!

Dominic Greco

>Geez! Nice save on this Hank! It sure gives me the push I needed to clean up the WT DP I have. You bench top model looks almost identical to the floor model DP I have.

See ya around,

Dominic

Re: Back from The Dead

#11

Thanks, all, for the kind words.

Hank Knight from SC

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