Thread: Buffalo Forge Post Drill

Originally Posted by Vann

Interesting .

I kinda jumped to the conclusion that because it had one owner, it was original. Obviously though, when something is being used, it gets repaired and sometimes modified.

Does the table on that one look to be original?

I have a Buffalo Forge but it is a 611 which I believe was copied by Dawn for their 611.
DSC_0574.JPGDSC_0575.JPG
As you will be able to see it has the pressed still table.

Well, some time has past since I last fiddled with the post drill. I have a scratch around eBay every now and again, looking for parts, and while looking for info about a Canadian Blower and Forge Co. blower, changed the search to “Buffalo Forge Post Drill Parts”. I nearly bought the bottom mount off a different drill last week, thinking that at least I could mount the post then. Yesterday I came back to the browser tab and re-ran the search, and there was a listing for the table, post and mounting for a Buffalo Forge 61R. Mine’s not the R, and IIRC the table on the 61R is a simpler affair than the 61, but at this stage I really don’t care. If I ever find one for a 61, it’s ten minutes work to swap it.

After checking the shipping costs, wiping a little tear from the corner of my eye, and double checking that the credit card was feeling up to the task, I ordered it. Should be here on the 28th.

I’ve had a chance to play with it a bit this evening. I dug out a piece of railway sleeper, drilled a few holes in to mount it (used a Stanley 73 brace with a five inch swing, and it worked really smoothly). Everything turns and spins. In fact it spins and turns far too easily - every shaft has play and it’s really loose. This press has been well used, and even the lever to advance the quill it visibly worn, as well as the cam it runs on. If I’m going to restore it, there will be machining to be done and bushes to be fitted all around.

Originally Posted by Colin62

...This press has been well used, and even the lever to advance the quill it visibly worn, as well as the cam it runs on...

Wow, that drill has seen some mileage.

BF1.jpg

On mine, the cam has worn about half way through the roughness of the sand casting.

I have a spare crank gear (off a No.61). I'd offer it to you, but NZ Post have upped their rates so much it wouldn't be worth it.

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by Vann

Wow, that drill has seen some mileage.

It certainly has. In a way, I’m happy with that. It’s pretty original, no damage to the casting, so whoever used it not only did a lot of work, but he knew what he was doing, based on the number of cracked frames you see out there. When I get my hands a pristine but old tool, I wonder why it wasn’t used. Did it turn out to be a lemon, or did the owner buy it and never really used it because his plans changed, or was it a tool in one of those gentlemen’s workshops, bought to look good, with little to no intention of using them.

Tired as this old drill is, I can at least be pretty sure that the person who owned it has made good use of it. It’s imperfections were acquired through honest hard work and sweat. In time I may develop enough confidence to strip it down and fit bushes all around, so that is capable of doing more accurate and neat work, but I suspect that it’s not going to get a shiny restoration, it just doesn’t feel like that sort of tool.

Originally Posted by Vann

I have a spare crank gear (off a No.61). I'd offer it to you, but NZ Post have upped their rates so much it wouldn't be worth it.

That's a generous thought, and I appreciate it. Our local post office is so inefficient, especially on parcels entering the country, that it would be a huge risk to attempt to post it, even if it were worth it financially.

Luckily I have a daughter in the US and am able to collect a few bits and pieces there and bring them home in my luggage when I visit. Post drill parts are pretty heavy though...