Thread: Waldown Drill Press

There are a couple of Waldown Workmax Mark I's for sale by tender.

This 3 phase model:



and this single phase unit:




Any thoughts on what they may be worth?

Hello Kev,

I paid 200 dollars for my 3M and I think 175 for a little single phase drill, the same as the one shown in your photo. The latter came with a genuine Waldown vise. Shamefully, the vise looked like a colander.

The first photo below was taken about four years ago.

Bob.

Here is a rare one: WALDOWN THREE HEAD DRILL PRESS | eBay

Thanks Bob.

That gives me some guidance.

That first on looks happy.

Dave

Originally Posted by KevM

There are a couple of Waldown Workmax Mark I's for sale by tender.

This 3 phase model:



and this single phase unit:




Any thoughts on what they may be worth?

I got my single phase Richardson unit, bit of surface rust, needs a new belt, free for the privilege of taking it away.

You can buy a new Chinese drill press from Moonah Machinery for around $300 so about half of that is top dollar IMO.

PDW

Originally Posted by PDW

You can buy a new Chinese drill press from Moonah Machinery for around $300 so about half of that is top dollar IMO.

I have a Taiwanese drill press that I bought from Vin Smith before he died (over 20 years ago) but the quality just isn't there. That's why I'm looking for something a little better built.

Originally Posted by KevM

I have a Taiwanese drill press that I bought from Vin Smith before he died (over 20 years ago) but the quality just isn't there. That's why I'm looking for something a little better built.

Far be it for me to defend the quality of the Chinese drill presses - I have a lot of issues with mine, but it does drill holes.

However those Waldowns don't have rack & pinion table height adjustment, they have less speeds and if they're the same as my Richardson, changing the belt involves a lot of work if it ever goes bad! Either pulling the spindle or prising out the top locating bushing (which goes round & round but refuses to come up & out, not sure if it does come out). A link belt is the obvious answer, if you want to spend approx $100 for 1.2m of the stuff.

Also, changing speeds is fiddly, no quick release tension adjustment and only 6 speeds. I think the price I paid for it was about right, I certainly wouldn't pay more than $200 maximum for one. More like half of that

If you want a quality drill, keep your eye out for an Arboga geared head model. However it's going to cost.

PDW

Belt changing could not be simpler on the Waldown. If you want to read about the trials and tribulations of one bloke's Arboga ownership have a look here - http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/ar...-drill-131401/

Granted, it's a mill/ drill but some of the issues Ken has faced would also apply to the drill. I looked longingly at an Arboga drill a couple of months ago and I would have one if I had three phase power.

BT

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Belt changing could not be simpler on the Waldown. If you want to read about the trials and tribulations of one bloke's Arboga ownership have a look here - http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/ar...-drill-131401/

Granted, it's a mill/ drill but some of the issues Ken has faced would also apply to the drill. I looked longingly at an Arboga drill a couple of months ago and I would have one if I had three phase power.

BT

OK those Waldowns are nothing like my Richardson in either belt changing or changing the belt from one pulley to another. Much simpler & better design. Funny because visually the castings are similar.

As for Arbogas, there's always a risk in buying used equipment. I've had one of the baby Arboga radial arm drills for 15 years. It's beat up, rattly, noisy and extremely well used. Still drills holes up to 35mm dia without dramas. That's the biggest drill bit I own.

PDW

PDW,

I posted some photos of a little radial arm drill a while back. It was a work of art.

http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/arboga-131333/

BT

This drill has nearly 11 hours to go on Ebay and it's up to $351.99



And this one sold yesterday for $122.50. I wonder if Joe was the winning bidder?

The first one went for $5,600.00, better increase the insurance on them Waldown drill presses

http://offer.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAP...m=160642465281

I couldn't believe it. Wow!!! $5,600.00

It did fly up in those last 7 seconds.

Ok that's getting silly.