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  1. #1
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    Sep 2019
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    Default Australian drill press ID - who made it?

    This found it's way into the workshop today:











    Three pulleys, reasonably heavy - hollow column, though. Running a Betts ~1/2hp output single phase motor.

    Can't find any manufacturer's name on it, though according to that plate it's model M5 and was made in Australia.

    Anyone know who made it?

  2. #2
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    Oct 2004
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    Southern Highlands NSW
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    Drilmor, made by S.J.Dunn & Co, Kirrawee N.S.W.

  3. #3
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    Sep 2019
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    Thanks!

    The only other references I can find to the company are two drills that were sold through Greys, not even anything on Trove :/

    Might print a cover for the front with the logo on it like the pair I can see pics of. It was obviously removed/destroyed at some point and replaced with a cut sheet of perspex on this one...

    Note to self: DOM 87-92

  4. #4
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    Jul 2006
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    Athelstone, SA 5076
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    4,255

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    I am guessing it is an import....any decent aussie made product would not use a decal to stick on on it

    I know it says Made In Australia...but?

  5. #5
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    That plate is riveted on - seems that this was a common brand to find in TAFEs in the late 80s and early 90s.

    I did wonder, though.

  6. #6
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    Different model, looks very similar.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by nadroj View Post
    Different model, looks very similar.
    That does look rather similar - is that one of yours?

  8. #8
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    Sep 2016
    Location
    Canberra
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    That is a Drillmor, made by S.J. Dunn and Co of Kirrawee in Sydney!
    They were previously made for MacPhersons Machinery and marketed as such. Prior to that the company was known as the Anglo Australian Engineering Co.

    They had the TAFE suppliers contract for many years in NSW and they also had a contract with NSW rail/City rail.

    As I understood it part of those tenders meant that they could not sell to the public, sounds a bit odd but that's what I was told by a bloke who was connected to the factory. As such they are not as well know as the Waldowns or Richardsons.

    They are fabulous machines! Every bit as good as a Waldown! (I actually think they are better, far more rigid and more quill travel)

  9. #9
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    Sep 2016
    Location
    Canberra
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    And yes they were definitely made in Sydney Australia!

    The brand name was originally molded into the plastic belt cover end caps.

    Yours does not have the original motor as they were all Hawker Siddley 3 phase units.

    Let me know if you need any help with it, I have restored two of them and am currently working on a third at the moment.

    They are well worth restoring!

  10. #10
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    Oct 2004
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    Southern Highlands NSW
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    Quote Originally Posted by J.C. View Post
    That does look rather similar - is that one of yours?
    No, but I've used Drilmors at TAFE.
    I've been waiting for one to pop up for my workshop, but they aren't too common.

  11. #11
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    Sep 2019
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    Newcastle, AU
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    Quote Originally Posted by BrazOmatic View Post
    That is a Drillmor, made by S.J. Dunn and Co of Kirrawee in Sydney!
    They were previously made for MacPhersons Machinery and marketed as such. Prior to that the company was known as the Anglo Australian Engineering Co.

    They had the TAFE suppliers contract for many years in NSW and they also had a contract with NSW rail/City rail.

    As I understood it part of those tenders meant that they could not sell to the public, sounds a bit odd but that's what I was told by a bloke who was connected to the factory. As such they are not as well know as the Waldowns or Richardsons.

    They are fabulous machines! Every bit as good as a Waldown! (I actually think they are better, far more rigid and more quill travel)
    Quote Originally Posted by BrazOmatic View Post
    And yes they were definitely made in Sydney Australia!

    The brand name was originally molded into the plastic belt cover end caps.

    Yours does not have the original motor as they were all Hawker Siddley 3 phase units.

    Let me know if you need any help with it, I have restored two of them and am currently working on a third at the moment.

    They are well worth restoring!
    Thanks for the info and offer! This one will definitely be getting tidied up, but then I will be left with a conundrum.. keep the Servian that's also getting tidied up, or keep the Drilmor?

    Quote Originally Posted by nadroj View Post
    No, but I've used Drilmors at TAFE.
    I've been waiting for one to pop up for my workshop, but they aren't too common.

  12. #12
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    Dec 2011
    Location
    Sydney
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    505

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    I ordered two Drilmor pedestal drills (for two different places I worked) in the '80s and '90s and they are still going strong: they were on NSW Government contract at the time.
    A Drilmor looks somewhat insubstantial compared with a typical Taiwanese bench/pedestal machine of the same era, but Drilmor machines were well built, and that shows up when you use one.
    Bill
    Last edited by WCD; 17th Oct 2019 at 12:19 PM. Reason: corrections

  13. #13
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    Sep 2019
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    Newcastle, AU
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    Default

    Edit: Whoops, ignore this one

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