Vann

I chase my interests wherever I can find them. I visited here regularly for a while until a software problem drove me nuts. Cheers, Vann.

Hi all. Does anyone know the whereabouts of Denny Graham (of Sandwich IL)? I have a post drill part for him. He last visited here on 12 August, 2015. I last received an email from him in September or October. I now have the part but he's not answering emails. Is he ill, lost interest, or maybe even shuffled off this mortal coil? The part is his for free, so it's unlikely he's avoiding me. Cheers, Vann

With consideration to where he's sitting - are you sure that's not a typo? Cheers, Vann.

Wow, so how many post drills ion the background of your third photo (and can we see more pics of them please)? Cheers, Vann.

The first post drill I picked up (an Australian made Dawn No.611) was seized up - at least the flywheel shaft was (it had no flywheel when I got it). I applied kerosine, but that didn't free it (not by itself). After a whille I tried heating it in SWMBO's oven (while she was out), and then running cold water over the exposed shaft. Eventually, and with the help of a copper hammer, I got it to shift. Be careful to support the surrounding casting when hammering - those iron casting can break :( If, as you say, you don't have time to spend on it at present, then I think oiling all the oil ports etc, is probably a good way to go - though I would suggest maybe a thinner oil to get better penetration. But leave the WD40 until you're ready to put some time in. My tuppence worth. Cheers, Vann.

A desperate source for bits is with a drill. Occasionally the seller has some "thrown in" with the post drill I bought this modified Champion Blower & Forge No.101 recently (refer 1st photo). I didn't particularly want the post drill, but it came with an unknown quantity of "Silver & Deming" bits (refer 2nd photo). Now that I've picked up the drill, I've had a chance to check out the bits. There are 24 pieces: 11 are under 1/2"; 12 bits are 1/2" or greater; and one bit (in the middle of the 3rd photo) that looks like maybe it's for countersinking a 1/2" hole. Although some are short, or abused, or both, there are enough in good condition to put a smile on my face. I'm particularly pleased to have acquired the ones under 1/2" as these are akin to hens teeth (over 1/2" you can buy modern reduced shank bits and grind or machine a flat on the shank). Cheers, Vann.

I did a bit of searching on the net last night. It appears your Canedy-Otto No.0 came with different tables at different times. The Canedy-Otto catalogue No.8 shows it with a round table; while their cattledog No.12 shows it with a square slotted table. Neither cattledog is dated :wacko: Some pikkies of a No.0 with round table - currently on sale on a certain internet auction site (for far too much IMHO). A pikkie of a No.0 with square table - from vintage machinery (OWWM) website. Anyway, back to the catalogues: in case you're interested - Canedy-Otto claim the No.0 will bore holes from 0 to 3/4 inch; reaches to centre of a 12 inch circle; has 2 3/4 inches of spindle travel; and weighs 75 lb. Cheers, Vann.

Most post drills came from the factory with a wooden mounting board. That's the first I've seen with a steel mounting plate. Same problem as I have with my Canadian Blower & Forge No.61. Cheers, Vann.

As Jacob says, post drill parts are hard to find. If you want genuine parts you're best to buy another incomplete post drill of the same model, for parts. While you're waiting for one to come up, you can have a bit of 1/2 inch steel plate profile cut to the approx shape. Drill and tap a hole, fit a threaded rod, with a wingnut at the bottom - and you're in action. Or make up a pattern and have one cast. Nice post drill by the way - assuming it's the one listed on vintagemachinery.com on 14th September. Cheers, Vann.

This is my Canadian Blower & Forge No.61 (almost identical to a Buffalo Forge). It's made from two wrecks (both CB&F No.61 post drills). The first was missing auto-feed lever & pawl, column, column foot, table. Three of the four flywheel spokes are cracked. The second was missing the crank arm & handle and the table. The frame was broken in half, the thrust bearings had mostly disintegrated, and the ball races were so badly worn they were unusable. Here's the first one partially dismantled. While the other was broken through the middle, this one had been as well, as this braze repair shows I found that the pawl on the auto feed lever had lost its ball (counter-weight) so the pawl doesn't engage. Here it is removed, awaiting repair. So, I still don't have a table, nor a working auto-feed. I have it mounted above a bench in my woodwork shop, where I occasionally use it to drive a Fortner bit. Cheers, Vann.

Thanks Direwolf. I agree, Silver made great looking post drills. Here's a more recent photo (I couldn't find this last posting) Here I'm experimenting with colours on the flywheel (I don't like any so far !). This is almost all I've got at home so far, until I arrange for the third (and hopefully final) shipment. Cheers, Vann.

My pre-1911 Silver Mfg Co. Advance No.14 How it looked in January thiis year, before dismantling for transport home. The first shipment of parts arrives home. How it looked in May - in grey primer. Cheers, Vann.

What he said, can we see some photos? And can we see some of yours? Cheers, Vann.

Hi FXS. I thought they were "loose" and "fast" pulleys - "fast" as in fastened (to the shaft - nothing to do with speed) I like the looks of Silver post drills. They have style and the curved spokes of the flywheels are classic. I have a No.14 that I'm cleaning up at present (needs repairs - sigh), and have just bought a No.22 that I won't get to see for months (it's 450 miles away - and I'm not heading that way until January). Cheers, Vann.

I don't think there are any advantages over a modern drill press, except that the slow speed of a post drill is easier on your drill bits. Also good if you don't have power. But they just look so cool, you have to have one in the shed just for the atmosphere. Try to pick up one that still has the self-feed lever - with one hand cranking and the other holding a workpiece, there's a shortage of hands to work the downfeed... Cheers, Vann.

I can't help with exact dates. From what I can glean, Buffalo revised their range and introduced a new model numbering system, probably in the 1910s. Under the new model numbering system their blacksmith' s post drills all (nearly) started with a 6. The 2nd & 3rd digits indicated the reach of the drill in inches. Eg. your No.612 will drill to the centre of a 12inch circle; a No.614 will drill to the centre of a 14inch circle. These 6xx post drills aren't in the 1906-09 catalogue, but do show in 1925 adverts and are in the 1929 Buffalo Forge catalogue. I hope this helps. Cheers, Vann.

I spotted this on a local auction site. I didn't buy it. Thought it might give you inspiration. Cheers, Vann.

Having just one speed, your No.147 looks more like a No.611. It would seem that Buffalo Forge changed their numbering system at some point - probably around the 1900s - to a system that tells you the drill size. E.g. a No.611 drills to the centre of an 11 inch circle; a No.612 drills to the centre of an 12 inch circle; and a No.614 drills to the centre of an 14 inch circle. But a No.61 doesn't drill to the centre of a 1 inch circle - go figure !! What is the capacity of your No.147? Cheers, Vann.

Hi. I feel sure that post drill in the video Jerome posted isn't a Buffalo Forge No.616. It looks to me more like their No.611 model - and I think I can see the "11" beside the crank gear at 16s-20secs. The No.616 is in Buffalo Forge Co. cat. No.801 (1929). As Bstrong says, it's a two-speed drill. Regular speed is obtained by cranking the large "crank gear". Low speed is obtained by moving the crank handle to the (missing) small crank gear that meshes with the flywheel gear. But then as some wag pointed out on another forum - all these drill are hand cranked, so they're all variable speed anyway. The speed just depends on how much toast you had for breakfast... Cheers, Vann.

Hi Joel. That looks like a Silver No.2 to me. I agree. I nearly bought a Silver No.22 a few years ago, but had to let it go. I've just bought a No.14 but haven't taken delivery of it yet (I think I may regret my purchase when I find out shipping costs - the thing is huge at around 240lb - 110kg) Cheers, Vann.