Christmas 2013

Kids celebrating the Jesus Birthday Cake they decorated on Christmas.

  Can you tell they're excited?

The Post Drill Refurb

Dad gave me this old post drill a few weeks ago.  As you can 

see, it is pretty crudded up with 100+ years of grunge.

A post drill was a blacksmith's drill press.  It was usually mounted on a post in their shop.  They had a handle on the right side (mine is missing) that cranks the gears and turns the spindle.  A large flywheel on the left kept the motion smooth and continuous.  It has a cool little mechanism that automatically lowers the spindle as you crank the machine.  This post drill was made by "Champion Blower and Forge Company" somewhere in the 1905 to 1910 era.

I did a little sandblasting, priming, and painting.  

Now it hangs on a wall in the shop in the basement.

 

 Who knew it could shine up so nicely.  And the oak sure cleaned up well.

A few things left to do:  I would like to fabricate a handle.  I also have the keyless chuck that is pretty well frozen up, and I would like to get that working nicely.

A fun little project.