Garage Cleanout Questions

[TomKro]

I'm trying to help a neighbor clear out one side of a garage and have a few questions about some hardware. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Starting with machinist related...
Here's a set of old mics. Had calibration stickers from the 1980's. Could someone fill me in on what these are used for?


Also looking thru a stash of old electric motors. This one is an oddball, no foot mount, listed as type SON. It appears to mount from square bosses on each end cap. Does anyone know what sort of saddle is used for this motor? What might it have been used on?


Now some welding hardware. I know very little about gas cutting/welding. Are old "Victor" Brand torches worth anything? There's also an old set of Airco regulators and gages. Regulator bodies don't look beat up, but one gage has cracked glass. Old stuff, hoses look pretty bad. Is it worth the effort trying to sell this old stuff, or does it belong in a brass scrap pile?





Last on the question list. The neighbor has what looks to be an older 17 inch standing drill press. I sure could use a bigger drill press, but this one has no depth stop. Although old, it looks like it hasn't seen much use, looks decently cared for, and only one small drill hole in the table. Questions: Is it difficult to retrofit an adjustable depth stop? Any idea of a fair offer for this machine?


Any assistance is appreciated.
Happy tool hunting.
TomKro

 

[markba633csi]

Does the drill press not have a collar on the right side downfeed hub with a thumbscrew? That's often what they have as a stop
That press has a good range of speeds, I would grab it
The mikes must be for special use- I don't know exactly
The motor would probably be held by the square end bosses
The welding stuff is most likely OK but the hoses should be replaced
-Mark

 

[extropic]

The micrometers are used exactly like micrometers of the standard pattern. The pictured micrometers have greater throat depth the reach in further from the edge of the work piece than a standard pattern will allow.

The motor, unknown

the Victor torch is a quality piece and worth reselling. Welding supply stores should be able to sell you a replacement lens for the gage. Just dust everything off (use NO OIL on equipment for Oxygen service).

Drill press depth stop? IMHO, if you have to ask, best to find a machine with a factory set-up. Value = $50 - $100.

 

[TomKro]

Mark, extropic:

Thanks for the feedback.

As to the stash of motors, I have not yet checked them out to see if they run, not shorted, etc. I've seen small motors with either cast feet or some sort of circular saddle with rubber bushings to grab the end caps. Never saw square end mounts before. It is pretty old though.

I had to go check, but my little benchtop drill press does have a stop collar on the handle side, but I completely forgot about it because it came with a face mounted digital depth readout, and I normally just use that. The bigger one the neighbor has probably has a similar ring, but will have to look it over again.

Good idea on the welding supply store. I can't use the torch, but maybe they can get a few bucks for it on Craigslist. Thanks for the "no oil" reminder.

TomKro

 

[Mill Lee farm]

Drill press looks like my setup. As others have stated, there should be a movable ring on the quill handle with a locking screw to set it. That's your depth stop (and gauge if the ruler sticker is still on it like mine)

 

[ericc]

I have a set of old Victor torches. They are great. Make sure there are no leaks. Same with the hoses. That old torch doesn't have a flashback arrestor on it, so be careful with the plunge cuts and dirty metal so that you don't get a piece of junk in the tip while you are cutting. It might be better to use the cutting torch mainly for heating and maybe sometimes cutting clean plate.

 

[MikeInOr]

My Victor torches are over 50 years old and work much better than brand new cheap Chinese torches. I have had to change out an O-ring seal or two but the build quality of the Victor torches are superb in my experience.

I have never been a huge Craftsman power tool fan but a 17" drill press with 1.5hp is a nice size drill press and most likely much nicer than a modern Chinese drill press. It should be put to use!

One of my drill presses has a rotary depth stop on the handle axle instead of the usual linear depth stop. Look for a threaded hole on the handle side of the handle axle and the opposite side of the axle from the handle. My rotary stop works by tightening a wing bolt on the axle.

 

[Mike23]

Does the drill press not have a collar on the right side downfeed hub with a thumbscrew? That's often what they have as a stop
That press has a good range of speeds, I would grab it
The mikes must be for special use- I don't know exactly
The motor would probably be held by the square end bosses
The welding stuff is most likely OK but the hoses should be replaced
-Mark

The mics are called sheet metal mics for measuring in past any irregular surface that you find on the edges of sheet. Mike

 

[hman]

That old torch doesn't have a flashback arrestor on it, so be careful with the plunge cuts and dirty metal so that you don't get a piece of junk in the tip while you are cutting. It might be better to use the cutting torch mainly for heating and maybe sometimes cutting clean plate.

... or, you can install flashback arrestors between the torch and hose.

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Victor Technologies 0656-0006 FBT-2 Flashback Arrestor, Pair Pack, Torch Mount: Gas Welding Accessories: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

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[westerner]

My Victor torches are over 50 years old and work much better than brand new cheap Chinese torches.

Yup. Several in my family have made their living in the trades. From the professional standpoint, Victor is the only choice. Support is still strong for all but truly ancient regulators and torches.