Buffalo No. 21 floor drill press

[Miller’s Daughter]

Hello!
Thanks for letting me be a part of your group. I have inherited a workshop full of metal working machines from my late father. I would really appreciate any advice or directions that anyone would give regarding valuing and selling some of these. I have attached photos of dad’s really neat looking Buffalo 21. He had this in regular use 5 years ago. I am educated as a nurse and really lost in this world. Thank you!

 

[dalmatiangirl61]

Your pic did not show. Pics must be under 1mb, I find that its easiest to reduce the size before transferring them into the pics file on my computer.

 

[Miller’s Daughter]

Thank you

 

[Miller’s Daughter]

I would appreciate anything that y'all could tell me.

 

[Tom A]

A transition drill, between the older "camelback" style and more modern.
Brute of a drill - Be careful with it.
I like the faucet handle on the quill stop :~)

 

[dalmatiangirl61]

I was looking at pricing of Buffalo drill presses this morning, I have one that needs a new home too. From what I'm seeing on ASKING prices the range is $500 to $3500, but not seeing one identical to mine, or a #21. Not seeing too many complete machines in the SOLD category, so hard to determine an average selling price, and there are none like yours, or mine (not sure of model# yet). If you can demonstrate it running to a buyer that is a plus, and so is the ability to load it. Not having the equipment on site to load will be a negative on pricing, hopefully there is a big hoist or forklift there.

That said, it looks like there is a whole shop full of cool old stuff, depending on your situation it might be best to bring in an auctioneer, price per piece will be lower, but it will all be gone in a matter of days if that is the goal. Sorry for your loss, I've been there too.

 

[reggie_obe]

To some extent, what it's worth depends on what part of the country you are in. Condition, desirability and ease of loading factor in as well.

 

[cyanidekid]

that's an old one, designed in the late 1920s to mid thirties id guess. this one could maybe be as late as 46 or so, just post WW11, as many manufacturers didn't redesign the entire line until after wartime production ended.

In subsequent decades buffalo made some nice geared head drill presses (big squared off things with shift levers). those in excellent condition MIGHT bring the top dollar cited above (3500 on a really, really good day), but that unit would be on the lower end I'd think (400 tops if in really good condition?). one of those with loose bearings, a few cracks and bad/no paint would go for scrap, about15$

it does have a great Art Deco look, and also seems to be in nice shape, but the premium for cool design and good looks just doesn't have the collector value in machine tools that it does in, say cars, toasters, or even tableware. can't tell what the mechanical condition is, that is critical for tools.

welcome to the forum, the good folk here will try to give you good information and be very helpful, , but just beware there is a pretty snarky, condescending, (and some who are downright nasty) contingent here also ! good luck and keep posting

 

[Harold Mulder]

There are a few bulletins showing up on the Vintage Machinery site for this drill press. Shows it weighs in at approx 1200 lbs. Two of the bulletins have a 1960 publication date but no info as to production dates. Neat looking machine. As a couple of the other responders mentioned your location could be a big factor in pricing.

Harold

 

[cretedog]

Hello!
Thanks for letting me be a part of your group. I have inherited a workshop full of metal working machines from my late father. I would really appreciate any advice or directions that anyone would give regarding valuing and selling some of these. I have attached photos of dad’s really neat looking Buffalo 21. He had this in regular use 5 years ago. I am educated as a nurse and really lost in this world. Thank you!

I bought mine mainly because of the 'art deco' look. See link below. The right buyer can turn it into something special...

Buffalo No. 21 Drill Press

Been working on the Buffalo resto the last few weekends and evenings. Before pics-

www.practicalmachinist.com

 

[M.B. Naegle]

Adding to all the good advise above, a drill press is a tool nearly every shop will have or need, and there's still a lot of guys out there that want to keep the old "retro" thing going. Most of the crowd here is interested in the practical/professional side of things, and/or the historical side. A neat art-deco piece like this might get better interest on sights like the Jalopy Journal, Vintage Woodworking Machinery, or Garage Journal.

It looks like it has a single-phase conversion on it, which someone might change, but it dosn't limit its usefulness.

 

[Miller’s Daughter]

A transition drill, between the older "camelback" style and more modern.
Brute of a drill - Be careful with it.
I like the faucet handle on the quill stop :~)

Thank you for the information and words of caution. My dad was always adding his touches to things.

 

[Miller’s Daughter]

I was looking at pricing of Buffalo drill presses this morning, I have one that needs a new home too. From what I'm seeing on ASKING prices the range is $500 to $3500, but not seeing one identical to mine, or a #21. Not seeing too many complete machines in the SOLD category, so hard to determine an average selling price, and there are none like yours, or mine (not sure of model# yet). If you can demonstrate it running to a buyer that is a plus, and so is the ability to load it. Not having the equipment on site to load will be a negative on pricing, hopefully there is a big hoist or forklift there.

That said, it looks like there is a whole shop full of cool old stuff, depending on your situation it might be best to bring in an auctioneer, price per piece will be lower, but it will all be gone in a matter of days if that is the goal. Sorry for your loss, I've been there too.

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. We are about an hour NE of Birmingham, AL. We do have forks for lifting that attach to our tractor. I could take a video of the machine running for prospective buyers. Are there certain websites were things like this are sold?

There is so much stuff in dad’s shop!! Auction is a great thought. Any idea who does these type auctions?

 

[Miller’s Daughter]

Your pic did not show. Pics must be under 1mb, I find that its easiest to reduce the size before transferring them into the pics file on my computer.

Thank you for the instructions!

 

[Miller’s Daughter]

Adding to all the good advise above, a drill press is a tool nearly every shop will have or need, and there's still a lot of guys out there that want to keep the old "retro" thing going. Most of the crowd here is interested in the practical/professional side of things, and/or the historical side. A neat art-deco piece like this might get better interest on sights like the Jalopy Journal, Vintage Woodworking Machinery, or Garage Journal.

It looks like it has a single-phase conversion on it, which someone might change, but it dosn't limit its usefulness.

Thanks for your input! I am now in possession of, at least, 4 drill presses. On the bright side, I’ve known how to operate them since elementary school. This one does have a great look. I will check out the sites that you listed.

 

[Miller’s Daughter]

I bought mine mainly because of the 'art deco' look. See link below. The right buyer can turn it into something special...

Buffalo No. 21 Drill Press

Been working on the Buffalo resto the last few weekends and evenings. Before pics-

www.practicalmachinist.com

That looks great!! I work of art, I’d say.

 

[Miller’s Daughter]

To some extent, what it's worth depends on what part of the country you are in. Condition, desirability and ease of loading factor in as well.

We are in Alabama in a location about 2hrs from Atlanta or Chattanooga. Our closest major city is Birmingham, which is an our away. Hopefully, the forks on our tractor will help. Thanks for your comment.

 

[magneticanomaly]

Your Dad must have been a capable and interesting fellow. His ilk are and will be missed.
That said, what he knew and collected is also a heritage. Unless there is no practical way to do so, you might want to consider keeping his collection together for some current or future family member who has or will have an interest in it. Hyper-local manufacturing and repair capability may also become much more important, as the world changes.
I am sure others here would enjoy seeing more of your Dad's collection, and some of what he had might easily find a home if you show it off here.