1939 Craftsman Airgun Spring Compressor

I bored a 5/8" hole in a Douglas fir 2x4. It's 2x4 clear lumber, not a stud. Douglas fir is harder. I have a lot of the fir scraps left over from a job. The FWB 124 barrel fits well enough that the gun won't slop around while I work. Clamped the wood to the table such that the barrel won't rub on the hole in the table. Used a brass scrap to protect the finish on the trigger block and avoid the safety. Extended the quill about 4 inches so when I pressed down and took out the trigger block retaining lug all I had to do is let the quill retract a few inches. Works perfect.

The 1939 Craftsman drill press (Mine wears the original color I custom matched) was manufactured by Atlas Press Co. Kalamazoo, Michigan. Same company that made the infamous Atlas metal lathes, drill presses, bench top horizontal milling machine, 7" bench top metal shaper, and several popular vintage woodworking machines. My grey Atlas drill press is from 1957. Atlas later became Clausing and made some very fine quality metal lathes as well as other machine tools. Including the 8500 series 6 x 26 table vertical milling machines so sought after by hobbyists.

I love the restored vintage drill presses.  My brother has an old bench top model.

David Enoch

Love those old machines! That Craftsman looks fantastic in blue. ???

Posted by: @arkmaker

Love those old machines! That Craftsman looks fantastic in blue. ???

That's the original color. Actually has a little purple tint to it when you see it in person. Sears sold several Craftsman badged Atlas machines painted blue(around 1936- mid/late 40's). The drill presses were very popular. The paint is always faded now. You have to look in a place that isn't affected by light to match the color. Motor mounts under the motor or inside the cast iron belt guard is where I found it. I have 3 same bench models. Very hard to find vintage drill presses that don't have errant holes drilled in the table. The "Arc of shame". Thank you for the compliments