Old Fools Journal: Another Tool Bites the Dust

This instrument of destruction and construction came to me in a trade with an old pal over 20 years ago when I was still living in Mexico. I believe it was more than 20 years old then.
Sorry for the poor image but it's what I have.

It has done a lot of work and I have not found a metal that it wouldn't put a drill through.

I didn't take it apart just so I could see what was in it as I sometimes do. I took it apart to see what was wrong and why it wouldn't go around anymore. It made a loud clunk and one big spark on the last hole for the rack support adapters on my long bike project then it stopped. It shook my meager workshop shed.

Turns out the rear thrust bearing packed it in and that is all that is wrong with it. They don't repair or make parts for this model now but the bearing, though not an original part, is available. I don't believe I can get the old one out without damaging the case and a lot of work so I think I' ll just accept my loss and press on. They just don't make anything to last anymore.

The bright side is I get some gears to mess with and a nifty paper weight (the armature). I feel an art project coming on.

It was in this drill press stand when I got it and I have seldom taken it out for other use. The stand is the same vintage as the motor. It, like the drill motor, is made in the U.S.A. I'm not likely to find a replacement made there. It is sturdy and as true as any other drill press I've used at least at my skill level. The mount is full adjustable and will accept any drill motor I have come across.

The plastic knobs for adjustment went the way of all plastic many years ago but that is what those cheap Vise Grips that are on the bargain table at the hardware store are for. That and for inside door handles on old pickup trucks , water faucet handles and emergency battery clamps. You can see one in use here with the chuck key hanging from it by it's orange strap.
The drill motor that is mounted on it now is a 3/8 Inch Craftsman I got off the refurbished table in the Honolulu Sears store in 1978. They gave me a $5.00 trade in for a 1959 quarter inch drill motor that was a Christmas present from my family that year . It got to where it wouldn't go around anymore either. I guess I'm hard on drills. I still have the spade wood bits that came with it. I've had to sharpen them a few times but they are still shiny, pretty and cut as clean as any of that type do. SWMBO thinks tools are pretty too.
The UPS man just dropped off my brand new shiny ½ inch drill motor so now I can continue to make big holes in metal. I ordered this one from Northern Tool and you can guess where it was made.

I have tools so I make stuff. If I didn't have tools I would make tools so I could make stuff. I am compelled by my very nature to do so. living with nothing so that my life would be simple is not possible for me as I would set about making stuff unless my hands were bound. Having nothing does not simplify your life.