Walker-Turner Drill Press DP 900 / 936? Mid 40’s

I acquired this drill press having visited a friend of mine. Pete @ Monopoly Marine He was kind enough to let me take it off his hands. (Many thanks Pete!). Having loaded it up in my truck I quickly took it back to my shop and failed to re assemble it . This would have allowed me to take some pics. (PRE). Sadly I did not. But I did manage to take some pre pics. ( See below. ). Having inspected the parts while disassembling. I already had an end game in mind.  Replace the motor with a VFD. Lucky me I already had a new TecoFM50 in the box. Also I Had a 3 phase .5hp motor too.but upon inspection it was not a keywayed shaft. Rather than add the keyway I found one on ebay for $70.00 delivered. Also I intended on adding a reversing switch, as well as a digital RPM gage (yet to be added soon though), as well as a digital depth gage. I replaced the belt with a link belt. easier to adjust and also does not imply I need to remove the front spindle assembly should it break. Also worth noting the motor pully wobbled quite a bit  So I elected to replace it. As well as most all nuts and bolts 90% is all Stainless now. I stripped all the parts down to the metal. either by wire wheel or glass beading… in preparation for paint.  The main work table had some (many) mis drilled holes in it. While I knew I would cover the table up with a new work surface I figured now is the time to visit it. I intended on having it welded up. I loaded the table up and off to see “Joe” from Daniels welding. He is my local goto expert when it comes to welding.
The main upright (2.75″) steel pipe/tube was not in bad shape at all but I decided to see if I could clean it up. So on my lathe it went. I think it took all of about 30 mins to get it setup and cleaned. this part was very satisfying.

Specs:

• Walker Turner DP 900 series
• Serial Number#
• Sold By: Ellfeldt Hardware & Machinist supply Kansas City, Montana.
• Full size standing aprox 6′
• Jacobs Chuck Taper 33
• Quill has +/- 4″ down travel.
• Throat depth is:
• Table height adjuster is Acme Screw driven.

Now that its mostly assembled. All thats left is. (parts are still coming in)

1. Remount all the badging
2. Add in the Tachometer ie RPM gage.
3. Add in the Digital Depth gage
4. Add/make the quick release depth stop nut.
5. add knob to speed adjustment pot.
6. fabricate a nice faceplate for the control panel.
7. repaint the on off switch
8. decide on a caster plate setup for ease of moving.
9. finish making knurled hand nuts for quick tightening areas.
10. Use the hell out of it…

Perhaps a small amount of additional info.

A link to many other same style drill press can be found here.  and the most notable one / similar one here with a spectacular build log
Walker Turner history

And now the pics….

Before….

After…