Meddings Bench Drill, Buying Advice Needed!

[=Adam=]

Hi guys!

As per the title, I am intersted in buying a bench drill/drill press as I believe it will help me make accurate holes in pen blanks and other turned items (reducing my wastage and increasing efficiency).

I have seen a meddings bench drill advertised locally for £100 so I contacted the seller and he came back with the following pics:

The general condition of the machine looks really good however I find it strange that there is no table and that it just bolts to a work bench (not supplied). Is this how it came from the manufacturer (this model) or am is it missing the bottom half?

If it is missing the bottom half then I will be trying to negotiate a discount!

Also does anyone know where I could locate a user manual for the drill? I would like to know a little bit more about the model before I actually commit to anything.

Thanks for looking guys! Any info would be great!

 

[Charlie Woody]

Ask your seller for the serial no, then phone Meddings 01752 313 323 and they will quickly clarify what it should have.

 

[Wildman]

meddings is a quality drill, I'd be surprised if it was supplied without a base at least having said that it could have been one of a bank with a common base.

 

[beech1948]

Looks like it was part of a gang drill set up and previously bolted to a large metal table. That's why there is no base or table as we woodworkers know it. The squared off top cover would indicate a newer drill as the older ones till the late 50's had a rounded and shaped top.

I've never used a drill from a gang drill set up so I have no views on how useable it is.

Al

 

[=Adam=]

The more I look at it, the more I spot that is strange!

I have noticed that it has a hand crank on the right presumably for raising and lowering a table, however the owner says that you put what you want to drill on the table and the drilling head moves up and down plots meet the material.

 

[Harbo]

Put a large drill in it and there will be very little gap left for any items underneath?
I personally would pass it by?

Rod

 

[Lons]

I bought a Meddings (square top like that), about 18 months ago and it is a superb machine. It is however a standard model with base and table. Not sure I would buy that one.

You should be able to get a decent model for £100 - 150 I would think if you're patient

Bob