Antique Rapid Drill Press

[Charlie_6ft]

I bought this drill press a couple of months ago, not because I needed another drill press as I already have 2, but this was just so interesting so couldn't pass it up and will make a good little restoration project.

Does anyone know much about Rapid machinery?

I've got to find:

• A motor (ideally an old vintage one)
• Switch of some sort
• Belt - will probably get a rubber one made up

20221231_063946_resized.jpg 20221231_063922_resized.jpg

I can't find much online but I did find these. I'd say they are early blacksmith\metal work type drill presses.

Rapid03.jpeg Rapid02.jpg

[Charlie_6ft]

What I have found is:

• eBay listing of a very similar drill press in the USA - BURKE Machine Tool Co Bench Top Drill Press Belt Driven
• Blanchard in the USA made or sold rapid Lathes - and potential other Rapid machinery???
• French made???
• Italian made by Agazzani - "a top-notch Italian maker of bandsaws. I think that they have been making saws for over 70 years, and are very highly regarded" ???

[Bill Houghton]

Sometimes called "camel back" presses in the U.S., I guess because they had to call them something. Neat little critter.