Petro Chug-A-Drill

[factory 487]

A rare find in the UK, a pair of Petro Chug-A-Drills, I was going to put these in the other Chug-A-Drill thread but they are not yet restored. Unfortunately there is only one tank between the two & it's badly crushed! No other damage though and both are free to turn over.

 

David

[Stormin 4,458]

Good find.

[pmackellow 2,738]

Very nice

[Wallfish 698]

VERY NICE!!!!!! And one of the coolest looking O&R tools out there.

They are very rare and difficult to find over here too. I got lucky and bought one from Webhead and have only seen one other for sale so far. Appears those two should clean up real nice.

[Ian 2,417]

A couple of nice finds there

 

It's a shame about the fuel tank, I'd be inclined to cut it in half, beat the two halfs back into shape and weld it back together.. It's worth a go and you have nowt to loose

[factory 487]

VERY NICE!!!!!! And one of the coolest looking O&R tools out there.

They are very rare and difficult to find over here too. I got lucky and bought one from Webhead and have only seen one other for sale so far. Appears those two should clean up real nice.

 

They do seem quite rare, I had also only seem one other sell in the US and another that sold in South Africa in 2013 here;

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/89694683/1962_PETROL_POWERED_DRILLING_MACHINE_Chug_A_Drill.html

 

I did a google search for "Chug-A-Drill" this evening, there were only 8 results, including one that didn't sell for $1000!!!

Also found was a new looking 1HP Almico branded one (still has Petro cast into the handle), someone definitely got a bargain; http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gasoline-powered-Drill-/221729491998 its so nice I've added some pictures of it before they disappear.

.

Lastly an article from 1962 in Desert Magazine, on page 6 from here http://dezertmagazine.com/mine/1962DM07/files/196207-desertmagazine-1962-july.pdf

 

A couple of nice finds there

 

It's a shame about the fuel tank, I'd be inclined to cut it in half, beat the two halfs back into shape and weld it back together.. It's worth a go and you have nowt to loose

Sounds like a good idea, it will probably be tin though, it may be possible to solder on a brass band to overlap the join.

 

David

Edited November 18, 2015 by factory

[Wallfish 698]

Over here we can get can openers which cut the bead around the lid and not the lid. Imagine you guys can get them too. After repairs you can just solder around the edge and file it smooth. Once painted no one would ever notice.

 

You're right about someone getting that deal. If it was listed under Ohlsson & Rice it would've sold for $350+

 

[CNew 404]

Finally had the chance to add one of these to the collection.  It’s too bad it’s missing the circular handle but it’s still super cool. The tank is pretty dinged up and it’s been used over it’s life. Overall it’s in ok condition, can’t be choosers... They seem to come up so rarely that I figured I better jump while I could. I missed out on one of these on eBay a couple years ago that was in incredible shape and went for a bargain. At that time I had only been collecting for a couple months and had no idea how rare they were.  

 

If anyone comes across an extra handle, please let me know and I’d gladly buy it.  Or, if someone has a good way to replicate one I would consider that too.

 

[Wallfish 698]

? 1/2" EMT conduit

Do you have wood working tools to make a tube bender?

[CNew 404]

Unfortunately I don’t have the tools to make the bender. Any details on the dimensions, circumference?

[mattblack 76]

I'm curious if anyone has actually tried using one of those drills. All I can think of is the potential broken wrist if the bit jams.

[Wallfish 698]

7 hours ago, CNew said:

Unfortunately I don’t have the tools to make the bender. Any details on the dimensions, circumference?

I'll pull mine out when I can and get you some dimensions. Not sure if I could bend you one or not but I'll try

[CNew 404]

That would be great!  If you do decide to give it a try let me know if it turns out ok and I’ll compensate you for it. It looks like there must be a couple flat sections that bolt to the handle section.

[factory 487]

The handle is almost a complete circle, it's welded to a flat section underneath, shouldn't be too hard for someone to recreate.

 

David

[factory 487]

A couple of better pictures from underneath, the outside diameter of this handle is approx 10" , approx as it's not quite round.

 

On 4/1/2021 at 2:56 AM, CNew said:

The tank is pretty dinged up and it’s been used over it’s life.

 

Your tank is pretty good compared with one further up this page, even has an original decal.

 

David

[CNew 404]

David- thank you for the photos - those are very helpful.

 

Yes, I was very glad to see the decal still on the tank. It’ll be fun cleaning this one up!

[factory 487]

Some more pictures of the handle, outside diameter is approx 10", the height from the flat section is approx 9½" and the tube is approx ½" diameter.

 

 

The flat section is approx 1, 15/16" by 1, 11/16" with a hole to suit the switch fitted, I suspect my switch has been replaced judging by how chewed up the nut is.

 

 

David

[CNew 404]

David,

   This is fantastic! Thank you for taking the time to take all the detailed measurements and photos of the handle.

 

 

[CNew 404]

Does anyone know how to remove the drill chuck from a Chug-a-Drill?  Would it be similar to the process used on a Drillgine- basically chuck up a hex bit and either hit it with a mallet or use an impact wrench turning it CCW?

 

The chuck is currently frozen up from rust and gunk but assuming I can get it free to at least open and close, how do I go about removing it from the gearbox?

 

[CNew 404]

Good news. After several days of Kroil and Ballistol I put in some tedious time with a very fine pick this afternoon to try to remove as much rust as possible on all the interfacing surfaces. I then followed that with a torch and some gentle persuasion with a mallet on the chuck key. I finally got it free and the chuck opens and closes like a champ now.

[factory 487]

Not done anything else with mine yet, but I imagine the chuck should unscrew same as the others, as always check there isn't a small screw hidden inside the chuck, don't think we've found any yet though.

 

David

[CNew 404]

Got the chuck off...

 

[CNew 404]

Made a little more progress today. Interesting gear box. Nice and messy...

 

[CNew 404]

Finished the Chug-a-Drill (at least until I find a loop handle or have one made). Took some serious cleaning but well worth it.  It’s definitely an awkward tool to sit down without the loop handle. Resting in on either side makes contact with the exhaust, tank, air cleaner or coil.

[factory 487]

That's cleaned up nicely, I take it there are no gaskets for the gearbox? mine certainly seems to be leaking oil from it.

 

David