Conclusion

Here are all three drills we discussed in this article.

From the top of the picture: No. 2 - 1938, No. 2A -Transitional, No. 2A - ZAMAK

Another view...

Below is a view of No. 2 - 1938 and No. 2A - Transitional.

Next is a view of No. 2A - Transitional and No. 2A - ZAMAK.

... and this is a "bad boy" - No. 2A - Transitional

I don't have much more to say... If you ask the question (I hear it often); which one is the best, I have to say that I don't really know.  You, the reader will have to make a judgment call... ;-)

I am interested in your comments - info@wkFineTools.com

Note:

1. After publication of this article I received a note from Scott Grandstaff clarifying some issue of casting methods and pointing to some mistakes on my part.  Hence, the casting issues of the transitional frame described on page 3 are edited.  Thank you Scott!  The question remains on differences between casting of frames for No.2-1938 and improved casting of No.2-Transitional frames.  How was this improvement achieved?

2. Another reader pointed me to the study by George Langford in which George mentioned the existence of two different metal frames for No.2A drill.  Indeed, the description of the No.2 Type A in George's study indicates that. Thank you George!

However, George suggests that ZAMAK castings made by Millers falls "to their everlasting credit, none of these die-cast frames has fallen into pieces. I haven't found any broken frames made either from malleable iron or this pot metal." 

My experience, described in the above articles, is different.  A dozen or so broken frames are here and can't be ignored.