New (To Me) Drill Press

Iplayfarmer · Nov 26, 2011

Brad_Blazer said:
...It's amazing how just about every project requires the use of a drill press.

Ain't that the truth.

BigSteve63 · Nov 26, 2011

Your drill press looks exactly like mine, only different name. Mine is a "Galaxy" brand that I got for free at a former place of employment. It was missing several parts, the most notable of which were the clock spring return and the center pulley for speed adjustments. I tried finding parts everywhere and ordered some from Sears that did not fit. I was able to make a return spring out of a 2 1/2" hole saw and a mower recoil spring - it comes back up with a vengeance now! I also fabbed a mount for the Sears idler pulley I ordered to adjust the speed. Since most of my idler pulley mount was a pure guess, I was wondering if you could take some pics of the pulleys on top - just to let me know how close I got? Thanks!

Iplayfarmer · Nov 26, 2011

BigSteve63 said:
Your drill press looks exactly like mine, only different name. Mine is a "Galaxy" brand that I got for free at a former place of employment. It was missing several parts, the most notable of which were the clock spring return and the center pulley for speed adjustments. I tried finding parts everywhere and ordered some from Sears that did not fit. I was able to make a return spring out of a 2 1/2" hole saw and a mower recoil spring - it comes back up with a vengeance now! I also fabbed a mount for the Sears idler pulley I ordered to adjust the speed. Since most of my idler pulley mount was a pure guess, I was wondering if you could take some pics of the pulleys on top - just to let me know how close I got? Thanks!

We actually hijacked a thread Rawinok2 has going about his mini dozer to discuss drill press mods. I posted some pictures over there.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/221521-another-mini-dozer-26.html#post2593851

Feel free to post back here if you need more info. I'm happy to help.

varmint · Nov 26, 2011

I just came across your drill press thread- your machine looks exactly like one my dad bought from Enco in the 70's, for around $150 or so (Taiwan). I had it for 10 or 15 years, and sold it when I got an opportunity to get a big new floor model for about half normal price. The new one has more speeds, longer spindle travel, and tighter "slop" when the spindle is down, but let me tell you, that old machine had torque when it came to drilling serious holes. You should get lots of use from it, and congrats on that bonus chuck!

Iplayfarmer · Nov 26, 2011

I switched belts, and I'm getting a lot better torque to the bit. I'm guessing that one belt is a little worn. By putting the more worn belt on the primary drive and the better belt on the final drive I'm able to get better power transmission at low speed high torque.

I'm sure that new belts would improve the performance. Maybe I'll get some belts next time I'm in the hardware store with a few extra dollars in my pocket.

Renze · Nov 27, 2011

My "old" (2001, bought new as old stock in 2007) drill press couldnt pull the hole saw, so i changed to a Gates automotive cogged fan belt. That could transfer so much torque that the motor sometimes stalled and started to skip. Anyways, it is relieved from this punishment now i got the new, floor model drill press. This is my "new" but made in 1986

Iplayfarmer · Nov 27, 2011

Renze said:
My "old" (2001, bought new as old stock in 2007) drill press couldnt pull the hole saw, so i changed to a Gates automotive cogged fan belt. That could transfer so much torque that the motor sometimes stalled and started to skip. Anyways, it is relieved from this punishment now i got the new, floor model drill press. This is my "new" but made in 1986

My best guess is that your "new" one is about the same vintage as mine. I'll have to try the cogged belt. There is a certain level of comfort that the belts will slip before the machine self destructs, but I'd like to get a little more torque to the bit before the slipping occurs.

Iplayfarmer · Nov 29, 2011

New Belts ($20). It's better.

I saw a big improvement previously when I switched the old rear belt to the front. The new belts are even better, but only a little. It's obvious that the critical belt is the secondary drive belt that turns the spindle itself. I bet I could have seen as much improvement by only replacing this secondary drive belt.

At any rate, I think I've found the sweet spot where the drill press has plenty of torque to do what I need, but still will slip a belt rather than self destruct.

On another note, my friend with the morse taper drills came by again yesterday. He said he had found the bucket of drill bits. I just need to drive the 30 miles to his house sometime and pick them up. (He was in a company vehicle and didn't have them with him.) I ought to offer him some money for the bits, but I have no idea what to offer him.

midsetberg · Nov 30, 2011

To further expand the usage of your drill press you should get your self a Morse Taper to 3/4" Weldon adapter and go for Annular cutters like they use in magnetic drills - you will never go back drill bits when doing large holes.

Arbors for annular cutters
Annular cutters

Renze · Nov 30, 2011

midsetberg said:
To further expand the usage of your drill press you should get your self a Morse Taper to 3/4" Weldon adapter and go for Annular cutters like they use in magnetic drills - you will never go back drill bits when doing large holes.

Arbors for annular cutters
Annular cutters

Nice ! For the bigger holes than my 30mm drill, this would be perfect to replace the hole saws i previously used... but whats the price on these ?

midsetberg · Nov 30, 2011

Renze said:
Nice ! For the bigger holes than my 30mm drill, this would be perfect to replace the hole saws i previously used... but whats the price on these ?

These guys have all types of Annular Cutters at good prices and premium service! Annular cutters will outlast any hole saw and are really easy on the drill press

Lawson-HIS

Iplayfarmer · Nov 30, 2011

I did a e-bay search on annular cutters to see what US prices are like. It looks like they're a couple times more expensive than a hole saw, but if they last like they claim to they may be worth it.

Renze · Nov 30, 2011

midsetberg said:
These guys have all types of Annular Cutters at good prices and premium service! Annular cutters will outlast any hole saw and are really easy on the drill press

Lawson-HIS

Hmm they are as expensive as a standard spiral drill from an A-brand. I gladly believe that these are easier on the drill press than hole saws or oversized spiral drills, but these annular cutters dont cut past 20mm (hole saws only 3 or 4mm before the teeth cant get rid of the filings anymore and start riding)
Next to that, my experience with annular cutters on magnetic drills used on the jobsite while erecting structural steel, is that they wander much more than a conventional drill. Even when centered it can wander a millimeter or more.

For the few times i still need big holes to be drilled, i'll use my hole saws, or in thick material, bring it to work to use the radial drill press.

..probably if i only had my old 16mm capacity drill press, these annular cutters would have been a good alternative for buying that bigger drill press..

mososodbob · Nov 18, 2014

Hi Iplayfarmer,

I brought a drill press just like yours yesterday at a garage sale. Been cleaning it up and have found this thread with very informative posting. Have you any more lessons learned since last posting in 2011?

For all: I need a table for this thing...nothing on eBay that will fit. If I 'm to make one, what material should I use? Anyone with a plan or very good pictures with dimensions?

jwmorris · Nov 21, 2014

I recently "won" ths one on eBay for under $50.

Brad_Blazer · Nov 21, 2014

Sweet deal on the Turret Drill.

Gale Hawkins · Nov 22, 2014

2x on that Turret Drill.

On the newer Drill Presses we had a hard time finding one that got down as low as 200 RPM but did get one from HF Floor Model that was actually cheaper than one of their cheaper bench drill presses.

I have a friend that picked up an old Logan lathe (WWII+ era) and he got it set up which is an awesome tool to have around a shop. The old stuff if not worn really bad is better quality than most of the new cheap china stuff.

Iplayfarmer · Nov 22, 2014

Mine has been a great drill press these few years. There have really been no surprises. I do find that I have to get serious about tightening the belts at the lower speeds or the belt will slip and stall the bit.

It has been soooo nice to have the extra power and the larger range of speed options.

mososodbob · Nov 22, 2014

Iplayfarmer,

Thanks for the reply.

If you get a chance, can you explain how you adjust the belt for different RPMs and confirm the name and functions of the controls needed to do that. Are the screws with the tap on the right and left side called "bar knobs"? The one on the right side is rusted shut. The opposite one on the left side turns in and out freely. Can just having the left side moves good enough to loosening what ever I need to loosen to adjust the pulley or belts for RPM adjustments. The chromed handle next to the rusted "bar knob" moves, but I'm not sure how it should be moved. I believe this is called the "tension adjuster". Does it move the motor closer to the housing to loosen the belts on the pulleys? Pull or push towards the motor? Guess I just need to get back into the garage and play with that thing and see what moves what...but any help from your end would be appreciated.

Second question is regarding the two black colored switches on the left side. I'm guessing they are power switches. The one on top will turn on the motor. What is the function of the lower one?

I have a manual for a Jet Model JDP-17MF. It appears very similar to our machine and is using it to learn the nomenclature of the various parts of this machine. Do you have a source for the one we have or one more similar for me to learn the guts and function of this machine?

I also noticed you had disassembled your drill press to clean and be serviced. I'm in the process doing that this weekend. I'm going to check the electrical components.
Any advice on what specifically to look for or to check? The belts have a few nicks and cracks on them. What size will I need if they are to be replaced?

I'm excited to refurbish this machine and start in on some drilling practices (homework for my machinist classes).

Thanks again for reviving this thread.

Bob

mososodbob · Nov 23, 2014

Iplayfarmer said:
Mine has been a great drill press these few years. There have really been no surprises. I do find that I have to get serious about tightening the belts at the lower speeds or the belt will slip and stall the bit.

It has been soooo nice to have the extra power and the larger range of speed options.

Can tell me what is the function between the two switches? Top one turns the machine on...the bottom one seems to do nothing. Is it broken? I hear a click just prior to the motor kicking in and then a click right before it stops when I power off. Source?

I also uploaded a photo showing torsion handle with the rusted shut screw in view...been soaking it in Liquid Wrench...will try Koil if I can find my can..may just use the old Ranger technique of getting a bigger tool and force it loose...and replace it...can you tell me the function before it go to the extreme. Also it dose not seem to move the motor to loosen the belts. Rusted bolts? Not enough force?

Thanks again for any help.

Bob