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Drill Press problem...

1K views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  Clarkie 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am trying to restore a 1950 Craftsman floor model drill press, the motor is solid and the press itself is in good shape. The problem is the up and down motion for the quill is just so tight when you try to retract it back up and is also tight on the way down. I tensioned the spring return and nothing changed so I took everything off that I could get at. Cleaned the parts and lubricated what needed to be done. Reassembled it and have the same problem it is just manual labor to move the quill up and down. Hopefully someone in here has had this problem and can offer some assistance, thanking you all in advance, Clarkie.
 
#2 ·
Without seeing it in person best we can do is guess. But if were mine I would start looking at each piece. Taking it apart and checking each piece to see which one is binding.

Does the spindle slide up and down easy by itself?

Does the lift handle move easy without the spindle in it?

Does the lock fully release.

It is just a matter of checking out each piece by itself to find that one that is binding.If they all move good then assemble one at a time till you see when it binds. When you find it then you can focus on that part to figure out why.
 
#4 ·
Hello Kudz, thanks for responding, I'm thinking the same way having to take it all apart and start from scratch. No, none of the spindle positions are smooth or easy and I have loosed everything, though I'm thinking of putting a spacer in where the locking mechanism is now. I'll keep you posted.
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
Is the spindle height lock tightened? Little lever on left front needs to be backed off or it will keep spindle from going up and down.

edit: I guess it is called a quill lock.

- BlasterStumps
I have a very similar DP that I inherited from my grandfather. I've done very little maintenance on mine and it works fine.

Just like BlasterStumps says, check that quill lock on the left, just above the chuck. I used that a lot for sanding before I bought a spindle sander.

Other than that, you may need some lubrication in the quill. Not sure how to do that, though.
 
#8 ·
Hello Blaster and Tony, yes, I have the lock out of it's place completely and still the travel down and up is deplorable. I'm going to try and put a wedge in the opening of the lock slit to see if that eases it any and then from there it will be a complete breakdown of the drill press and maybe of me, lol. Thanks for all the help, surprised I'm the only one who ran into this problem, Clarkie.
 
#9 ·
You know where the issue is, so it is a matter of figuring out why. I would first inspect the spindle closely and see if it has any damage. Any build up on the shaft would hurt it. Maybe take some really fine emery cloth and polish it.

Check to see if it is bent too. Would not take much to cause it to bind. You can roll it on something flat like a table saw top and look REALLY CLOSE.

Next I would look inside the head. Could be a damaged surface in there. Don't remember i they had bushing but probably not. Could be something in there is damaged and need cleaning or polishing.

Wedging it open is not a repair and could crack the head if you apply to much pressure. Cast Iron is strong but brittle too.

BTW, I have two of these. One I restored the other one I just started using it as is.
 
#10 ·
How does that quill lock work? Does it pull the housing tighter to sort of pinch the quill or is does it press directly against it? If it pinches the housing, I would look to see if there is a place where you could try using a wedge to sort of un-pinch it to see if that frees it up any. More modern drill presses often have something like this to reduce any play but there is usually an obvious split in the cast iron for this.
 
#11 ·
Check to make sure your depth stop isn't bent or dragging on something. Is it the quill that's hard to advance or is the handle hard to rotate? If you take the return spring and cap off the other side and just raise lower it like that, does it improve anything?

Next check the spline fit between the spindle and the drive pulley. If all that fails, it could be a matter of tearing the quill assembly down and cleaning and lubing it.
 
#13 ·
First let me thank all of you who offered your ideas, then let you know that we have had success in making an old 1950 Craftsman floor model drill press active once more. The problem was resolved this morning and life is good again, lol. It was the quill lock mechanism, corrosion had built up and the nuts were unable to open fully. Once I took the head off the shaft and was able to get a drive punch against the clamp sections, she freed and the quill dropped with no effort. Now she is cleaned and on her way to a prominent position in the Ole Shop. Thanks again, knew I could count on you guys, have fun and make some sawdust, Clarkie.
 
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