This guy worth $40?

[skeer]

So I boogered a couple teeth last night. Am planning on mixing up some JB and try that spot again later. Then this morning I had the realization that I went about cutting them all wrong. That’s how it goes right?
Anyway this is why I made sure that the steel I found was twice as long as I needed, so I’ve got material for a do over.

 

[KEH]

The hose from the carburetor to the air cleaner on the tractor is missing. Looks like some duct tape may have been involved.

KEH

 

[skeer]

So today I pulled the gear from the head that adjusts the height, paint the teeth with Cub Cadet yellow and rolled it out along a new piece of flat steel.
This time instead of trying to cut the angles for the receiving teeth I cut a straight notch for every yellow line.
I bought a couple Hercules 7” cut off wheels from HF to help out but the edges of them are so smooth it barely cuts. Anyway, marking, cutting, rolling the gear to check the mesh, and cutting more I have the right teeth spacing. But now it’s the tooth height and valley depth.

 

[skeer]

Alright, had a few interruptions but tonight it’s golden. Gear rack is done, once mounted will give roughly 18” of travel. Only thing left to do is hit up Ace for a few 10mmx1.25 bolts, a little drillin, some tappin and I’m in business.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Alright, had a few interruptions but tonight it’s golden. Gear rack is done, once mounted will give roughly 18” of travel. Only thing left to do is hit up Ace for a few 10mmx1.25 bolts, a little drillin, some tappin and I’m in business.

There’s going to be a video of the finished product, right? Lol

 

[skeer]

There’s going to be a video of the finished product, right? Lol

Bet your sweet ***.

 

[skeer]

No video just yet, but here’sa completed pic. It works, little stiff in two spots.
Doing this generates a question.. being unable to tighten down the head bolts, I’m beginning to think I should fashion a metal shim to help tighten things properly.

 

[skeer]

Ok short video, so in short it works. There’s some stiff spots likely due to having a few teeth not perfectly spaced. I did have to go back and but an angle on the tooth peaks to help with engagement.
I figure if this was commercial it’d wear too quickly and I’d be replacing the gearing. But for me it’s going to be rare that I adjust since the tables big enough to use a vice.
Also I imagine the column not being highly polished and the aforementioned lack of a shim means the head might be getting a little hung in spots.
I’ll end up revisiting this in the winter when things slow down.

Idea: a larger handle.

https://imgur.com/a/PBDxceA

 

[Old Man Roger]

Looks pretty good, I wonder if lifting slightly on the front while adjusting the height might make it move easier? I’m assuming the balance is off, that small motor probably doesn’t weigh near as much as the rest of the drill press assembly in front of the pole.
The extra weight is probably causing the head to kind of lever on the pole.

Also I mentioned in the other thread that I thought you would need to be able to lock the head down, sounds like you’ve come to the same conclusion. Maybe leave the top pinch bolt just loose enough for the head to move, but put a lever on the bottom pinch bolt so you can tighten and loosen it by hand? Or maybe just keep a dedicated ratcheting wrench hanging from a string?

 

[skeer]

Before I mounted the motor I certainly could make things go smoother by lifting a bit on the front end of the head. After remounting the motor and plate helping the front end doesn't seem to really help much. But if that reverts to true then adding a bit to help counter balance will be easy enough.
While I haven't drilled anything with the new setup I don't have any fears right now if the head not being secure and stable in it's position. The worm gear that handles the main gear seems pretty stout at not moving unless the handles cranked.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I think you might change your mind if you’re using a large bit.

 

[skeer]

I think you might change your mind if you’re using a large bit.

Oh definitely. I won't know for sure until I start using it.

 

[skeer]

This weekend I attempted to fab up my own larger tri-handle for the head adjustment. Discovered the hard way that you can't tap the side of an armature, lol.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I only know the word armature for an electric motor, or an armature for an artist?

 

[Thirdyfivepickup]

beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Nice work so far on this! The transformation is amazing.

I picked up an Atlas press at auction that was in decent shape. I bought it because my dad has the same model. It looked nicer than yours to start but mine didn't run. I was planning to restore it. But...

...sometimes things fall in your lap and plans change. I saw this pop up for $30 on Facebook marketplace... but it was about 30 miles from me... and I knew I couldn't get there for a few days due to my schedule/kids/family.

So I sent the guy a message. I was the first to reply. I told him I would love to have it but couldn't get there until the weekend (this was on a Tuesday) He said he had a lot of messages but I was first and he wanted to honor that. I told him I couldn't get there for a few days so go ahead and sell it to someone else. I also said if it looks as nice as it does in the picture and it runs... it's worth way more than $30. I told him to pull the ad, change the price to $100 and not cheat himself.

He thanked me for my input and decided he didn't want the hassle, so he offered it to me. We agreed on $50 which is still a smoking deal. Even better, the guy lived a block from my friend's dad and my friend was heading there the following day. I love it when a plan comes together!

The guy finds older tools and fixes them up and resells them. Does it to pass the time because he loves it. Mine runs smooth and drills straight. I'm not a fabricator and I've only used it 2-3 times in the past year. It's not perfect but its perfect for me.

 

[skeer]

Son of a.. yeah I'd have snatched that guy up too.. running or not!

 

[skeer]

I only know the word armature for an electric motor, or an armature for an artist?

Yup, the guts of a small electric motor. Was digging around in my piles looking for a circular, heavy thing that could be drilled and tapped for a handle hub. The stacked plates were suspect on tapping.. turns out I was right. YOu can't do it, lol.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Yup, the guts of a small electric motor. Was digging around in my piles looking for a circular, heavy thing that could be drilled and tapped for a handle hub. The stacked plates were suspect on tapping.. turns out I was right. YOu can't do it, lol.

Ahh, I get it now. Lol

 

[skeer]

Ok guys, today I built a larger ‘head elevation’ wheel. Bear in mind this is a rough draft.
Threaded some 3/8 rod and reused the rubber handles from one of the table top DPs.

 

[skeer]

Now that it’s been a day I’m realizing.. man that big! Works great but holy hell it’s prominent.

Oh I have an idea on how to interface that analog tach too, lol.