Drill Press Table Crank

[JCMTools]

I've got an old Delta floor standing drill press and it works fine, except there is no crank on the table, which makes adjusting it up and down in anything but large increments a hassle. I decided to look around for a drill press that had a crank, but it seems to be a fairly unusual thing.

Does your press have a crank? If not, how do you adjust the table. Pure brute force? Am I missing a technique for using it without a crank?

 

[Outlawmws]

There have been a number of solutions over the decades, and some come up once in a while on E-prey but they are pricy. if you go that route, pay attention to column dia, as it matters...

You can home brew it as well; is yours a bench top or floor press?

 

[schor]

I've got an old Delta floor standing drill press and it works fine, except there is no crank on the table, which makes adjusting it up and down in anything but large increments a hassle. I decided to look around for a drill press that had a crank, but it seems to be a fairly unusual thing.

Does your press have a crank? If not, how do you adjust the table. Pure brute force? Am I missing a technique for using it without a crank?

I made a power one out of a trailer jack and a window crank motor.

 

[zkling]

Folks complain about this all the time. I think they either need to a.work out a bit or b.use a proper size drill press for the job. Drill presses are probably one of the most misunderstood tools the average person can buy. People always seem to want to slow them way down or add a table crank. Surprisngly the manufactures did a pretty dang good job desigining the capabilities into the presses.

To answer your question I have a mix, the ones with the cranks have either production or T slot tables on them. Now understand these tables weigh 75lbs+ just by them selves and they were designed to have heavy jigs on them. The smaller one with just a basic table does not have a lift mechanism, not needed. Use one hand to hold the table and the other to slightly release the column clamp.

There are many versions of homemade table lifts out there, but to be successful you need to keep in mind the 2:1 rule. Which usually means that lifiting from the bottom of the table is not the best

For common home shop type work, I think they are more of a pain than anything as large adjustments take much longer than gravity and brute force.

 

[JCMTools]

It's a floor model. 15-091. I've never been happy with it, and I don't know if I should sell it and look for a vintage Craftsman or restore it. Any advice?

 

[JCMTools]

So it sounds like operator error rather than a drill press problem.

Folks complain about this all the time. I think they either need to a.work out a bit or b.use a proper size drill press for the job. Drill presses are probably one of the most misunderstood tools the average person can buy. People always seem to want to slow them way down or add a table crank. Surprisngly the manufactures did a pretty dang good job desigining the capabilities into the presses.

To answer your question I have a mix, the ones with the cranks have either production or T slot tables on them. Now understand these tables weigh 75lbs+ just by them selves and they were designed to have heavy jigs on them. The smaller one with just a basic table does not have a lift mechanism, not needed. Use one hand to hold the table and the other to slightly release the column clamp.

There are many versions of homemade table lifts out there, but to be successful you need to keep in mind the 2:1 rule. Which usually means that lifiting from the bottom of the table is not the best

For common home shop type work, I think they are more of a pain than anything as large adjustments take much longer than gravity and brute force.

 

[schor]

So it sounds like operator error rather than a drill press problem.

I wouldn't call it operator error.

I am assuming you want the crank because you are moving the table enough to care. So I don't see anything wrong with either sourcing one to fit, making your own or selling the press and getting something with a crank.

Now you also said "look for a vintage Craftsman or restore it" did you mean 'or restore your delta' or did you mean 'and restore the vintage craftsman'.

If your into vintage presses (I am) and your willing to find and restore it, I'd go that route. Older machines if they are not abused are much better than anything newer, don't limit yourself to a craftsman. Figure out what you want and how much time and $ your willing to put into making an old press new again. I've done a few drill presses, they are really easy to fix up.

 

[larry_g]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=148023&d=1320595905

I added an air spring to the bottom of my table. It is a 30lb unit and does just about right for my table. If I have a heavy vise on it it will drop on its own. With nothing on the table I have to push it down. It works for me..

lg
no neat sig line

 

[A_Pmech]

I find table cranks on light duty drill presses annoying. The reason why I'm using the machine in the first place is because it's light and fast. Cranking away on a table crank slows things down.

Instead, I would look at adding a table counterweight inside the column.

 

[JCMTools]

I am interested in vintage tools, particularly craftsman tools that are high quality. Are there any particular CM drill presses I should be looking for?

Thanks,
John

I wouldn't call it operator error.

I am assuming you want the crank because you are moving the table enough to care. So I don't see anything wrong with either sourcing one to fit, making your own or selling the press and getting something with a crank.

Now you also said "look for a vintage Craftsman or restore it" did you mean 'or restore your delta' or did you mean 'and restore the vintage craftsman'.

If your into vintage presses (I am) and your willing to find and restore it, I'd go that route. Older machines if they are not abused are much better than anything newer, don't limit yourself to a craftsman. Figure out what you want and how much time and $ your willing to put into making an old press new again. I've done a few drill presses, they are really easy to fix up.

 

[JCMTools]

I like that idea. Where did you get the air spring?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=148023&d=1320595905

I added an air spring to the bottom of my table. It is a 30lb unit and does just about right for my table. If I have a heavy vise on it it will drop on its own. With nothing on the table I have to push it down. It works for me..

lg
no neat sig line

 

[JCMTools]

Folks complain about this all the time. I think they either need to a.work out a bit or b.use a proper size drill press for the job. Drill presses are probably one of the most misunderstood tools the average person can buy. People always seem to want to slow them way down or add a table crank. Surprisngly the manufactures did a pretty dang good job desigining the capabilities into the presses.

It sounds like I am one of those people that don't understand how/on what to use a drill press. Do you have any suggestions on where I can get some good information?

 

[larry_g]

I like that idea. Where did you get the air spring?

Mcmaster Carr. I actually had to replace one on the canopy of my pickup so ordered a pair and used the one old good one from the canopy.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#gas-springs/=uogehe

lg
no neat sig line

 

[zkling]

It sounds like I am one of those people that don't understand how/on what to use a drill press. Do you have any suggestions on where I can get some good information?

Where do you seem to be having problems? Clean the column and clamp mechanism real well then wax them. Barring any physical ailments the table will slide up and down very easily with one hand, keeping the other hand on the clamp lever. What are you trying to drill? That is really a 3/8" in steel, 1/2" max. I have the older version of that machine but it has a production table (with crank). For minor adjustments, go up to high and then put your hand on the column below the table, then release the clamp slightly. Your hand will act as the stop.

At times I wish I had that table over the production table, it is much easier for general shop work.