A Question on a 103.23640 Craftsman D/P

[tombell572]

I recently picked up a nice craftsman bench drill that I am going through and will pass along to my son who is a new homeowner and setting up his own shop. BTW, profuse thanks to Frank Lee for his outstanding thread on these machines--so many questions clearly answered!

The head and table are secured to the column by a through bolt that draws in two white metal "table support locks" against the column when the bolt is tightened. I've noticed that when the bolt is loosened, the support locks remained jammed against the column and I've had to remove the bolt and pop out the lock pieces to move the table and head. I'll add that everything has been cleaned an lubed thoroughly so there is no foreign matter binding things up. Also, I am no stranger to machine rebuilding but this is my first experience with a Craftsman machine.

Am I overlooking something obvious here?? Is this a typical characteristic of these table locks?

Tom B.

 

[FrankLee]

I recently picked up a nice craftsman bench drill that I am going through and will pass along to my son who is a new homeowner and setting up his own shop. BTW, profuse thanks to Frank Lee for his outstanding thread on these machines--so many questions clearly answered!

The head and table are secured to the column by a through bolt that draws in two white metal "table support locks" against the column when the bolt is tightened. I've noticed that when the bolt is loosened, the support locks remained jammed against the column and I've had to remove the bolt and pop out the lock pieces to move the table and head. I'll add that everything has been cleaned an lubed thoroughly so there is no foreign matter binding things up. Also, I am no stranger to machine rebuilding but this is my first experience with a Craftsman machine.

Am I overlooking something obvious here?? Is this a typical characteristic of these table locks?

Tom B.

Hello Tom. I appreciate the kind words.

No, you are not overlooking anything. That is very typical of the cast lock cylinders... especially the table locks. They get loosened and tightened repeatedly and the bevel will deform and not release. Occasionally, the OD of the cylinders can get out-of-round.

If you haven't seen this post, check it out.

A few options:

1. Sand or file the bevel steeper to eliminate the "column curve" on the bevel. Or, sand a new bevel opposite the original.
2. Add a spring between the cylinders. Check the link at the end of the post above regarding the mod JZiggy posted.
3. Swap-out the cast cylinders with steel cylinders.

 

[tombell572]

Thank you, Frank--that answers everything. Somehow I had neglected to check your thread before asking the question.

Tom B.