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Rockwell VS DP Help - Bent Spindle

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FallibleFlyer

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Hey Folks,

I picked up a Rockwell 15-350 Drill Press off of Craigslist yesterday. Overall I'm pleased with the purchase, however, what I thought was a loose chuck is actually a bent spindle. I'll get it pulled out of the quill this afternoon, but I'm hoping to source options from the community.

My first plan was to throw it in my press and try and straighten it.

Second option is to replace it, but unsurprisingly it isn't made anymore. Best I can tell the spindle (Delta 402043855006) is common to all 15" Delta/Rockwell drill presses from that era. At least, according to this parts reference. Ebay hasn't turned up much, there is a similar complete quill and spindle assembly, but its not for the 6" quill version which I assume must be a different length.

I also found multiple postings online with people suggesting to take it to a local shop to get straightened. Not opposed, but can't say I even remotely know where to go. Likely leave this as the last option (unless a member runs a shop and says "I gotchu bro").

View media item 82057
Any help is appreciated :bowdown:
 
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Davefr

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I'd suggest you remove the lower spindle and confirm it's really bent vs. worn out bearings, loose in the quill or a loose bearing closure nut.

If the spindle is really bent it shouldn't be too hard to find.

Take some detailed images with dimensions and post it to the BOYD forum at owwm.org.

I'm pretty confident someone can help you with that part. I believe it's common to many models/generations of DP's.
 
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FallibleFlyer

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Figured I should add some more details if I want actual help, so I went and tore the rest of it down.

Looks like the bend is just below the lower bearing leading into the taper. I know my welding table isn't perfectly flat but you can see the deflection when rolling it. I've got a dial indicator somewhere and can likely rig up a better measurement, but for now this at least shows where the problem is.

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Below are some general measurements and photos of the parts in question. They all seem like it could be fairly standard and there may be more common replacements I'm just not aware of.

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View media item 82068
 
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FallibleFlyer

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Davefr said:
I'd suggest you remove the lower spindle and confirm it's really bent vs. worn out bearings or a loose bearing closure nut.

If the spindle is really bent it shouldn't be too hard to find.

Take some detailed images with dimensions and post it to the BOYD forum at owwm.org.

I'm pretty confident someone can help you with that part. I believe it's common to many models.
Click to expand...

You beat me by one minute ha.
 
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larry_g

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I had a bent spindle on my old Buffalo and my fix was;

Straighten as best I could. It was within a few thousands.

Chuck it in the lathe and recut the taper.

Recutting the taper puts it back on center even if the shaft has a couple of thou of runout.

Worked for me

lg
no neat sig line
 
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FallibleFlyer

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Perhaps this is a dumb question, but will a quill assembly from a Rockwell 17" version fit assuming its the same diameter? I can't think of a compelling reason why not other than it would likely stick out two inches lower??
 
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454ragtop

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Just checking in. Can't help with a replacement spindle, I have a lot of Delta 17" parts, but no 15" I'm afraid. I'd recommend putting it back together, and straighten it on the machine. I straighten them all the time, they're really not that strong and bend pretty easily. Need a dial indicator, and either put as large a piece of rod as the chuck will accept, or put some sort of protective sleeve over the taper, and give it a whack with a hammer on the high side. Start out with lighter taps and see how it moves, adding force as necessary to get it to move, checking with the dial indicator as you go. Should be able to get it down to .001" runout if you're careful. It's already bent, so what do you have to lose? Believe it or not, this is how bent crankshafts are straightened. Good luck.
 
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FallibleFlyer

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larry_g said:
I had a bent spindle on my old Buffalo and my fix was;

Straighten as best I could. It was within a few thousands.

Chuck it in the lathe and recut the taper.

Recutting the taper puts it back on center even if the shaft has a couple of thou of runout.

Worked for me

lg
no neat sig line
Click to expand...

Sadly I have no lathe to do those final corrections in... Though I suppose there may be a makerspace near me that has an appropriate setup.
 
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FallibleFlyer

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454ragtop said:
Just checking in. Can't help with a replacement spindle, I have a lot of Delta 17" parts, but no 15" I'm afraid. I'd recommend putting it back together, and straighten it on the machine. I straighten them all the time, they're really not that strong and bend pretty easily. Need a dial indicator, and either put as large a piece of rod as the chuck will accept, or put some sort of protective sleeve over the taper, and give it a whack with a hammer on the high side. Start out with lighter taps and see how it moves, adding force as necessary to get it to move, checking with the dial indicator as you go. Should be able to get it down to .001" runout if you're careful. It's already bent, so what do you have to lose? Believe it or not, this is how bent crankshafts are straightened. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Yeah I tried this before I removed it, didn't make a difference. Was hesitant to hit it too hard on the machine in fear of causing collateral damage.
 
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Davefr

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The 17" quill housing might fit the DP head, but the spindle is completely different. The Rockwell 17" uses a 2 part spindle with two ball bearings on the bottom spindle and two on the upper spindle. The upper spindle on the 17" will likely be incompatible with your head casting and pulley arrangement.
 

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454ragtop

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The only possible damage might be to a bearing I suppose, but I've never had that happen. Besides bearings are easy to come by compared to spindles. As to your ealier question, doubt a 17" quill will work, everything is bigger on a 17". I'll measure the OD of one for chuckles and post it back here in a few minutes.
 
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FallibleFlyer

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Well, I called a local machine shop, Southwest Machine Engineering. A guy by the name of Larry answered and I told him what I was dealing with and asked if he'd help. He simply replied "I'm game." I stopped by later and after ten minutes with a gauge and a massive press he had it within 0.001. All for the low price of a handshake, I'll take it!

So, lesson learned, just ask for help.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
 
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