Alternate source for Drill Press Columns?

[Tano]

Hello everyone, this is my fist post but I have been enjoying all of the useful information that is available on this site. before I post my question I will let everyone know that I did do several searches and did not find anything posted on this topic, but please keep in mind that it may be "user error" not lack of material on this forum.

Here goes, I am restoring a few Craftsman 100/150 drill presses and have bought a column or two in the process, not the cheapest way to get this particular piece since shipping is a killer. Has anyone found a good alternate source for a 2 3/4" OD column? and also maybe a 1 7/8" column? When the smoke clears I will end up with an extra base and table that I was considering converting into grinder stand and I could use some columns for the project.
Thanks for bothering to read this post.

 

[mkat1951]

Sorry this doesn't help, but great question! I'm curious to know as well, I have an old floor standing Rockwell drill press that someone cut the column to make a bench top model and I would love to switch it back.

 

[454ragtop]

I have bench top columns in 1-7/8, 2-1/2, 2-3/4, 3-1/2 and maybe other sizes if anyone fairly local is looking for one. Like you say, shipping can be a killer, though I wonder if FedEx might not be too bad.

 

[The Cobbler]

I think drill press columns are ground but you probably can use dom tubing . available online at metal suppliers, ebay etc
one source http://www.speedymetals.com/c-8242-round-tube.aspx

 

[VocaTexas]

Buy some slightly over-sized tubing and have it turned to size on a lathe?

 

[rsanter]

Hello everyone, this is my fist post but I have been enjoying all of the useful information that is available on this site. before I post my question I will let everyone know that I did do several searches and did not find anything posted on this topic, but please keep in mind that it may be "user error" not lack of material on this forum.

Here goes, I am restoring a few Craftsman 100/150 drill presses and have bought a column or two in the process, not the cheapest way to get this particular piece since shipping is a killer. Has anyone found a good alternate source for a 2 3/4" OD column? and also maybe a 1 7/8" column? When the smoke clears I will end up with an extra base and table that I was considering converting into grinder stand and I could use some columns for the project.
Thanks for bothering to read this post.

I have bought junker drill presses a couple times just to get the base or table I need

 

[rsanter]

Sorry this doesn't help, but great question! I'm curious to know as well, I have an old floor standing Rockwell drill press that someone cut the column to make a bench top model and I would love to switch it back.

I had this same problem and unfortunately the column size would not let me use tubing. It was obvious they originally bought tubing and then took a few thou off the OD to make it a column.
I used a piece of pipe that I welded to the bottom of the column that had been cut. The head and the table always stayed on that section of original column so everything was straight.
I had to use sheetmetal to shim the OD of the pipe to clamp into the base.

I eventually found a drill press with a junk head that had the column I needed to make it right

 

[dutchgray]

I would be going round the local machine shops myself if I needed one, they would be able to make you something, mine has a 70mm dia solid bar as a column, I have a spare bench length the same off a production drill head that got scrapped. Picked up another bench drill today with a tube.

 

[Packard V8]

I eventually found a drill press with a junk head that had the column I needed to make it right

Patience is the key. The parts are out there. eBay is rife with scavengers who buy machines and part them out for exhorbitent bitsa prices. If you watch craigslist and garage sales, an affordable part will come along.

FWIW, older drill press prices seem actually to be declining. I've picked up three working or mostly complete machines for less than $100 each.

I would be going round the local machine shops myself if I needed one, they would be able to make you something,

Yes, in theory. Then, it would help to have a friend in one of the local shops. Machine shop time begins at $100 an hour and only if business is slow and someone is in a good mood. (I'm in a machine shop and this kind of walk-in usually gets told "no, too busy," or estimated high enough to head them to the door.)

jack vines

 

[MShaw]

Since it is a fractional size you can buy turned, ground, and polished (TGP)shafting that is very accurate. Unfortunately it is not cheap.

This is McMaster, Carr pricing:

2 3/4" -0.0005" to 0" Softened (Annealed) 5227T39
100.48 For one foot 3 ft.
233.11 For three feet
401.92 For six feet

Local steel suppliers should be less expensive.

 

[Tano]

Thank you everyone for your feedback, in the grand scheme of things given the alternate costs, locating a column on CL or Ebay is probably the least expensive and easiest route.

 

[crguy]

Yes, in theory. Then, it would help to have a friend in one of the local shops. Machine shop time begins at $100 an hour and only if business is slow and someone is in a good mood. (I'm in a machine shop and this kind of walk-in usually gets told "no, too busy," or estimated high enough to head them to the door.)

jack vines

Thanks for that comment, it's so very true. So often you see somebody pipe up with the "take it to a local machine shop" idea when in over 99% of the cases that is completely out of the question cost wise.

 

[dutchgray]

Thanks for that comment, it's so very true. So often you see somebody pipe up with the "take it to a local machine shop" idea when in over 99% of the cases that is completely out of the question cost wise.

It probably helps in my case that we know a steam engine guy who works out his own shop and always needs to make some money, Though I would expect turning out a column would still not be cheap. There dosent seem to be many people parting out drills here, probably because good English made pillar drills can still be found pretty cheaply.