Anyone modify their drill press for more height?

[deezilram]

I have a Delta floor standing drill press that is a little bit too short to fit in some rectangular frames I need to drill some holes in. Anyone ever run into this problem and changed out the existing column for a taller one? Looking at the parts diagram, it seems it would be sort of a remove and replace operation. Am I missing anything obvious?

Thx - Deezil

 

[tool_scrounge]

If your Delta drill press has a 2.75" diameter column, look for a Sears Craftsman column from a 100/150 floor drill press. They were 6" or so taller than the 1950's vintage Delta drill press columns.

 

[PT Doc]

Sourcing tubing in the right dimensions for your press could allow you to make it as tall as you want. Could be pricy though. What about a magnetic drill to put the whole where you want it?

 

[rsanter]

How about bolt a spacer between the base and the base column holder

Bob

 

[Kevin54]

It could be modified fairly easily. Split the tube towards the bottom and add a sleeve on the outside that fits your tube. Leave enough bearing surface to keep things rigid. You could bolt the sleeve with two bolts on each end of the sleeve.

What you don't want to do is modify it at the top because the head is perpendicular to the post from the factory and also square with the table. The head doesn't care what the base does.

 

[the gypsy]

If it is a table top model can you turn the base 180 degrees so to free up space and bolt it in to a heavy and solid stucture to hold it all.

 

[Jack Olsen]

If it's just for this one job, why not make a platform for it? I'm thinking a C-shaped platform (open in front), so you could insert the stock and go to work.

If it's an ongoing need, that's different. The pillar is pretty easy to work with. I shortened mine from floor-mounted to bench-mounted. Took about 15 minutes, but there's no going back.

 

[deezilram]

thanks for all the ideas guys - it is a one time deal where I need to drill about 90 holes in a number of aluminum frames. I'm thinking a riser block underneath the base and spinning the head and table around 180 deg will actually be the simplest (read least expensive...) solution to get the height I need. Lots of food for thought however! Thanks to all who chimed in with ideas

Deezil

 

[larry_g]

What you don't want to do is modify it at the top because the head is perpendicular to the post from the factory and also square with the table. The head doesn't care what the base does.

What Kevin says here is important. The column is finished and the precision of the DP is dependent on the quill being parallel to the column and the spindle in tram with table.

I was going to respond with the suggestion Jack made. Raise the base up.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[WWIIjeep]

If your Delta drill press has a 2.75" diameter column, look for a Sears Craftsman column from a 100/150 floor drill press. They were 6" or so taller than the 1950's vintage Delta drill press columns.

Craftsman 100/150 floor drill press columns are only 2-1/2" taller than older Delta columns (62-1/2" to 60").

If that's not enough of an increase, you'd have to go to a post-1968 Craftsman drill press to get a taller-yet column, but one issue with those later taller Craftsman columns is that they often have a pretty rough finish and can be a couple of thousandths smaller in diameter than the older columns. Not saying it won't work, just that it may be an issue.

The solution we used at work to raise the working height was to add a 12" high base made from steel plate and channel iron, but that won't get you the added capacity you're looking for between the spindle and the base.

I've seen several examples where people have lengthened original columns by cutting another column to the desired increase in height, making a plug to align the two sections, then welding the sections together and grinding the weld smooth.

 

[JC23]

I lag bolted a pair of 6X6 beams cut to match the base of my Ridgid DP.

Now, it's the right height every time I use it and a bit more stable.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Craftsman 100/150 floor drill press columns are only 2-1/2" taller than older Delta columns (62-1/2" to 60").

Hmm... I just had two of them next to each other and it was a lot more than 2.5"

 

[WWIIjeep]

Hmm... I just had two of them next to each other and it was a lot more than 2.5"

What vintage and what actual measurement?

I had two Craftsman 150s available to measure and they were both 62-1/2". One was a late-50s and the other was early-60s. I know the next model after the King-Seeley/Emerson 100/150 drill presses was a little taller yet, but no longer have one of those to actually measure.

It's possible that King-Seeley/Emerson changed the dimensions on some models and not on others.

Older Delta 14" and 15" drill press columns are 60". Newer ones (70s-80s-90s vintage) are 65-1/4"

 

[the gypsy]

Hi Deezil, I am happy to be of help. Let us know how it all works out.

 

[Outlawmws]

I would stick with finding material for the column. cutting and splicing will work, but you certain to get out of square with the base, which is becoming your DP "table" for the tall items.

If you raise the base, be sure to make it stable, keeping in mind if you swing the DP head off to the side, you are more likely to tip the sucker over in that direction. (Something REALLY heavy on the base would be helpful.)

 

[RCStocker]

If it is a table top model can you turn the base 180 degrees so to free up space and bolt it in to a heavy and solid stucture to hold it all.

HELLO! He said it was a floor model. Please stay with us. We would hate to loose you. LOL

As stated install another piece of pipe the same diameter and put a sleeve over it if you can find the right pipe or buy a new column. If you have a 17 inch drill press you should not have a problem. My 17" Delta variable speed is the same height as my 20 inch Wilton. The inch number is the largest center you can drill to. A 20" drill press will drill the whole in the center 10 inches in.

You might be better off buying a larger used drill press. The post can cost a bundle.

You can turn the base around backwards and put it up on a block of wood. Bolt the whole thing to the floor and use it that way. As long as it has for huge bolts holding it down it should work just fine. You might gain an inch that way depending on the design of the press. The table should go down a little farther if it does not touch the base. It sounds like you need a radial press.

 

[tool_scrounge]

What vintage and what actual measurement?

I had two Craftsman 150s available to measure and they were both 62-1/2". One was a late-50s and the other was early-60s. I know the next model after the King-Seeley/Emerson 100/150 drill presses was a little taller yet, but no longer have one of those to actually measure.

It's possible that King-Seeley/Emerson changed the dimensions on some models and not on others.

Older Delta 14" and 15" drill press columns are 60". Newer ones (70s-80s-90s vintage) are 65-1/4"

The Delta drill press was 1947 DP220. The King Seeley was originally a bench model (late 1940's) but I picked up a King Seeley 103.24820 base and post. I believe the second attached photo is of the more complete 103.24820 drill press from the person that I got the base and column from. I no longer have the Delta DP220 or the 130.24820 column and base so I cannot get measurements. The height difference was pretty surprising.

 

[the gypsy]

Hi RCStocker, I did say if it is a table top model. Then again even if it is a floor model he can still elevate it somewhat and screw it into the substrate and the substrate into the floor. This is what I suggested. Then you come along and insult me but later in your post say the same thing I did.
Here is your quote, "You can turn the base around backwards and put it up on a block of wood. Bolt the whole thing to the floor and use it that way. As long as it has for huge bolts holding it down it should work just fine."

 

[Kevin54]

WhooHoo.......I'm IBTL

 

[the gypsy]

I apologize for my ignorance but what does IBTL stand for?

 

[OccupantRJ]

If the design allows, it may be possible to invert the column in the head, bolt it to the rafters, then use it that way for a tall frame assembly drilling, as the pressure will be between rafters and floor.

 

[the gypsy]

HELLO! He said it was a floor model. Please stay with us. We would hate to loose you. LOL (as stated by RCStocker)

He did not say it was a ceiling model Hello. LOL

 

[Kevin54]

I apologize for my ignorance but what does IBTL stand for?

IBTL=In Before the lock.

A little name calling or sounding a little pissy, gets a thread locked down pretty quick.

Hi RCStocker, I did say if it is a table top model. Then again even if it is a floor model he can still elevate it somewhat and screw it into the substrate and the substrate into the floor. This is what I suggested. Then you come along and insult me but later in your post say the same thing I did.
Here is your quote, "You can turn the base around backwards and put it up on a block of wood. Bolt the whole thing to the floor and use it that way. As long as it has for huge bolts holding it down it should work just fine."

It sort of like the old west, drawing on someone then telling them to meet you in the street at high noon.

 

[the gypsy]

Yes I was feeling a little pissy. I choose my words carefully before I post and for someone to post that kind of a response kinda pushed me over the edge a little.