bri_man57
Well-known member
Hey Gents,
Looking for some advice on a direction to go with my atlas benchtop Drill Press.
So, as far as I can tell, this is from around the 1940's, I say this because the research I have done suggested that in the 50's, they changed the head design. I do really like this drill press, its runs true, its old American metal, and it was gifted to me by a family member.
I have been using it and it WAS doing okay, I had an issue that every once in a while when I would start it, the motor would make a much louder noise like the starter contact was sticking and it would start smoking! A quick turn off and back and it would work fine. So I knew the motor was going to need replacing. Well, on Sunday, I was using it and the motor decided to let all of the smoke out
. It doesn't turn on anymore, so time to do something with it.
I do mostly metal drilling. I use rota-broach alot and has been doing pretty good, but some bigger drills will make the belt slip, and I feel like the 1/4HP motor is pretty low HP for drilling hole saws through metal (pretty much worst case). I could be wrong, I typically had access to a bigger drill press so wasnt "pushing" this one as much. Current living situation, dont have anymore wall space for a floor drill press (which I have one is storage, but that one needs a VFD, has a production table, and doesnt go lower than 330 RPM, hole different thread is needed for that when I get my own spot), so would like to keep a benchtop setup.
The night it happened I hoped on criagslist and saw a Grizzly Benchtop, 3/4hp, went all the way down to 140 RPM (uncommon for benchtop units). Guy was asking $350, I tried to hop on it while realizing I would just sell this atlas for next to nothing. Grizzly sold before I could snag it, so got me thinking about resurrecting the atlas again.
Now, even though I like this little guy, it only has a 1/4" HP motor, which I wouldnt buy if it I were on craiglist. Also, the belts dont look factory to me, they are small. The guy who had this originally was a machinist so it wouldn't surprise me if the pulleys were not original. It has the speed reducer middle pulley, but I am not convinced this is a factory version of it.
So my thoughts are, and what I wanted some input on, to maybe throw at least a 1/2 HP motor on there. Its a 56Z frame, which means a 56 mount and the motor is the non standard size, and is 1/2".
If I put a 1/2HP motor on it, it should be a solid little DP, but do these belts stand a chance? If I do put a motor on it, should I be looking at pulleys/belts that are more traditional sizing? Do I have a chance of getting into the mid 200 RPM range if I go that route (I have no idea what the slow speed is currently). If i do all of this, what if the spindle bearings are rough not too long after? Are they something I can find?
I'm not exactly interested in restoring machines, and dont want to be tons of cash into this guy, but I feel like it might be worth it. Especially with the quality that is out there now.
What would you guys do if you wanted to drill metal with this guy??
Any input is appreciated!
Looking for some advice on a direction to go with my atlas benchtop Drill Press.
So, as far as I can tell, this is from around the 1940's, I say this because the research I have done suggested that in the 50's, they changed the head design. I do really like this drill press, its runs true, its old American metal, and it was gifted to me by a family member.
I have been using it and it WAS doing okay, I had an issue that every once in a while when I would start it, the motor would make a much louder noise like the starter contact was sticking and it would start smoking! A quick turn off and back and it would work fine. So I knew the motor was going to need replacing. Well, on Sunday, I was using it and the motor decided to let all of the smoke out
. It doesn't turn on anymore, so time to do something with it. I do mostly metal drilling. I use rota-broach alot and has been doing pretty good, but some bigger drills will make the belt slip, and I feel like the 1/4HP motor is pretty low HP for drilling hole saws through metal (pretty much worst case). I could be wrong, I typically had access to a bigger drill press so wasnt "pushing" this one as much. Current living situation, dont have anymore wall space for a floor drill press (which I have one is storage, but that one needs a VFD, has a production table, and doesnt go lower than 330 RPM, hole different thread is needed for that when I get my own spot), so would like to keep a benchtop setup.
The night it happened I hoped on criagslist and saw a Grizzly Benchtop, 3/4hp, went all the way down to 140 RPM (uncommon for benchtop units). Guy was asking $350, I tried to hop on it while realizing I would just sell this atlas for next to nothing. Grizzly sold before I could snag it, so got me thinking about resurrecting the atlas again.
Now, even though I like this little guy, it only has a 1/4" HP motor, which I wouldnt buy if it I were on craiglist. Also, the belts dont look factory to me, they are small. The guy who had this originally was a machinist so it wouldn't surprise me if the pulleys were not original. It has the speed reducer middle pulley, but I am not convinced this is a factory version of it.
So my thoughts are, and what I wanted some input on, to maybe throw at least a 1/2 HP motor on there. Its a 56Z frame, which means a 56 mount and the motor is the non standard size, and is 1/2".
If I put a 1/2HP motor on it, it should be a solid little DP, but do these belts stand a chance? If I do put a motor on it, should I be looking at pulleys/belts that are more traditional sizing? Do I have a chance of getting into the mid 200 RPM range if I go that route (I have no idea what the slow speed is currently). If i do all of this, what if the spindle bearings are rough not too long after? Are they something I can find?
I'm not exactly interested in restoring machines, and dont want to be tons of cash into this guy, but I feel like it might be worth it. Especially with the quality that is out there now.
What would you guys do if you wanted to drill metal with this guy??
Any input is appreciated!
