Atlas Model 70 Drill Press help (1930s?)

[ihavea4]

Hi guys, I recently picked up an old Atlas drill press, the floor version from a store like Goodwill near me. It's super dirty and rusty and covered with cobwebs, so I've decided to take the whole thing apart and try to restore it the best I can. I've been scouring the internet for the last week or two, but I can't really find any other models like it. From what I can tell, it looks like the model 70, which would make this almost 90 years old!

It's had a rough life though, and at some point previously, someone has modded a third pulley in the middle, and completely changed how the motor is mounted, including a good bit of welding and fabrication.

Anyway, I'd like to replace the motor base plate mainly, since the current one is broken in half and welded to a piece of steel. The only problem is, these models have a vertical alignment bar that I've never seen on any other models. Any ideas where I could find a replacement for it? Nothing is showing on eBay so far...

Lastly, some of the bearings and pulleys are frozen in place, as well as the lock nut on the quill. Any tips on getting those off without destroying it?

If I can manage to restore this thing to anything close to what it used to be, I'll be ecstatic! I just hope I can do something about that motor base plate.

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[whateg01]

Geez! Is that really the easiest way they could find to mount the motor after adding the reduction???

Dave

 

[bmwrd0]

The third pulley was added to give lower speeds than it normally has, so it was set up to cut metal. This is considered a good thing. But, in order to get the drill bits to turn the right direction, they had to flip it upside down to get the rotation direction correct. It can be replaced with an either reversable motor, a two ended motor, or one rotating in the other direction. Or, it could be wired to a drum switch to change direction.

From the looks of it (picture isn't too good on this point) it is a replacement motor from a washing machine. So, I wouldn't be too worried about that one, but what is the HP rating on it? I would guess that the press takes either a 1/3 or 1/2 hp motor. Check Craigslist or Facebook for a motor and you should find one pretty quick. Look for a single phase, 120 VAC motor. I just live a couple hours south of you in Albany, so if you need a hand with this, drop me a line.

 

[ihavea4]

Ah, that makes a lot of sense... I didn't even think of that! It's a Delco motor, 1/6 HP, 1725 RPM. Thanks for the tips, I'll definitely see what I can find. Do you think the motor base mount matters? This model has that vertical alignment bar which I haven't seen on any other model. I'd like to get a replacement to keep things similar to the original, but until then is there any reason one of the other base plates wouldn't work?

 

[bmwrd0]

If you are refering to the U-shaped cradel that the motor sits in, those are generally specific to the motor itself and not the press. The motor will need something to mount to the base that is part of the press (the actual motor mount plate) but that will be part of whatever you end up with. But, there are motors that mount by the top plate of the motor kinda like a Briggs and Stratton to a lawn mower. And those would be hard to adapt.

If what I think you are refering to as an alignment bar, it isn't. It is a depth stop. In other words, it is graduated like a ruler so you know exactly how far you have gone down and so you can stop it where you want. Put up a picture of that and I can be sure.

 

[Made in USA]

Seems to me that you'll be much happier putting a 1/2 hp 1725 rpm motor on there with an original-type pulley setup. Some info here:

http://www.lathes.co.uk/atlas-drills-31-32/

 

[bmwrd0]

It looks like his has a factory third, low-speed pulley, wich does necessitate a motor that can run in the opposite direction. Not hard to take care of, but you do need to know what is what.

I am not surprised by it needing a 1/3hp 1725, as the manual says. That would put it right in the ballpark for metal use.