Cleaning Up A Harbor Freight Drill Press....??

[Crow Horse]

I picked up a used Harbor Freight?Central Machinery 13" 16 speed floor mount drill press for $50. It has a couple of obvious minor issues: damaged switch housing (I already repaired it) and a missing feed handle knob.

Going beyond a good cleanup, what should I look for or do? I realize that this unit doesn't scream precision but for what I currently do, I think it'll work out well.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Check the run out, how's the chuck? belt ok? as long as the table squares up to the chuck it will drill straight, sounds good for 50$

 

[matt_i]

I'd take a look at the chuck and make sure the key fits and engages well.

After that I would look for a milling machine vise. Kurt D675 or knockoff is a nice size or go for a basically obsolete "Bridgeport" vise...there was a time period before the anti-lift sliding jaw was developed (the Kurt design) where conventional jaws were all that was available. Its the ~80 lb mass that keeps it stable while drilling thru things.

 

[Crow Horse]

Initial cleanup......
(crappy pic)