Craftsman 100 103.23640 Runout

[slackjaw]

Hi all,

I have had a Craftsman 100 drill press for several years.

After countless milling operations (generally always trying to enlarge an area for screws), when I now lower the chuck, it makes a click/clunk right about the time I hit the table, and moves ever so slightly off center. I assume this means that something is off and needs to be replaced/cleaned/adjusted. Any pointers?

 

[subroc]

Check the upper pulley and see if it moves up when you hear the click/clunk.

 

[slackjaw]

Pulley does not appear to move.

I forgot to mention something that could be relevant in my original post.

This only happens when there is any lateral pressure on the bit. If I have no workpiece or am drilling a hole on a flat piece it doesn't click/move. However, if I drill a pilot hole with a centering bit, and then put in the drill bit, that center with a chamfer is enough lateral pressure for it to click/move.

 

[subroc]

I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. FrankLee is the expert here.

He has a terrific thread that has all sorts of information on Craftsman Drill Presses. Pretty much the bible.

I would try to identify where the click is coming from. Also, does the chuck move or does it appear to be the entire spindle assembly? Depending on what chuck you have, like a 633c, it may have loosened a bit and could be causing a problem like that. Check the ring and see if it is loose.

here

 

[JoCoSawdust]

If you've got a morse taper chuck, all those countless milling operations you've done with your press have probably screwed it up. Morse tapers hate lateral pressure. It's not what that type of chuck is designed for.