Drill Press Column - Converting Bench to Floor

[moparfreak]

I've got an oldie but a goodie, a Delta DP my SFIL found cheap at auction and he's fitting up with a reclaimed DC motor from a floor scrubber along with speed control. It is a benchtop DP, but I'd like to convert it to floorstanding, as I already have a smaller benchtop Craftsman DP set up with a custom table for woodworking tasks.

It has a 2.75" column currently, and a quick check with local metal shops and it looks like it's not too hard to find 60" fine finish steel tube.

Question I have is, what is appropriate wall thickness for a floor standing model drill press? I was thinking 0.250" would be plenty but not having one myself, I was curious what type of wall thickness is common for floor standing units...

Along with this, to make sure and stabilize I'll be making a wider baseplate as well.

 

[rsanter]

the thicker the better. most are not .250 but that should be just fine.
when you get it be sure it is straight. often pipe and tube can get a little bow in it if mishandled.

also, look at how it is connected at the base. most benchtop models have a very light mounting color or sleeve at the bottom verses the standing models. with the longer column you will have a much larger moment acting on that point and it may not be stable or it could even break worse case scenario.
look and see what you think it will take

bob

 

[moparfreak]

So, you are thinking that most floor standing columns are thicker than 0.250"?

 

[astroracer]

1/4" will work just fine. Standing as a column, the stress (if any), is in compression along the axis of the tube. You are never going to bend it with the minimal stress drilling will put on it. 3/16th's would work for that matter.
Mark

 

[Dragoonmc]

The only concern for bending would be if you put a heavy piece on the table to work on. 1/4" should be plenty though in my opinion

 

[moparfreak]

Sounds good, 1/4" it is. Should be a nice setup, will be able to go super slow or fast w/o belt changes, I'll post pics once it's done.

 

[zkling]

You will be better off building a cabinet or buying the proper floor model. The tubing has to be a running fit to the split collar casting clamps. 1/4" wall is overkill for anything under a ~20" press. What model press are you trying to convert?

 

[Voi]

Question I have is, what is appropriate wall thickness for a floor standing model drill press?

Along with this, to make sure and stabilize I'll be making a wider baseplate as well.

I check on Ebay now and then for DP columns and I have seen Delta floor standing columns with bases for reasonable prices. Shipping may make it too much money but worth checking.

 

[nic6paul]

Adam check out OWWM. There are many guys in your area. Otherwise give Robert Ivens Machinery in Milwaukee a call 414.272.6686 they may be able to hook you up. If you ever head to Minnesota I may be able to source one for you.

 

[moparfreak]

Here's a few shots of part of the drill press partially reassembled. Filled the table holes in w/ epoxy then milled flat, cleaned and repainted the castings.

The current column measures about 2.745" OD. I will have to check the ID of the castings to see how much clearance there is and make sure a 2.750" tube would work.

 

[Burgerkong]

Oooo, what did you do to the post?

 

[Lassen Forge]

Both the floor and bench tubes for my Sprunger NPD15 are the same thickness... run mine as a floor model, the other tube is "just in case" I want to bench mount it.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I was in the basement when I read your post. Not sure if this helps, but here are a couple pics as a comparison. The Mitutoyo was upside in one pic, sorry. Outside, inside , wall thickness, and the set screws in the base to hold it together.