drill press column

[metalmagpie]

Restoring an old DP. I have it stripped down to the column in its holder (the holder bolts to the base casting). I had thought I could just press it out from the bottom but it seems there is a cast-in lip that the column sits down against, so I can't get to the bottom of the tube.

Got any clever ideas for pulling the column out of the foot? It's soaking in Kroil now.

metalmagpie

 

[rustybutt]

Is the holder unbolted from the base? If so. that may be all you can do. When I talked to a tech at Jet about removing the post from the base, he said the post was pressed in and I probably could not get it apart. Pictures would help. YMMV.

 

[Norcal]

Check for set screws holding the column to the base, if they are there it may take heat to get them out.

 

[metalmagpie]

I gave up and cleaned the column with the foot still on it. I did it in a lathe using a roller steady rest but the steady still left perceptible marks. Still, the rest of it is now shiny. I put some Boeshield on it to keep it that way.

There is one set screw securing the column in the base. I already had it out, wasn't stuck at all. With a medium to heavy press fit the machine didn't really need the set screw because the column isn't going anywhere anyway, but I'll put it back in when I'm done anyway.

metalmagpie

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Try a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone. Apply, apply again, and again. I've always read it works better than anything else.

 

[coljar]

If push comes to shove, and you can't get it apart, I would recommend finishing the restoration with the column left in the base. I'd hate to see you bust the casting. I'm in the process of restoring an antique barber pole and there are parts that are very hard to come by if I break something. Ok, I just read above and I'm late to the party.

 

[matt_i]

Probably about the best you could do is cross-drill the top of the column and setup a heavy slide-hammer arrangement. About a 5 lb weight on a 3/4" dia shaft. C-clamp the base, horizontally to something heavy.

If that will not take it out then its probably not worth it.

 

[EricP]

There is one set screw securing the column in the base. I already had it out, wasn't stuck at all. With a medium to heavy press fit the machine didn't really need the set screw because the column isn't going anywhere anyway, but I'll put it back in when I'm done anyway.

metalmagpie

I had a similar thing happen to me. I removed the set screw and the column wouldn't budge. Turns out there were two set screws, one on top of the other.

 

[MBfreak]

I take for granted that the post is a tube? And the base has no thru-hole?
Weld a plate on top with a water inlet fitting. Fill upp with water and then pressurize. Will pop out or at least be dislocated.

Ola

 

[justanengineer]

I normally use the "heat and beat" method with whatever monkey piss is available. With anything cast you need to be careful where you apply the force and how, in this case I'd lay the column across a bench and use a big brass drift placed as close to the column as possible. I've restored a few early drills and never heard of them being pressed in, would doubt it was given the relatively thin casting of most drill bases and the fact that it has a set screw.

 

[dw1]

Check for set screws holding the column to the base, if they are there it may take heat to get them out.

Thats what mine has, 2 - 3/4" bolts holding the column. Take some pics, there are several threads going on in the Vintage Tools forum. What kind of DP is it?

 

[metalmagpie]

Thats what mine has, 2 - 3/4" bolts holding the column. Take some pics, there are several threads going on in the Vintage Tools forum. What kind of DP is it?

It is generic Taiwanese. Exactly like a Jet JDP-20MF. The power's out here, don't want to inflict a cellphone pic.

There is no question of there being 2 set screws.

metalmagpie

 

[metalmagpie]

I take for granted that the post is a tube? And the base has no thru-hole?
Weld a plate on top with a water inlet fitting. Fill upp with water and then pressurize. Will pop out or at least be dislocated.

Ola

The column is a tube. The base has a thru-hole. Not going to weld to anything, that idea is DOA.