Drill press handle fix

[AnEv942]

I have drill press with typical 3 spoke handle. The handle are wallowing out hub-just cant keep tight which wallows out....

Anyway I was going to make a simple ring out of some flat bar, laying out it occured to me all I really need to do is cut another 1" of thread on handles, place some lock nuts on either side of hub. Hub is hollow, handle holes are threaded thru (part of problem, handles only snug due to hitting unthreaded section).

Simple? Removed the handles-the thread is formed, OD larger than rod OD- cant 'cut' more thread. Wasnt too disapointed as I rather do the ring if I can-kinda see adding a spinner knob. But adding holes to ring large enough to pass handle thread will be ~45 thou bigger than rod. Not going to add much support. Suppose I could weld handles at ring, or could weld exisiting handles to hub but dont really want to do that.

Only other option I can think of, as exisiting metric thread is smaller than 1/2" is retapping the hub and handle knobs, use some 1/2" rod and make new handles (with a lot more thread for locking nuts).
Kinda dont want to do that either. Actually if it were not so annoying and I know eventually going to fail I wouldnt do anything-

I Looked around quite a bit but didnt see where any one addressed this. I would assume some clever person might have. So just throwing it out there for any ideas-suggestions. Yes new hub and handles can still be had but other than the expense doesnt really fix.

 

[lilredex]

If the threads are still OK in the hub you could apply a bit of nail polish to the handle to keep it in place. If the thread is wobbly, look for some very fine wire to wrap the handle first.

I brazed a 1/2" bolt on mine and re-tapped the holes, for now.....still thinking about making some new handles and make them "Toro" style at the same time.


photo hosting

 

[d.mcfarland]

What about just welding the handles to the hub and be done. Guaranteed! haha

 

[dadsEH]

Yeah! Weld those suckers on, you know you want to!
And pics! We need the proverbial pics!

 

[AnEv942]

I ve tried everything from aviation to red locktite. Eventaully they start to loosen.

Welding certainly would fix, Might be able to also plug weld from inside the hub...If I remember correctly thats an option.

That Toro handle is interesting-be nice where doing a lot of repetitive plunging a full stroke..

 

[The Cobbler]

what about running a die up the shaft so you can put on a jamnut to lock them in place?

 

[rsanter]

How about a little epoxy and then thread the handles in.
If there are any threads left it will grab on both sides

Bob

 

[Packard V8]

I ve tried everything from aviation to red locktite. Eventaully they start to loosen.

That eventually happens to all the Chicom DPs if they're used hard enough long enough. There isn't enough material in the hub and what is there is too soft.

Bottom line - they are what they are. A modified/epoxied/welded/rethreaded/double-lock-nutted hub will still be attached to what it is. JMHO, but start looking for an old USA DP.

jack vines

 

[AnEv942]

Well I agree with you jack, one of the reasons I was and am going to add some kind of support between the handle rods. I picked this up new in '94-as a cheap consumable tool, never thinking it would tolerate the abuse its seen 20 years later.

Closer inspection its obvious rethreading or welding is required, one rod enters bout 1/4 past thread so hole is expanding, I can start a 1/2" bolt. Removed the cross shaft to see if it would offer more options but in doing so removed the idea of plug welding nutting from back.


Not what I remember- hub up to cross shaft is one piece. Not doing anything thru that.


Looking around started playing with old vw ring gear ..hmm I just threw away '70s flat bent 3 spoke steering wheel, falt bolt on center, would have bolted right to face of hub. dang it. Looked at different ways of cutting gear, welding, easy but not doing the Wankel motor. The reverse arc Im liking -alot. Have to get creative at the ends but doable. Realized why though why I started with a flat ring that handles could slip thru-Been occasion I need to remove a handle to reach inside of something to drill. Started thinking about how I could bolt supports, goes for days.

If I had metric tap&die to clean hole and handle thinking just tap face of hub for set screws, file a flat on handle hub threads. Which if I simply end up making 1/2" handles I would do. Oh well
Spent more time eyeballing than if I had a plan to execute, on the back burner for now...

 

[Zeke]

Drill in from the side and thread in a set screw.

 

[Carla]

I have drill press with typical 3 spoke handle. The handle are wallowing out hub-just cant keep tight which wallows out....

Anyway I was going to make a simple ring out of some flat bar, laying out it occured to me all I really need to do is cut another 1" of thread on handles, place some lock nuts on either side of hub. Hub is hollow, handle holes are threaded thru (part of problem, handles only snug due to hitting unthreaded section).

Simple? Removed the handles-the thread is formed, OD larger than rod OD- cant 'cut' more thread. Wasnt too disapointed as I rather do the ring if I can-kinda see adding a spinner knob. But adding holes to ring large enough to pass handle thread will be ~45 thou bigger than rod. Not going to add much support. Suppose I could weld handles at ring, or could weld exisiting handles to hub but dont really want to do that.

Only other option I can think of, as exisiting metric thread is smaller than 1/2" is retapping the hub and handle knobs, use some 1/2" rod and make new handles (with a lot more thread for locking nuts).
Kinda dont want to do that either. Actually if it were not so annoying and I know eventually going to fail I wouldnt do anything-

I Looked around quite a bit but didnt see where any one addressed this. I would assume some clever person might have. So just throwing it out there for any ideas-suggestions. Yes new hub and handles can still be had but other than the expense doesnt really fix.

That appears to be a 'brand X' drill press, from the Orient.

Those have a limited life-span, so just welding the handles is the cost-effective way to keep it in service until it fails elsewhere.

Its not practical to put much time/work investment into one of those, but a 'quick fix' by just welding or brazing......or silver-soldering, for that matter.....should get by until you can find a suitable deal on a high-quality older American drill press.

cheers

Carla

 

[Farmall450]

+3
Weld those suckers!

 

[Zeke]

Sounds like a candidate for JB Weld.

 

[Phil S.]

I have what looks to be the same drill press (very old). I just mixed up some epoxy and it's been working got about 2 yeas now with no wobble.

 

[pepi]

Have you thought about a HeliCoil ?

 

[AnEv942]

Briefly-but I dont have any so tapping to next size, lil cheaper.

Appreciate all the ideas -Decided to just replace handles with 1/2" rod I have to start. I ended up retapping drill hub and handle. Cut some rod & threaded.


Got a little over zealous with tapering the rod to start die, I'll add 1/4" more thread to both ends thread-cut off ends. Matched the length of original handles but they could stand to be a 1/2" shorter.


But one done... ran a nylock for a base/locknut and a bit of trimage. Once I have solid handles, Ill revisit support ring.

I was almost swayed, felt like an old iron worker standing on the rail of a riveted bridge getting ready to repair it, all the folks below in unison.."Just Weld it, Weld it". Tapping the hub though sure felt like grey cast iron which would have been my luck if I stuck the mig to it.
Which now Im thinking I might not do the set screws.

 

[AnEv942]

Just adding to this thread.

Got remainder of the 1/2" replacement handles installed. Laying out for flat bar support I was going to roll, looked at adding sleeve spacers (old 1/2" shock bushings) between the support ring & knobs to tension. Realized instead I could weld to the sleeves, handles would still be removable, easier than rolling a ring. But then it occurred since using sleeves that I could weld to I could use the vw ring gear, handles still removable...

So I cut up the gear..

and welded out

The test. Wasn't sure if after welding up the handles would still be removable, but slipped right out.

Pretty amazed it actually worked, new tight handles-still removable,

Painted the 'new' handle with some left over hammered brown, ended up dissasembling & painting the entire drill-handle sure looked better raw-but its done.

 

[Tim338]

Looks good!

 

[exmaxima1]

Only other option I can think of, as exisiting metric thread is smaller than 1/2" is retapping the hub and handle knobs, use some 1/2" rod and make new handles (with a lot more thread for locking nuts).

That's what I did with my Delta DP-600. The original handles were 7/16 (an odd thread nowadays), so I replaced them with 1/2 shafts.

In my case, the hub is very substantial so all I did was ream the holes a tad below 1/2" and hammer the straight shafts in. Then I added press-on balls (also hammered on). Works great

 

[AnEv942]

Thanks- this drills hub is definitely cast iron. I figured even rethreading to 1/2" they'd be wallowing again so hence the 'ring'. I wont be letting any ring gears slip by me though. Something about the appearance, more so before painting-just seeing shelf brackets etc could be used for, kinda fun.

Anyway handle is done-