Drill press return spring

[Rstifle]

Hello all, I’m hoping one of you will be able to help me. I’m refurbishing a 1960s Ohio State University drill press. The spindle return spring is missing, and it’s not like any I’ve ever seen before. I’m hoping that somebody out there has seen one like this and can help me out. I’m going to post pictures of the spindle casing so that you can look at it.
This particular drill press is constructed of aluminum and appears to be well built.

 

[cvairwerks]

User Bob P over on VintageMachinery.org has one. Might drop him a note.

 

[Redraptor]

Looks like a tiny version of the one we have at work. The 'clockspring' set screw came loose and was spinning inside the housing. We ended up chucking up in a lathe to wind it back up by hand and tighten the set screw. Hopefully you can find the right spring or whole assembly.

 

[Earp69]

Recoil spring

 

[Rstifle]

I’m not to savy when it comes to computers. I went to vintage machinery but don't know how to contact Mr Bob P.

I suspected that there should be a bolt at the end of the gear shaft to hold the entire mechanism in place. I have a spring that i think will work, but my problem is i’m not exactly sure how this particular return works. If you look at the pic’s i attached you’ll see the end cap has a hole that goes all the way through and on the other part has a pin that protrudes where the return spring slides into.

I know the end cap (with the holes that go all the way through) pins to the geared shaft. The other part (with the pin that sticks out) is fee wheeling! So how does the damn thing work??

 

[cvairwerks]

Go here:

Photo Index - Ohio State University Industrial and Systems Engineering - Bench Drill Press | VintageMachinery.org

Click on Bob P, lower left corner of the top box, then it takes you here:

Member Profile: Bob P | VintageMachinery.org

In the upper right hand box, click on Send Message, and it will bring up a messaging page.

 

[Rstifle]

I know there’s a lot of knowledge out there and I’m in need for some. I attempted to contact vintage machines without any luck. So I’m back asking if anyone has seen a return mechanism like the one I’ve got and how the spring would attach.

 

[Davefr]

I know there’s a lot of knowledge out there and I’m in need for some. I attempted to contact vintage machines without any luck. So I’m back asking if anyone has seen a return mechanism like the one I’ve got and how the spring would attach.

Try posting to owwm.org.

 

[11b30b4]

Rstifle, according to VM all the parts for these machines were manufactured in house, I do not believe you will find a feed return spring that was made for this machine but I do believe you can find one that will work or can be modified to work. You need to know what size spring you need then look at options like these to be modified to work on this machine. For some reason the amazon shar link is not working but go to amazon and search for uxcell Drill Press Spring Drill Press Quill Feed Return Coil Spring Assembly Spring Steel Chemical Blackening Finish 1540mm Expand Long 59x10x1.2mm 2 Pcs

These come in several sizes.

 

[txvwnut]

You may have to get some spring steel and wind your own. I had to do that once for a machine I own. Took some fiddling to get it just right but it can be done with just the most basic of tools.

 

[aquinob]

Who made the press? It doesn't look familiar to me. If it was made in Taiwan or China then OWWM is probably not a good source since they don't deal with anything unless its American or European made. Probably the same with VM since its an offshoot site.

As for finding a spring, you might have to try making your own or searching pictures to find one that is similar that you can adapt. Maybe a few more pics of the overall press and some with a ruler to see sizes would help?

 

[Rstifle]

Ok thanks that kind of what I thought. I do have several springs from previous builds so I’ll check them.

But I’m not sure how the spring is supposed to be set up. I can clearly see a split in the stud protruding from the piece next to the drill head. From there things are fuzzy. The end cap is secured to the shaft with a long pin. It appears to go all the way through! Once the pin is inserted it’s in the wrong orientation to except the other bend in the spring.

I thank you all for your help…….