Drill Press Table Support part

[coreseller]

Hi Guys, I've been a lurker for awhile and have an issue I wanted to ask for advice on. I have an older DuraCraft Drill Press that has sentimental value that is in need of repair. Over the weekend I was using it to bevel some steel holes and the table support cracked on the rear part of the collar. I spoke to some friends who run a machine shop who offered to braze it but I fear it won't hold due to the location of the cracks. I believe DuraCraft is long out of business and have had no luck in finding any parts list or diagrams for it. I found a place online that sells a similar support for a Rigid DP1550 Drill Press but am unsure if it would work / fit. My question: Does anyone know if these table supports are all the same for the Chinese Import Drill Presses? Mine has a 2 3/4" rear collar / shaft. Here is a link to the part I am talking about:

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/support-table-windicator-p-156874.html

Here are a couple of pics of the broken part on mine:

I know, I know, just go out and buy another drill press, preferably one worth a dang.....like I said this one has emotional value and frankly works for most everything (until recently lol) I need to do. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks.......Mark.

 

[andywander]

I'd let my friends braze it if I were you.Braze is stronger than cast iron. What have you got to lose?

 

[Outlawmws]

"Duracraft" was just one of dozens of trade names for the same basic DP, and I'd bet money some the current table lifts would work with your DP (I had a Durafcraft for over 30 years until recently.)

That said, watch CL for a used rusty beater that has a table lift on the same diameter column for cheap, and use it as a parts machine.

 

[spongerich]

If the part is pre-heated, properly brazed and slowly cooled, it'll break somewhere else before the brazed joint fails.

 

[Packard V8]

I have an older DuraCraft Drill Press that has sentimental value . . . I know, I know, just go out and buy another drill press, preferably one worth a dang.....like I said this one has emotional value and frankly works for most everything (until recently lol) I need to do. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks.......Mark.

We understand some decisions aren't rational. Fix it if you must, but suggest beginning the search for an older USA DP because something else will break somewhere soon on that DuraCraft. A friend of mine has one of the clones and literally every part of it is broken, loose, worn; in some failure mode. I'd bet if I asked the three local small scrap yards to watch for them coming through, the phone would ring often. Check craigslist and the scrap yards for parts machines. You'll need lots of them.

jack vines

 

[coreseller]

Thanks Guys. I think I'll go ahead and let my friends give brazing it a shot. You're also right on the emotional aspect, but I simply don't use it enough to warrant a decent replacement. In perusing CL and stopping by a Harbor Freight store it was quite an eye opener, people on CL asking $250 for what can be had at HF new for about the same money, neither frankly nicer than what I have except for the broken part lol. The $150 or less units on CL were broken, rusty or both. Probably stumble into something nice if I bide my time, Thanks again.......Mark.

 

[Skyline]

Thanks Guys. I think I'll go ahead and let my friends give brazing it a shot. You're also right on the emotional aspect, but I simply don't use it enough to warrant a decent replacement. In perusing CL and stopping by a Harbor Freight store it was quite an eye opener, people on CL asking $250 for what can be had at HF new for about the same money, neither frankly nicer than what I have except for the broken part lol. The $150 or less units on CL were broken, rusty or both. Probably stumble into something nice if I bide my time, Thanks again.......Mark.

Expand your CL search to include 3 or 4 states, and be patient. You WILL find some awesome old American iron out there. I spent $150 and a two hour drive to get mine; and it's a 50+ year old Walker Turner. It took me a few months of looking to find just the one I wanted. It will outlive me by a long shot.

 

[rsanter]

What matters the most is the column diameter
Look for a junker DP with the same diameter and you can always take the bracket and the table if that ones is a little different
For now, weld it up
You could also make a new part from machined billet or from a welded up and machined part. Either would be way stronger

Bob

 

[evintho]

I got a floor model Vulcan off of CL for free. Has the exact same problem as yours!

A member here directed me to the Grizzly website. Looks to be the same piece at half the price of the Rigid. A quick call to Grizzly should verify that!
http://www.grizzly.com/products/g7944/parts

 

[coreseller]

EVINTHO.....You're the Man!!

 

[Packard V8]

Expand your CL search to include 3 or 4 states, and be patient. You WILL find some awesome old American iron out there.

Be patient and it will come. I've got to start selling some DPs because eight is enough. I seem to stumble over a good one every three months. The latest are a Craftsman 150 for $75 and a Delta 14" slow speed for $100.

jack vines