Drill Press Wobble

[Ricktick]

Wondering if somebody can help me figure out what is up with my drill press. I can't seem to get a bit in the chuck without at least a little bit of wobble. When I lay a tool along the outside of the spinning chuck it seems to be smooth (seemingly no no bounce or wobble) and the same with the shaft coming out of the head above the chuck, but whatever is in the chuck seems to have enough wobble that it either kicks the intended stock around a bit before going in or if the stock is secured the hole is out of round.

Could the chuck be goofed up? Is there a trick to getting something centered in the chuck? Its an older tool I got from my dad after he passed and its built like a tank and otherwise is in great shape. Any suggestions?

 

[Outlawmws]

sounds like you may have some swarf or other grunge up inside the chuck causing at least one jaw to be out of kilter. Dismount it and clean it out real good.

 

[junk4dummies]

There can be a host of reasons.
I gather you don't have any machinist dial indicators.
The first thing is to take the chuck off and see if there is any run out on the spindle.
Then as stated take the chuck apart and make sure it is ok. A good Jacobs chuck or German made chuck will make a huge difference. Chinese and other chuck can be real ****.
If it is kicking your work it could be a drill that is not sharppend properly.
If you are drilling large holes in steel it will kick. When drilling steel you need a vice to hold the work and the vice needs to be clamped or bolted down.
Use a center punch and drill your hole. If you are drilling large holes you might need a pilot hole drilled first. When the drill comes to the bottom of the pice it wants to grab and will spin your work causing great bodly harm.
My bet is that it is the way you are drilling your holes. I have had bad chucks. If you were close I would check it out for you. A good chuck can cost more than a cheap used drill press.

Close the jaws on the chuck and see if the line up even when closed. If not you have a problem with the chuck. Chuck can have built in wobble. Good ones don't.

 

[Ricktick]

Thanks guys. I looked it over and closed it up and it seems like the three jaws are about even so maybe the next step is to remove it. My hand drills have a screw inside - I am not at the shop today but if there is a different method/tip for removing the chuck from the spindle I am all ears!

 

[PT Doc]

Likely a press fit. You need to use chuck removal wedges. Or you good try to pry it off but that could be damaging.

 

[Outlawmws]

Show us a pic of the chuck/spindle, but most DP's use either a single end or double ended MT taper. (likely a different size for the spindle than the chuck). if so, if you lower the quill you should see a vertical slot in it rotate the spindle a bit if needed and another slot should show in the spindle, and you should see the tapered part inside the spindle.

a wedge is generally used to break the taper loose. (have a piece of plywood or something under the chuck so it doesn't damage itself in the drop.)

 

[Ricktick]

A picture is a great idea...I will be back out there by the weekend and will post one. I am guessing I could do more damage by not removing the chuck properly so any advice I can get would be welcome. Thanks again guys!