Got a Craftsman 100 Drill Press with a bent Vari-Slo

[Cameronl]

I picked up this Cman 100 DP today. It came mounted on a nice period stand with a well-made cabinet built into it, an accessory light, a nice woodworking table, and the "piece-of-resistance" (yeah, I know), a Vari-Slo attachment. Unfortunately, as you can see, the control arm linkage is bent.

Anyone have a suggestion on how to straighten it? I'm afraid of breaking it if I just try to twist it back.

 

[dngrmse]

Nice Pickup! I posted that back on 4/10 in the hot deals section, glad to see a member got it. I imagine some heat may be involved in straightening that out, but I'll leave that up to the experts to answer.

 

[crguy]

If it's aluminum you might be able to straighten it. If it's some sort of pot metal, it's going to be a problem.

 

[CKS1955]

Nice get. If you search on here there are repair methods for the Vari-slo if you happen to break it during the straighten process.

Jay

 

[CalsXS2]

It's aluminum.

Mine was broke and I had my friend tig weld it.

 

[Cameronl]

Here's the Vari-Slo in all it's gory glory.

 

[rsanter]

It looks like the part that is bent is about the easiest part to make a new one of you break it. I would take it apart and grab that in the vise and see if it feels like it wants to bend back without breaking. If it does then go for it.
If it breaks then I would make a new one.
Get a piece of square stock aluminum. Drill and ream two holes in the ends ( at the right distance apart of course) and then press the bushings into the holes. Install the part and you are done

Bob

 

[Cameronl]

The question now is... how do you take this thing apart? I dont' see clips or set screws. Is it just pressed together? I need to take the bent arm off so I can get it repaired.

 

[Cameronl]

The question now is... how do you take this thing apart? I dont' see clips or set screws. Is it just pressed together? I need to take the bent arm off so I can get it repaired.

Any one?

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . . . send a PM to Frank Lee.

He's the GJ guru on Craftsman drill press rebuilds.

Good luck.

 

[Cameronl]

Just a follow up:
Rather than mess with it and probably make it worse, I put it up on eBay as-is. Let somebody who knows what they're doing fix it. I sold it for more than I payed for the whole drill press, which was my plan anyway. So... free drill press and some beer and gas money.