Jet drill press binding very easily

[aggie113]

So was putting my new X/Y vise to use and drilling some extra 1/2" holes in my vehicle support stands because the stock ones were too far apart...
On the last side of the last hole, the drill head began seizing up when putting the slightest pressure on the bit. I could also just grab it and hold it. The spindle shaft also stopped but the belts did not. At first I increased the RPMs by about 20% but that did nothing, and neither did a fresh bit (didn't think it would..). I do not know enough about drill presses to know where to look or how to fix it. Open to any ideas and resources out there. This drill bit has not seen much use since I bought it used.

 

[GeoBruin]

If the spindle stopped but the belt kept going, you need to increase the belt tension.

 

[aggie113]

Spindle kept going. A few reddit posts had me looking for a set screw on the shaft spindle. Couldn't find one, but did a very loose spindle nut on top


Thankfully, had a set of axle sockets and used a size 32 to get it tight, left hand threaded of course.

 

[larry_g]

Good on finding the loose nut. I hope you loosened the nut and took the top pulley off the spindle to check for any other damage that may be present. You may find a sheared key or something in there and the tightening of the nut will soon fail again. Do you have a model number for the machine and can look up a parts diagram to see what is in there?

lg
no neat sig line