Need Help on Craftsman Drill Press

[oldtimehockey]

Fellow GJ'ers I need some help...
I just bought an old Craftsman Drill Press Model No. 103.23131. It has the two pulleys up top. How do I move the drive belt between the pulleys to change the speed? Do I have to loosen and slide the motor in and out to release the belt tension and move the belt each time I want to change speeds? Thank you very much.

 

[1Garageman]

Yes, you just move the belt up and down to change the speed on it.
Here is a link to the manual for it.
http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/4779.pdf
Very nice drill press you have!

 

[oldtimehockey]

This is awesome...thank you 1Garageman...
I see the motor mount lock screw...
Is this where I release the belt tension to move the belt up and down?

 

[jakemac]

You should be able to leave just enough slack in the belt to allow you to move the belt on the pulleys one step at a time. If you go from one pulley and move the belt down to a smaller size as you rotate the pulley, you should then have enough slack to move the belt on the other pulley to the next largest size the same way. I've never touched the motor tension to change speeds.

 

[1Garageman]

You are very welcome.
I just got lucky on a google search ;-)

 

[oldtimehockey]

Thank you for taking the time to respond, jakemac...
I'll make sure the tension allows me to move the belt between the pulleys like you've explained.

 

[softailgarage]

I recommend using a link belt as opposed to the traditional automotive style belt. It will eliminate a lot of vibration and give a much smoother drill. It also reduces some of the noise level.
http://www.harborfreight.com/vibration-free-link-belt-43771.html

* The link to Harbor Freight is not an endorsement and is used only for showing the OP a visual of a "link belt". Harbor Freight *****.

 

[dodge610]

Those link belts really work that well. I thought about getting 1 or 2 as back up in case i break belt in the middle of a project late at night. Was a little skeptical of those.

 

[softailgarage]

Those link belts really work that well. I thought about getting 1 or 2 as back up in case i break belt in the middle of a project late at night. Was a little skeptical of those.

I use them on all belt driven Craftsman machines. They're a world of difference on the table saws.

 

[oldtimehockey]

Thank you all for telling me about the link belts...I also have an old Craftsman table saw so I'll get a link belt for that too...Again, thanks to all...

 

[rharman]

Does that DP use the small (3/16"-1/4") belt? I've not seen a small link belt before - only the 1/2" size. I'd like to replace the belt on my floor model C-Man DP with a link belt. Uses the same step pulley system.

To the OP.... I've had my DP for probably 40 years and I have never needed to release tension to change speeds. Just move the end going from larger to smaller first and it's a piece of cake.

 

[oldtimehockey]

rharman...my v-belt measures 7/16 inch across the top of the "v"...thank you for your tip on changing speeds...

 

[Toolfool]

You ****, I've been wanting one of those .

 

[MPOWERD]

I have the same drill press... definitely get the link belt...