powermatic 1150 upgrades

[thieltech]

anyone ever add addtional support to there drill press in an attempt to stop the flexing of the main colum ?

ive added this 1/4" thick 1 1/2" sqaure and its still all over the place .


im not for sure but i believe this is a wood working drill press .


im using it for metal work and that maybe asking to much

 

[Mr. Brooks]

looks very very nice sir! welcome to GJ

 

[WWIIjeep]

im using it for metal work and that maybe asking to much

What are you drilling, and what size holes?

Powermatic rated the 1150 for a 1/2" hole in cast iron. That equates to about 3/8" in steel. If you're drilling larger holes than that, you're exceeding the original manufacturer's specifications, but really, those Powermatics are pretty beefy and a lot of people abuse them a lot more than that without flexing the column.

Next question I'd ask is, do you have the original column?

The OEM 1150 column is 1/4" wall 3" OD. That's larger and stronger than most other name-brand 15" drill presses.

Here's a link to a Powermatic 1150 owner's manual of about the same vintage as your 1150, showing the specifications, capacity rating and other information:

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=4366

 

[mikehaugen]

It's hard to tell from your picture, but it appears your reinforcement is only connected at the ends. If so, it is doing very little to stiffen the column. You really need at least one center connection, but then it will interfere with the table movement. I really don't know why you need to stiffen it though, is it flexing when you are pushing down? If that is the case, you need sharper bits. Any bit, regardless of size should not take that much down force if sharpened correctly. If it is flexing from the torque, then your method of reinforcing is not optimal.

 

[zkling]

What are you drilling, and what size holes?

Powermatic rated the 1150 for a 1/2" hole in cast iron. That equates to about 3/8" in steel. If you're drilling larger holes than that, you're exceeding the original manufacturer's specifications, but really, those Powermatics are pretty beefy and a lot of people abuse them a lot more than that without flexing the column.

Next question I'd ask is, do you have the original column?

The OEM 1150 column is 1/4" wall 3" OD. That's larger and stronger than most other name-brand 15" drill presses.

Here's a link to a Powermatic 1150 owner's manual of about the same vintage as your 1150, showing the specifications, capacity rating and other information:

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=4366

What the hell are you doing to cause the main column to flex? Are you sure the base plate to column connection is tight?

 

[Zrexxer]

Yeah, if you're having to apply so much pressure on a drill bit that you're flexing that column, you're doing something WAY wrong.

 

[thieltech]

when i go to tighten the chuck quickly with my hand the whole press shakes or vibrates and you have to wait 15 to 20 seconds for it to stop shaking.
or even if i just bump the table with the part im drilling .

hard to explain .

maybe im just being to picky

 

[mikehaugen]

Sounds more like a bearing issue to me.

 

[nine4gmc]

Is the whole thing rocking on an uneven surface? Maybe shim under the base.

 

[PBCampbell]

I think you misdiagnosed your problem but nice Drill Press and nice job with the support post nonetheless.

 

[buening]

Double check that your 1/2" bolt/setscrew is tight on the base, which tightens the column into the base. My guess is that is loose and the column is wobbling in the base (or you are mistaking the base rocking on unlevel concrete, which mine does and needed shims). I agree it should not be flexing assuming the column is tight in the base. I have a Rockwell 15" drill press that is much less bulky and its a tank. I've ran upwards of 1 1/4" S&D drill bits in it through 3/4" plate and never had any column flexing, granted the table was relatively close to the head.

Otherwise, the way to make your stiffening to work would be to use bolts in the bottom plate closer to the column so that the single row of bolts don't rotate about that point. Without having a side shot its hard to see how its working though.

 

[tarbellb]

Have you checked the table for any cracks, loose bolts, etc....?

That or what other have said about the column not being secured?

Good luck, excellent looking machine there.

 

[thieltech]

im goin to give it a good once over and see if i over looked anything

 

[woody 73]

I find it strange that it should flex powermatics are built like a tank.

 

[nine4gmc]

Also make sure that the head is all the way on the pole. If the pole is not protruding from the top, the head may not be on all the way and allow movement.

 

[thieltech]

wow i feel like a idiot lol

i check the base as suggested and sure enough the center colum was to far out of the bottom base .

basically it was rocking . even with the base bolted down.

thanks for the help everyone .

i seem to over look the simple stuff every now and then !

 

[thieltech]

also has anyone seen a foot pedal that has a forward -stop - reverse switch in a single pedal config?

right now i use the foot pedal i have hooked up for tapping , (its just a normal open /close switch for starting and stopping spindle )

 

[cbacres]

Nice press, I have the same one. What kind of VFD are you using?
I regret taking my 3 phase motor off. I'll find another and set up with a VFD.
I just drilled 1-1/8" through a 1" plate, was very pleased on how well it did.

 

[thieltech]

hacked up a Hitachi X200 1HP to fit in a tiny box ,with RJ45 cable to front mount remote panel

 

[thieltech]

home made panel etc

 

[nine4gmc]

That's an awesome machine!

 

[thieltech]

Thanks sir