South Bend Drill Press Quill Return Spring
- Thread starter jransom
- Start date
bmw57isetta
Well-known member
Without a pic to go on I'd suggest you check out EBay and/or do a Google search on "quill return spring". If it's the coiled up type, they're plentiful and inexpensive.
Yes, it is the typical coiled up kind in the small disc shaped housing. Do you know if they are a semi universal type thing?, i.e. a Delta or Rockwell spring may fit and work? I think south Bend specific parts are harder to find.
Thanks! -John
Thanks! -John
bmw57isetta
Well-known member
Yes, they are fairly universal but you must specify the correct diameter of the spring. Keep in mind these were outsourced by a number of manufacturers to spring suppliers instead of being brand specific parts in many cases.
Here's what an late '40's/early '50's Duro spring pack looks like from the inside of the pack and one of it mounted after a clean-and-shine job on the press I'm restoring.
FrankLee's suggestion about searching on "clock spring" is a good one too.
Here's what an late '40's/early '50's Duro spring pack looks like from the inside of the pack and one of it mounted after a clean-and-shine job on the press I'm restoring.
FrankLee's suggestion about searching on "clock spring" is a good one too.
bmw57isetta
Well-known member
Nice! I'd love to see pictures of the entire thing!! That color is great.
Thanks for the info. I talked to a guy at a spring place online that I found through the Practical Machinist website. Sounds like if they don't have one they will be able make one. If I can learn a little more, as far as what to measure and such and where to look, I may buy a used one somewhere online.
I just picked this thing up yesterday and it's all original. Aside from a few bad paint jobs it's all there and seems to function really smoothly. The light inside works and the factory motor is super quiet. All the steel parts are shining up great on my bench grinders' wire wheel. It also has a 3rd pulley as well but it's not a SB one I don't think. I need to take a picture and post it here to see if anyone recognizes it. It has a little trap door in the top center of its' spindle that you flip up to oil apparently. Maybe it's a Craftsman apparatus, not sure yet.
Man, I really appreciate these old machines. The design, the simplicity and the "sturdiness" are a thing of beauty. Art work really. Anyways, enough rambling. I appreciate all the answers guys. It's really helped me understand a little more. Hope I can get a spring within the next few weeks... -John
Thanks for the info. I talked to a guy at a spring place online that I found through the Practical Machinist website. Sounds like if they don't have one they will be able make one. If I can learn a little more, as far as what to measure and such and where to look, I may buy a used one somewhere online.
I just picked this thing up yesterday and it's all original. Aside from a few bad paint jobs it's all there and seems to function really smoothly. The light inside works and the factory motor is super quiet. All the steel parts are shining up great on my bench grinders' wire wheel. It also has a 3rd pulley as well but it's not a SB one I don't think. I need to take a picture and post it here to see if anyone recognizes it. It has a little trap door in the top center of its' spindle that you flip up to oil apparently. Maybe it's a Craftsman apparatus, not sure yet.
Man, I really appreciate these old machines. The design, the simplicity and the "sturdiness" are a thing of beauty. Art work really. Anyways, enough rambling. I appreciate all the answers guys. It's really helped me understand a little more. Hope I can get a spring within the next few weeks... -John
OldeTimeEtc
Well-known member
Springs or "Mainsprings" of almost any size can be had thru clock supply houses. All you need to do is measure the "strength" (thickness in 1000ths of an inch) , "width" (in inches) and "length" (in inches). Two places I normally order mainsprings from are
Ronell Clock Company in Oregon - http://www.ronellclock.com/
Ask for Roland Tapp....tell him Dennis sent you. You can also order a catalog from both these guys
Timesavers in Arizona - http://timesavers.com/
Being a clockmaker/watchmaker I have refitted mainsprings into all size barrels for several decades and I have seen this issue mentioned many times on this and other forums before. I will start a "how to" thread on refiting a spring into a machine barrel such as the drill press mentioned if someone will send me one that needs a new spring. In the meantime if anyone has questions you can always ask here or PM me.
Ronell Clock Company in Oregon - http://www.ronellclock.com/
Ask for Roland Tapp....tell him Dennis sent you. You can also order a catalog from both these guys
Timesavers in Arizona - http://timesavers.com/
Being a clockmaker/watchmaker I have refitted mainsprings into all size barrels for several decades and I have seen this issue mentioned many times on this and other forums before. I will start a "how to" thread on refiting a spring into a machine barrel such as the drill press mentioned if someone will send me one that needs a new spring. In the meantime if anyone has questions you can always ask here or PM me.
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OldeTimeEtc
Well-known member
John......best you just send me the parts plus the old original spring. I can order the spring myself instead of you running around looking for the right one. (you can pay for the spring) .....its just alot quicker that way. PM me and we'll talk on the phone plus I'll send you an address to ship to.
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Kellyblues
Well-known member
I sent you a PM with and email contact that may have what your looking for.
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Ted Pfluger, aka South Bend Latheman (SBLatheman) on PracticalMachinist.com purchased the South Bend, IN SBL stock, amongst other things he purchased when SBL factory closed and went out of business (before it became a Grizzley brand). He's a terrific guy to talk to and deal with. I know I've seen plenty of drill press parts at his place in South Bend.. I've purchased numerous items from him for my lathe, drill press, vertical mill, grinder, shaper..etc. Contact him via email to discuss your needs.. He provided me the official SBL procedure to change the spindle spring on my SBL vertical mill quill...
Latheman2@aol. com
Latheman2@aol. com
bmw57isetta
Well-known member
Thanks jransom! Looks like you're getting plenty of help on this one. Since you made mention of the color, it's Rustoleum Satin Moss Green, # 249071. I wanted a sort of retro look and haven't gotten tired of looking at it yet.
I've been dragging my keister getting this project wrapped up but should have it all refurb'ed and back together by the end of the month. I've taken a bunch of pix and plan on posting a thread on this forum when the time comes.
For what its' worth, that pic doesn't do justice to the spring cover. I hit it with a buffer and some tripoli and it shines like a new nickel.
Good luck getting your DP back into action
Cool, can't wait to see it! Will you be posting it in this "Vintage Tool" forum? Just want to make sure I watch for it.
Yeah, I'm getting a lot of assistance thankfully. This forum is a wealth of info and help. I found a NOS spring for $50. Think it's worth it? Need to contact some of these clock shops and see how much theirs are.
Yeah, I'm getting a lot of assistance thankfully. This forum is a wealth of info and help. I found a NOS spring for $50. Think it's worth it? Need to contact some of these clock shops and see how much theirs are.