upgrading old drill press?

[danielbuck]

I have my father's old 3 speed bench-top drill press. It's been working ok for me over the passed few years, it still manages to put holes in things It's a "King Power International" model K-6 with a 1/4hp motor. It was originally purchased from Lowes in 1985 (I still have the receipt, haha!). So I imagine it's probably just like any other imported 1/4 hp drill press out there.

I'm doing more metal work now, so I'd like more power, slower speed, maybe a taller mounting post, and I'd also like a better chuck for more accuracy and ease of use. Bolting on a more powerful motor and gear reduction kit from RogueFab will be no problem, as is a longer post, but I don't know anything about chucks. It's always a struggle to get it tight with the key, and it wobbles/walks a little bit. I suppose I should find out if the shaft itself is wobbling as well? It's not a huge amount of wobble. The chuck that is on there is a 1/2" chuck that is either JT-33 or B-16, at least that's what the manual says.


I really like the chuck that's on my (his) newer dewalt 20v hand drill, no tools required, and it's very easy and fast to use.


I know it's a cheap drill press, and it might be more economical to just buy a new one, but I like to tinker, and I like using my father's tools, keeping the making and modifying spirit in the family

So, what are my options as far as upgrading the chuck/spindle/quill?

 

[Mr. Brooks]

If it would me, I would keep that machine the way it is and use for smaller tasks and then search CL for a bigger DP. Probably be cheaper to find a 1/2-3/4 hp 15" floor model than to upgrade the older one.

 

[danielbuck]

Yea, it would probably be cheaper that way, but I don't have a whole lot of space in my garage, so having two drill presses isn't really a route I'd like to go. Even though it would be convenient that way, one setup to go slow, one setup to go fast. And I don't want to get rid of my father's drill.

 

[danielbuck]

Got the 1hp motor bolted on

I think I can hear Tim the tool-man Taylor grunting somewhere

 

[Zeke]

Wow, talk about the tail wagging the dog....

 

[nine4gmc]

 

[danielbuck]

It may be a bit much, if it turns out to be so, then I'll put a 1/2hp motor in there.

Any suggestions for a keyless chuck? are they all pretty much direct replacements?

 

[Outlawmws]

use a treadmill motor...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159224

 

[Todd.Brock]

Albrecht is the name for keyless chucks.

If you decide a keyed works for your application ,Rohm is a German made chuck. Can't go wrong with A Jacobs super chuck- keyed though. Good luck. Todd

 

[danielbuck]

Thanks Todd, I'll look into them, The Albrecht especially Do they install just the same way the factory chuck is installed? (tapered friction fit I assume?) Or do other items need to be changed out as well?

 

[Packard V8]

There are a dozen different chuck tapers. The last small Chicom DP I worked on had something like a JT6. Most USA small DPs used a JT33.

What you are going to find is a new Albrecht/Jacobs/Rohm chuck is going to cost several multiples of what the DP is worth.

jack vines

 

[sasquatch12]

What you really need is a BIGGER drill press,, or,, a SMALLER motor.
Your'e going to end up with a broken drill press with that motor hanging off there.

 

[danielbuck]

Your'e going to end up with a broken drill press with that motor hanging off there.

Are you referring to the mounting brackets, or what parts would you be worried about breaking?

 

[uart]

That looks way over powered Daniel. A much bigger motor is not really what that drill needed, it's the slower speed pulleys that it *really* needs.

If you want a bigger motor I don't think I'd go over 1/3 or at most 1/2 horse. Remember that you get a massive increase in torque anyway, just from the gear reduction. The motor is just an overkill.

 

[uart]

BTW Daniel, just wondering what spindle speeds that the drill currently has? I've got a similar little press and my slowest speed is about 600 RPM. You need slower speed to drill much over about 5/16" to 3/8" in steel, if you don't want to abuse your drill bits.

 

[danielbuck]

Correct, I think it's somewhere around 500-600 RPM. I'm going to try and get it down to at least 200 for general metal drilling, and hopefully get it even slower for larger holes, although I rarely drill holes any larger than 3/4". And for holes that large I've started using stepped drill bits for holes larger than 3/8" or so, that makes pretty light work of decent sized holes even in 1/4" thick steel!

And I take my time, back the bit off and put more cutting oil in there often. The few times that I actually use a hole saw, it would be nice to have a much slower RPM.

If the motor doesn't seem to be working out, I'll put a 1/2hp motor in there.