Vintage drill press questions

[Musicinabottle]

So, I pulled the trigger on a vintage little Craftsman bench top drill press and had a few questions. But first my photos.....

 

[Musicinabottle]

So, I was wondering how to get the chuck off. You see the threaded collar hanging there... I believe that threads on just above the chuck, but how to get the chuck off of there. I saw the holes just above the threaded portion and thought perhaps that was to keep the chuck shaft from turning so that the chuck can be turned (spun) off in the opposite direction from drilling? Any advice appreciated!

 

[Musicinabottle]

The drill press seems to not have a spring return. Should it? And if it does, where does it attach? The left side of the press handle has this massive knurled knob that attaches with an Allen screw. What is the function of this? See the small tab sticking out of the shaft near the set screw? Is this perhaps where a spring mechanism attaches? Unsure.

 

[rsanter]

That chuck is fitted on a taper. The threads above the chuck are for a retaining collar that will prevent the chuck from coming off if you get chatter or a little side loading.
The chuck that is on it is not the correct one but will work

You need a pair of wedges to remove that chuck

Bob

 

[crguy]

It looks like someone may have modified that drill to use it as a drum sander. That would explain taking the return spring off and the added spindle lock.

 

[crguy]

The quill lock looks original compared to the photos in the link above.

You're right about that. I recently had a Craftsman/Atlas drill press and was thinking about it.

 

[454ragtop]

Might try the BOYD (Bring Out Your Dead) forum over at OWWM.org for parts. Need to be a member, but it's free, so no big deal.

 

[454ragtop]

I signed up and was informed that my membership would need approved by the guys in the control tower with white lab coats. Nothing as of yet. Give those guys a nudge huh?

Patience grasshopper, they'll come thru.

 

[kentenn]

Their sister site is vintagemachinery.org. Check it out for manuals and other info.

 

[454ragtop]

Frank seems to do that quite a bit for some strange reason.

 

[454ragtop]

Might try registering there again, never heard of anybody being denied membership. They're pretty easy going, other than no talk of Asian tools, and no mentioning of current Ebay or CL listings. If that doesn't work, send me a PM with the user name you're trying to use, and I'll PM the mod over there to see if I can help.

 

[tamperista]

Musicinabottle: Did you get your chuck to come off?? I have a technique that I've used that might come in handy.