What's this thing on my Drill Press for ?

[eystein]

I recently aquired an old Meddings Pacera (English) drill press.

Underneath and inside the main body, there is a toothed sector of about 45degrees, which has (to me) no apparent function.

The sector teeth will engage with the gear on the axle for the lever which lowers the drill bit. However, it is in no way needed for actual operation. Just now it is disengaged and the drill press operates normally.

To me it seems clear that the sector has been there since the machine was new. Outside the main body of the drill press there is a small lever on the same shaft as for the sector. However the sector rotates freely on the shaft, so the lever cannot operate the sector.

The sector is shown in the attached photos.

So, can anybody tell me what the sector is for, how it works, and if I am missing any parts ?

 

[Swingit]

That's just wired...custom application?? I have never seen anything like it. I too am curious...

 

[tatra]

Food pedal operation ?

 

[In The Doghouse]

I believe it simply provides back support to the gear it meshes with. Really only an idler wheel kind of, but should smooth out the operation of moving the spindle up and down.

 

[Packard V8]

difficult to state definitively without seeing it cold. however, if I were to hypothesize, it might be an automatic feed, driven by air or hydraulics. a part is placed in a jig, a lever is pressed activating the feed and the spindle is pulled down, drilling the hole and then retracted.

jack vines

 

[Lightfoot]

Food pedal operation ?

that would be my guess as well.
but i've not seen it before.

 

[Tarnished]

eystene, Not familiar with the Meddings type of press, but your tooth section looks like the gear for lowering the quill on my Delta 600 with foot feed. Can be seen just poking out below the main casting in first pic. Also shows how the F. F. is attached. Any chance yours was foot feed at one time?

 

[Kenwc]

I'm not familiar with that drill press manuf. but it's definately part of either a foot or air actuator for the quill. Most likely foot.

 

[nine4gmc]

I'm going with foot pedal, you scored!