Why do old drill presses only have three mounting holes (dumb question maybe)?

[ching0n]

I understand that 3 points is how you get a coplanar surface but it makes for a wobbly mess on a drill press. I would love to just put stem casters on a floor standing drill press but that's a no-go for 3 mounting holes. Am I missing something? How were old drill presses mounted/rolled?

 

[liliysdad]

My 1940s era Delta DP600 has four retractable casters

 

[tool_scrounge]

Usually bolted to the ground if needed. No sane manufacturer is going to recommend caster wheels unless the base is specifically designed to be wide/long enough to be stable. You might consider using a adapting a commonly available mobile base for a bandsaw.

Last time I made one of these, I used steel tubing instead of wood. In your case you might consider adding a thick plywood deck.

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L

 

[The Cobbler]

you can make a base with 4 wheels & anchor it to the drill press ?
but as above poster mentions, stability is a major concern as drill presses are top heavy .

 

[speed bump]

Drill presses aren't intended to be rolled. They are generally designed to be permanently attached to the floor as they are top heavy unless you get a really heavy duty machine.

 

[ching0n]

well, forget casters for a minute, how 'bout just leveling pads? Maybe the 3 points was precisely to avoid people putting casters on them?

 

[ching0n]

My 1940s era Delta DP600 has four retractable casters

do you have a pic? I have a Delta DP 600 that I'm figuring out

 

[speed bump]

well, forget casters for a minute, how 'bout just leveling pads? Maybe the 3 points was precisely to avoid people putting casters on them?

3 points is easier to level than 4.

 

[The Cobbler]

3 points is easier to level than 4.

and 3 points don't need the surfaces to be level , where 4 points will rock on unlevel surface ... a 3 point will find its plane

 

[FrankLee]

I understand that 3 points is how you get a coplanar surface but it makes for a wobbly mess on a drill press. I would love to just put stem casters on a floor standing drill press but that's a no-go for 3 mounting holes. Am I missing something? How were old drill presses mounted/rolled?

In your Craftsman example, there are actually nine coplanar points on the base; six around the perimeter of the polygon and three around the column bore. Three of those points have mounting holes. Using the three mounting holes on an uneven floor will still secure the press to the floor without rocking, but obviously not all points will contact the floor.

IMO, it's much safer to move a floor-standing drill press on wheels than trying to muscle it around without wheels or moving it with a hand truck.

Quality of the casters, quality of the floor and cleanliness of the floor are important factors. Stabilizers are needed to prevent rolling.

I move my drill press on a mobile base when needed. I only move it parallel to the longer distance between casters, ie, front to back direction.
I use only one bolt to secure the dp base to the platform.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have drill presses dating back to the mid 1800s. If there are any mounting holes, there are 3. Exceptions: One has none and another has 2.

 

[ching0n]

In your Craftsman example, there are actually nine coplanar points on the base; six around the perimeter of the polygon and three around the column bore. Three of those points have mounting holes. Using the three mounting holes on an uneven floor will still secure the press to the floor without rocking, but obviously not all points will contact the floor.


I move my drill press on a mobile base when needed. I only move it parallel to the longer distance between casters, ie, front to back direction.
I use only one bolt to secure the dp base to the platform.

Looks like you've put some thought into it. Is there any reason you'd only use one bolt if as you say, bolting all 3 gives you steadiness?

I have drill presses dating back to the mid 1800. If there are any mounting holes, there are 3. Exceptions: One has none and another has 2.

I think the new chicom ones are 4 bolt. You ever wonder why 3/looked into it?

 

[ching0n]

3 points is easier to level than 4.

yes but if you're elevating a drill press on 3 points say 1/4", it'll tip to one side once you load it asymmetrically.

 

[FrankLee]

Is there any reason you'd only use one bolt if as you say, bolting all 3 gives you steadiness?

I use one bolt because all nine coplanar points are contacting the plywood base.

Using three bolts on an uneven floor would prevent rocking, but only three(?) points could be touching the floor, and not necessarily the three with the bolts. In fact, if the bolts were tightened too much, it could crack the base.

 

[liliysdad]

do you have a pic? I have a Delta DP 600 that I'm figuring out

Damn… maybe you’re right. I was convinced there were four. I’ll check this evening.

I’ve reached a point where not only do I forget things, but I recall things that never happened.

 

[Beerhippie]

What's wrong with how it's shown in your picture?

Looks like the answer right there.

 

[speed bump]

yes but if you're elevating a drill press on 3 points say 1/4", it'll tip to one side once you load it asymmetrically.

Give it a shot. It's a lot harder than you think it is. There's a reason a tripod is a lot more common than a quadrapod.

Also why are you elevating all three points?

 

[ching0n]

Give it a shot. It's a lot harder than you think it is. There's a reason a tripod is a lot more common than a quadrapod.

Also why are you elevating all three points?

a tripod or an anvil has a center mass down the center. The elevation would happen due to the offset of putting any type of feet in those holes. Here's a picture of Frank Lee trying it (not recommended per his words):

 

[ching0n]

What's wrong with how it's shown in your picture?

Looks like the answer right there.

the extra work & aesthetics to a degree. Here's a ridgid using the stock holes for comparison:

 

[FrankLee]

Here's a picture of Frank Lee trying it (not recommended per his words):

Correction…
Those were WTF photos I saved from a for-sale ad. I never tried that, never would, and still think it's a terrible idea..