*new to me* bench drill press. Help me learn about it?

[NC Rick]

I used to deal with some really big rollers in the printing industry 12" diameter x by 8-9ft wide. I have seen that stuff to wonders. I can be a little obsessive and since it is so nice, I do want to put it back to outstanding condition as a user which people after me will want. Since I am shooting for good accuracy and it will run at 5000 rpm, I'd like to get the press fit correct and make it where it can be worked on by someone 80 years down the line. This is going to cost me another $80. In for a dime...

now that I scored a NOS correct chuck and checked run out on my lathe, I'm kinda pumped. For those reasons, I may not be entirely rational about this.

 

[Ken from ontario]

I admire your commitment and your passion.
This drill press is in such pristine condition, it deserves a top notch restoration.

 

[NC Rick]

While I am not doing anything like a "top notch" restoration, I'm playing with new things. The photo is of a shop built replacement handle that includes a ball end made by a guy with no "ball turning" equipment using a technique I watched Marc do on "That Lazy Machinist" where I used a dial indicator to copy a radius. I also did my first home-made nickel plating that isn't as even as I would like but is very thick and hard. I feel good about putting this on the machine.

 

[Choiliefan]

Will you be using the nickel plate to build-up the spindle diameter for the new bearings?

 

[NC Rick]

Will you be using the nickel plate to build-up the spindle diameter for the new bearings?

I had that thought. I have no experience with doing that. I may try a test piece to see how hard it is to get 2-3 thou. No mater though as I had sent the spindle out to a specialist who will O.D. grind it, hard chrome build it by 4-5 thou and then grind it to spec for the 0.0002” fit I want. I’m feeling bad I didn’t prime sand and spray the paint. Brush painting isn’t great. Lots less work than spraying and I’m spending the effort on function.

 

[NC Rick]

Who is doing the hard chroming and finishing to size?

I'm sorry, I missed your post and question. I sent the spindle out to C&R plating in Gastonia, North Carolina. Upon speaking with them, one of the owners shares a common friend with me. He was also a motorcycle guy which is cool. I expected the job to be less expensive but they are using another specialized company located near them to do the accurate grinding. I specified a 0.0002" tolerance. They are reasonably close to us but about an hour and a half drive from here. I shipped the spindle there.

 

[NC Rick]

My project of the resurrection of the Walker Turner 13" Drill Press was on hold while C&R Hard Chrome Service in Gastonia, NC did their magic on the spindle. Today I got the spindle back! I'm excited, C&R did a perfect job, just beautiful!

I was able to press the new bearings into the spindle. I have never had a drill press spindle apart before this and hadn't thought too much about the thrust management. When I look at this one, I feel like I'm missing something. No high tech here...

I'm seeing a thou and a half T.I.R. the mid-point of the JT33. The taper was pretty beat up and I cleaned it up the best I could. It has been media blasted and I will polish it us before mounting the chuck. Some of Sunday is likely to be devoted to my putzing with the press.

 

[NC Rick]

Well, my "new" 1930something drill press is ready to go to work. Thank you all for the help and comments. I'm all done and very happy with the little press. It will sit next to my 16" Delta and save a lot of speed changes. I indicated a drill blank and saw just over a half thou +/- in the chuck so that's as good as it gets I think!

 

[NC Rick]

I apologize for the sideways pitchers. I dono how to fix 'em.

 

[Eddyde]

Wow! Awesome job, probably better than original spec.