Drill Press for BIY projects

[bigtiller]

I like the floor models. It gives me room to use a 4 way cross sliding vise that I have bolted to the table The jaws open up 6 inches, which is enough room to clamp most of my work. If I need a larger table, I have a 4x4 bolted to the bottom of a piece of plywood that I clamp in the vise.

 

[mopacman]

maybe a 3 or 4 speed trans out of a riding lawn mower would work....Larry

 

[RedDirt]

maybe a 3 or 4 speed trans out of a riding lawn mower would work....Larry

I'd never thought of a transmission. That would be neat. But isn't a riding lawn mower transmission a rather larger (too large) unit for a drill press? (mine is hydrostat so I'm not familiar with what might be on a gear drive)

Now you've got me thinking. Maybe a small motorcycle transmission.

 

[schmism]

geeeeesssssss you guys make everything so difficult.

3/4 hp variable speed DC motor. has as much torque at 2 rpm as it does at 1750 rpm. turn the dial to select your speed.... motor bolts on the back and your done!

 

[mjncad]

geeeeesssssss you guys make everything so difficult.

3/4 hp variable speed DC motor. has as much torque at 2 rpm as it does at 1750 rpm. turn the dial to select your speed.... motor bolts on the back and your done!

I like this idea Schmism...any suggestions on where to get such a motor, and any of the other doodads (e.g. transformers, etc) to make it work?

 

[patrick_g]

any suggestions on where to get such a motor, and any of the other doodads (e.g. transformers, etc) to make it work?

If you get a 120 VDC motor a bridge rectifier will power it from 120VAC (at full speed.)

Although a variable transformer like a Variac upstream of the rectification will work, the transformer has to be able to handle the power and will be very large and expensive (and subject to being fried when asked to run the motor very slowly.)

A solid state control is a good solution. It varies the duty cycle of the applied power. An AC controller feeding a full wave bridge rectifier to supply DC to the motor is a good solution. These controllers work like a heavy duty solid state light dimmer to provide approximately 0-100% of available power. The Full Wave Bridge rectifier converts the AC to uni-directional (DC) pulses. The motor integrates the pulsating DC and may make "funny noises" at some settings but will work fine on DC pulses. You don't need smooth DC to run a motor.

You don't need a transformer.

Pat

 

[bjr]

I have the 16 speed 1 Hp Harbor Freight model and have to drill 3/4" thick steel 1-1/4" holes at times. I think there are 1150 RPM AC motors available I just don't know where to get them. I want slower speeds as well. would l like to do a 1 Hp VF drive. But probably have to have matching motor to go with the drive. I do a lot of Cat 1 implement rebuilding and make up my own designs. bjr

 

[dfkrug]

I have the 16 speed 1 Hp Harbor Freight model and have to drill 3/4" thick steel 1-1/4" holes at times. I think there are 1150 RPM AC motors available I just don't know where to get them. I want slower speeds as well. would l like to do a 1 Hp VF drive. But probably have to have matching motor to go with the drive. I do a lot of Cat 1 implement rebuilding and make up my own designs. bjr

I upgraded last year from my old 16.5" swing Delta press to HF's biggest,
their 20" swing 325# unit. It has the large square wet table and a lowest
speed of 180RPM. Since I do mostly metal work and some large holes, I
keep it at the lowest speed, but even lower would be nice. I also use taper
drill bits now (MT3) and what an improvement for the larger holes! I would
ideally like about 80-100 RPM for 1" holes in 1/2" plate.

You can get lower speed AC motors for free out of clothes washers. I
have one with 1750RPM and a lower RPM (1150?). I plan to replace the
HF motor, but have not gotten to it. I found my motor in a CraigsList
listing for a free DOA washer. You do not need much power for these lower
speed settings. Spring means many dead washers will be available.

 

[mopacman]

some of the older mowers have trans that is about 8" square and about 5" thick. They have a belt drive input and a chain drive out to the rear end. You can get a 3/4 horse dc motor off of a tred mill that is set out for a trash man thats never ben used.......Larry

 

[mjncad]

Patrick G:

Thanks for the motor info.