New (To Me) Drill Press

[JB4310]

Went out to the shop to see if there was a number on the chuck key but there isn't. Measured the nipple part of the key, that goes in the chuck, it's 5/16" dia. and there are 12 teeth on the key. don't know if that will help.

The chuck says "Select" JT-3# 5/8 cap- 18mm.

An old timer taught me a trick for tightening a chuck, tighten from all three holes, progressively tighter from the first to the third.
Don't know if that's any secret or common knowledge.

Mine still has the orig price tag on it, $149. in 1981. I bought it used for the same amount around 1993.

The speed on mine goes from 460 rpm up to 2400 rpm

JB

 

[toxicjeeper]

I have a 12 speed Delta as well and speed is 460 on its lowest setting and 2400rpm on highest..I wouldnt even want to drill wood at that speed...

I also agree with taking the chuck in..I have 3 chuck keys that are "close" and none fit perfectly...

If you want to get to the 200 rpm and use that puppy as a mini-mill you can always add a jack shaft..Lots of beef in those old presses to add anything you want...

 

[deereman75]

This is basicaly the drill press I have. Except the one we have was turned into a bench top one. It is also more of a dark gray, and the handle is a bit differnt. This is close enough though. I will try to get a picture of mine.

My dad bought it about 25 years ago at a tool dealer in vermont, it was bought new in 1944 by the darthmouth collage physics dept machine shop. This thing still has less runout then a new powermatic. It works great for metal work. It drills a 1/2 inch hole in 1/4 plate like it was wood. The one in the picture is a 1942.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

WOW, Thanks for all the good info. I was excited about this drill press when I got it, but now I'm even more excited.

The chuck IS a Jacobs ball bearing Super Chuck. I really don't know what that means, but I trust flatheadford that it's a good thing. The numbers on the chuck are Jacobs 16N 3 UT, 1/8 - 5/8 CAP. The spindle does have the slot in it. The spec plate on the front of the press calls out the spindle as MT#2. I assume that means Morse Taper #2. Once again, I don't know what that means, but I'm excited to find out. I did a little more looking and found that a Jacobs K4 key fits the 16N chuck (and others). I'll see if I can find a K4 key locally. If not, I'll try and get the chuck out and take it in to get the right key. I don't even know where to take it around here. I'm guessing Ace Hardware is NOT the place. I may have to ask the guy at the machine shop where I've had a few things done.

Craig Clayton's suggestion that I can drill 1" steel is nice. I'll have to look into morse tapered drills and see what you're talking about. I guess that means I need to add a tapered drift to my wish list.

Thanks to all who posted brand names of your similar machines. I may need to cross reference one of those machines to get parts. I'm pretty sure I'll need a recoil spring. I'm guessing that Baby Grand's Black & Decker will be the easiest to find. Baby Grand, what is the model number of your drill press?

My slow speed is 250 RPM. I'll work with that for a while and see if I want it any slower. I know that there are router speed controllers available to slow the speed down even more. The chart on the lid of the drill press specifies speeds for both 60 Hz and 50 Hz. The 50 Hz. speeds are, of course, slower. I didn't even look to see the high speed for this drill press. I'd guess it's in the 3K RPM range. I may use the higher speeds for a sanding drum, etc.

As for the cleaning and oiling, Everything on this drill press is stiff. The table adjustment, the spindle, the belt tensioner. The motor is a little loud, too. I may pull it and see if it has an oil hole. I'm hoping that with a little cleaning and oiling and exercising of the moving parts, I can get this ugly old beast moving gracefully and smooth.

I think that I've opened a whole new world of possibilities in my shop with the purchase of this drill press. Thanks to all for the input and suggestions.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Guess what!!!

A guy I work with just stopped in to drop some stuff off. I bragged my new drill press up to him and he said he had a whole box of drill bits that take a morse taper. He can't use them. He's going to check if he still has them and if he does they're mine.

Sometimes things do work out well.

I feel like some silly schoolgirl for how excited I am about this new tool.

 

[Short Game]

About 8 years ago I bought my 8 speed Craftsman from the Nickel Ads and wish I hadn't. I should have gotten something like you did. I paid $75 and got one from a commercial machine shop that had been ridden hard and put away wet. I should be thinking about replacing it rather than improving it. The machine was of an original quality that should never have gotten it into such a shop. It has lots of holes drilled through into the table. The table moves by gravity, not a rack gear. It was used by people who didn't like it, obviously.

Sorry about the gripe, but seeing what others have stings. :mur:

 

[Renze]

Guess what!!!

A guy I work with just stopped in to drop some stuff off. I bragged my new drill press up to him and he said he had a whole box of drill bits that take a morse taper. He can't use them. He's going to check if he still has them and if he does they're mine.

Sometimes things do work out well.

I feel like some silly schoolgirl for how excited I am about this new tool.

Morse taper drills is the best since sliced bread... No more slipping drill shafts, or welding notches to them to prevent slipping...

Oh, and dont apologise for feeling like a kid on christmas eve when you get new (or old) toys... you've come to the right place

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Oh, and dont apologise for feeling like a kid on christmas eve when you get new (or old) toys... you've come to the right place

I'm glad to know I'm in good company.

 

[flatheadford]

Anybody price a Jacobs 16N lately.

Amazon.com: JACOBS MANUFACTURING CO Ball Bearing Geared Key Super Chucks - Capacity: 1/8" - 5/8": Industrial & Scientific

Here's the key you need.

http://www.amazon.com/Jacobs-3655-H...CZ5O/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1321919175&sr=8-7

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Anybody price a Jacobs 16N lately.

Amazon.com: JACOBS MANUFACTURING CO Ball Bearing Geared Key Super Chucks - Capacity: 1/8" - 5/8": Industrial & Scientific

Here's the key you need.

Amazon.com: Jacobs 3655 K4 Thumb Handle Chuck Key with 3/8-Inch Pilot-Size for Jacobs Series 36 ,16N, 18N Keyed Chucks: Supersax: Home Improvement

Yeah, I think the chuck is a keeper assuming it still works.

I got the K4 key from a machine tool supplier this afternoon. It's tight, but it will work.