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Drill Press Upgrade

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by RATTYFLATTY, Sep 7, 2017.

  1. Sep 7, 2017
    RATTYFLATTY

    RATTYFLATTY I think you need a little more throttle

    Central MN
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    The motor gave up the ghost and I always wanted a variable speed one but they are not cheap. So I pick up a treadmill off the local free adds and there you have it. I used the motor, wiring and switches. It has a no high speed start safety circuit to boot.
     
    Bowbender likes this.
  2. Sep 7, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Pictures or it didn't happen. ;)
     
  3. Sep 7, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    I picked up a treadmill about 7 or 8 years ago with the intentention of using the motor on my lathe- been sitting in the basement ever since.:oops:
     
  4. Sep 7, 2017
    RATTYFLATTY

    RATTYFLATTY I think you need a little more throttle

    Central MN
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    IMG_20170129_103751.jpg
    Only photo I got on my phone.
     
    Bowbender, timgr and Focker like this.
  5. Sep 7, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    That's an awesome idea. (y) My motor died years ago over a weekend with a Monday deadline on a job. I had to pay $40 for a POS benchtop HF drill press that I swapped the motor onto mine, and I still swear at it daily.

    Off to search CL....
     
  6. Sep 7, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Use everything from the treadmill that you can... :coffee:(y)
     
  7. Sep 7, 2017
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    alright guys, I did this.

    I gave the whole lathe assembly to Wheelie, but what I did was get a free treadmill and made it variable speed. The lathe is a small sears unit that are everywhere. It had jack shaft and pullies to change speed. I took the DC motor, built a stand for it and used the controller to change speed. The controller read in MPH, but it could have been calibrated for inches per minute or whatever you wanted. It worked pretty well for a worn out old lathe. Went from zero to way too fast.

    This particular treadmill also had an electric driven gear reduction worm drive motor for elevation. I used that to make the drill press table go up and down with a lead screw I had kicking around.

    My present drill press is a delta unit with a reeves style pulley set to make it variable speed. They tried to copy the clausing ones, but its not nearly as good. My Clausing Lathe has that style pulley set to make it variable speed and it works well. If it fails, I will just install a controller with variable speed and motor braking for the 3 phase motor.
     
  8. Sep 7, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Still have it Chris. Regrettably, I have not set it up yet. Keep thinking I'll be moving soon. Can't wait to play and learn. It's in storage right now.

    Ratty......it looks like we have similar drill presses. Mine is also an old Craftsman, bench top model. Probably from the 50's or 60's. I always wished it would turn slower. This is a great mod. Not sure if it's worth doing to an old worn out unit though.
     
    47v6 likes this.
  9. Sep 9, 2017
    RATTYFLATTY

    RATTYFLATTY I think you need a little more throttle

    Central MN
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    This is a floor mount model(Craftsman 150) and with the free motor/variable speed upgrade, mine was a no brainer. I did use all the wiring along with the circuit board for the mod.
     
  10. Sep 15, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    This has been hanging out in the "free" section of CL for a week, and I finally had the time to go pick it up today. I can't believe it was still available. It works fine for my application. (The guy said it quits if you run at full speed for over 10 minutes.)

    [​IMG]

    I uncovered the guts... 7099rpm, 17.2 amp, 2.5hp DC motor with soft-start. Sweet!

    [​IMG]

    Thanks for the tip!! I'm excited to swap it into my drill press.
     
  11. Sep 18, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    I didn't know if I should continue to hijack this thread or start my own, so mods, do your thing and separate this post into its own thread if you want.

    I finished the swap this evening. The treadmill motor has a massive flywheel on it, so to use the original motor mount tabs, I had to offset the motor to the side and do some hack-work to the cover. I wired the main power through the original drill press switch, and mounted the speed control next to it. The circuit boards and transformer are mounted to the right side and rear.

    It slows to a crawl and it's governed, so regardless of load, it keeps the same rpm. I'm loving this! Thanks again for the idea, RATTYFLATTY!

    [​IMG]

    I'll eventually make a cover for the circuit boards.
    [​IMG]

    I won't embarrass myself by admitting how I got the pulley to fit the shaft on the motor. It works, it's straight, and I'll leave it at that. (y)
    [​IMG]
     
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  12. Sep 18, 2017
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Now that's not fair. Someone else may have the same issues and want to copy. :)
     
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  13. Sep 18, 2017
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    JB weld?
     
  14. Sep 18, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Fine. I'll expose my redneck ways.

    I drilled the old pulley (with my cordless drill, since my press was out of commission) out to 1" (biggest bit I have), then I clamped the motor to my bench, turned it on, and hit the ribbed pulley with the grinder as a makeshift lathe. I turned it down to a press fit and hammered it on. If it ever loosens or spins, I'll tack weld it to the shaft inside the bore.

    Junk machinery deserves nothing more than junk upgrades. :D
     
    Danefraz likes this.
  15. Sep 18, 2017
    RATTYFLATTY

    RATTYFLATTY I think you need a little more throttle

    Central MN
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    I got no problem, just glad to help out. I have to say yours turned out a lot cleaner than mine.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 18, 2017
  16. Sep 18, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Cool. I'd put an inverted Tupperware container or such over those exposed connections. One day your going to reach for the handle and stick your finger in there.
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  17. Sep 18, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Fixt that for you, Tim. :rofl:
     
  18. Sep 18, 2017
    Admiral Cray

    Admiral Cray I want to do this again.. Staff Member

    Bainbridge...
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    ITLKSEZ just think of the calories you'll burn when you use your drill press... :rofl::rofl::rofl:
     
  19. Sep 18, 2017
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Sounds fine to me. I would do similar, except i would try and put a set screw or 2 on that pile with a flat on the shaft. Never have a problem. welding it if you do will solve that as well.

    Right want to cover the electronics against a chip flying in there and killing it.

    Looks awesome!
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  20. Sep 20, 2017
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chico CA
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    Best use of a hamster wheel ever.
     
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