Don't confuse the quill of a milling machine with the quill of a drill
press. The mill's spring return is not designed to freely raise the quill
(snap back) if you turn loose of the handle. The spring acts as an assist
only, when raising the quill. In all likelihood if it returns as freely as
a drill press this indicates the quill is seriously worn. You can purchase
the housing and spring as a unit. Check with a machine tool supply house.

Bob Swinney
"tony" wrote in message
...
thanks for the tips everyone..

took the downfeed apart today. turns out it wasn't
"kicking out" .. it was always engaged, but the gears
(under the front cover, beneath the push/pull knob for
direction) were loose. a few turns on the setscrews and
i was in business.

i also discovered that its not for drilling. at least not
big holes. put a 20mm drill in there and.. well it bored
about 2mm deep before i had to retighten all the
setscrews again. i'll use it for boring, as recommended.
just happy to have it working.

next job: the broken ("clock") spring in the drill press
handle. (sorry dont know the technical name)

the spring was broken in two spots.. at the start and end
(where the little holes are that fit over the pins).. i took
the spring out, cut it a bit, punched new holes (that was tough!)
and tried to recoil it. it snapped again, and i shortened it
again. its probably 2" shorter on both ends. after fiddling
for a few hours i gave up. i just couldnt wind the coil
tight enough to get it back under the handle. finally, when
i did, i couldn't get it to latch on the retents.

as it is, i have to lift the quill by hand (lever) after drilling
a hole.. it doesnt snap back up after i'm finished.

tips?

thanks again,
-tony