Drill press column length adjustment
 

I just recently purchased a 17" benchtop drill press from a industrial
supplier. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that the distance from the
spindle to the table is a max of 18" and I really need it to be 24" for
me to do what I'm looking to drill. I talked to the supplier and there
isn't much they can do. I can get a longer column sent but at a premium
price where it'd be just as cheap to buy a new drill press of proper
size. The column is 80 mm (3-1/8") OD. Can someone pass along some
advice as to how I might go along with extending the column length so i
don't need to scrap this drill press and shell out more money for a new
one?

thanks,

Scott

I just recently purchased a 17" benchtop drill press from a industrial
supplier. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that the distance from the
spindle to the table is a max of 18" and I really need it to be 24" for
me to do what I'm looking to drill. I talked to the supplier and there
isn't much they can do. I can get a longer column sent but at a premium
price where it'd be just as cheap to buy a new drill press of proper
size. The column is 80 mm (3-1/8") OD. Can someone pass along some
advice as to how I might go along with extending the column length so i
don't need to scrap this drill press and shell out more money for a new
one?


Can you simply remove the table and if so, is there at least 24.5" from base
to spindle?

One more quick idea... Not likely to work, but if you need a machine and
you're not going to buy another, this might give some folks some ideas...
Cut the column up near the drill press head (leave 2" or more) and make a
split sleeve out of a larger pipe that can be clamped outside the column's
OD. Use some good collars to squeeze the split pipe down on both ends...

I'd personally cut a single slot about 2" long in the end of the "extension
pipe" on both ends and keep the rest of the pipe as solid as possible. I'd
also use the thickest wall pipe I could find with the proper / appropriate
ID dimension.

Alternately, you could do the same to the column and insert a solid bar
inside to keep the overall OD of the column area smaller.

--


Regards,
Joe Agro, Jr.
(800) 871-5022
http://www.AutoDrill.com
http://www.Multi-Drill.com

V8013


"Joe AutoDrill" wrote in message
news:dy0Wd.42104$ya6.1535@trndny01...
I just recently purchased a 17" benchtop drill press from a industrial
supplier. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that the distance from the
spindle to the table is a max of 18" and I really need it to be 24" for
me to do what I'm looking to drill. I talked to the supplier and there
isn't much they can do. I can get a longer column sent but at a premium
price where it'd be just as cheap to buy a new drill press of proper
size. The column is 80 mm (3-1/8") OD. Can someone pass along some
advice as to how I might go along with extending the column length so i
don't need to scrap this drill press and shell out more money for a new
one?


Can you simply remove the table and if so, is there at least 24.5" from
base to spindle?

Hey all,

Thanks for the great input, let me add a couple more details that may
help describe my situation a bit more.

I am able to remove the table and that will give me more than enough
room from the drill bit to the base to for the part, however, then with
my jig and part, the bit is too far above it and the spindle distance
can't make up for the difference. Unfortunately, there is no way to
lower the head of the machine.

The designated workshop area of the house I am currently renting is not
exactly the flattest, actually quite bad, so I bought a stand that has
adjustable feet which I am using to level the drill press. For that
reason, I would like to make the current setup with stand work if
possible as opposed to swiveling the press and mounting my jig and part
to another bench.

Unfortunately, I do not have a lathe, this is my first big piece of
machinery I have bought, I only own hand power tools besides the drill
press. I wouldn't mind making another column but since I don't have
the means of doing so, don't know how I would go about doing it and if
it's worth the money. Also, the column is flanged at the end all in
one cast piece, so if I made a new column, I guess i would have to
attach a new flange to it, again, I'm not very well versed on how to go
about that but any ideas would be great.

I may end up selling this one and grabbing a floor model but was hoping
to avoid that, hence the reason for the post.

Again, thanks for the ideas, I'm sure you guys can guide me towards how
to achieve some of them..

Scott

In article . com, Scotty G.
says...

I may end up selling this one and grabbing a floor model but was hoping
to avoid that,

You can do little stuff on a big drill press, but you can't do
big stuff on a little drill press.

Buy the bigger one.

Jim


--
==================================================
please reply to:
JRR(zero) at pkmfgvm4 (dot) vnet (dot) ibm (dot) com
==================================================

Scotty G. wrote:
Hey all,

Thanks for the great input, let me add a couple more details that may
help describe my situation a bit more.

I am able to remove the table and that will give me more than enough
room from the drill bit to the base to for the part, however, then with
my jig and part, the bit is too far above it and the spindle distance
can't make up for the difference. Unfortunately, there is no way to
lower the head of the machine.

At the risk of asking the obvious, can't you just place/clamp something
under that jig which will raise the workpiece to a workable height?

Or did I just trip over a troll?

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"As long as there are final exams, there will be prayer in public
schools"