I just called on a benchtop Delta drill press for sale. Guy wants $50 for it, but said the chuck fell out of it. Doesn’t sound great to me, but it’s about 75% cheaper than new, so I’m still intrigued.
Anyone had that happen? Obviously, I know nothing about what went on to make that happen, but is it worth fixing/getting fixed?
Thanks.
PS. I haven’t even seen it yet, I just don’t want to pay $50 for a very large paperweight.
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Replies
Do those benchtop drill presses have a morse taper? If so, then it would seem that $50 would be an O.K. deal assuming there are no other problems.
Don't know what that is. Most of their stuff has Jacobs 33 chucks.
I havea Delta drill press, and it has a morse taper. so it could be there's nothing wrong with it.
If you get the model number from the guy you might be able to find out frmo Delta. Or have the guy email you a digital pic of the chuck if you can't get there to see for yourself.
The chuck fell out due to extreme side pressure and/or,vibration Un- like most chucks (Portable drills)which have 'screw on' threaded chucks, drill presses have tapered chucks.
To reinsert the chuck, examine the spindle end (Male) for any little nicks or,debrie and gently file it clean and smooth .
The tapered hole in the chuck should also be examined and cleaned (use very fine crocus cloth or steel wool)DO NOT PUT OIL ON THE TAPERS
To attach the chuck, extend the spindle down and grasp the pulley at it's top with one hand ,to prevent it turning . Hold the chuck in the other hand and 'wring'/ twist the female taper up and around the spindle's male taper.
Normally that will suffice.... If not, a reasonable knock with a wood or plastic hammer will seat it. Before using the mallet,and to prevent damaging the jaws, run the chuck's three jaws up into the shell of the chuck. Good luck! Steinmetz
Before reinserting the chuck, a good rubbing with plain old white chalk will give it enough bite to stay in place.
I've done this on many tapers on DP's and Lathes. Works likke a charm."you are dead a lot longer than you are alive"Noah Aaron MacKenzie, 1990.
DO NOT PUT OIL ON THE TAPERS
I remember my first drill press.
be yep, DO NOT PUT OIL ON THE TAPERS I was informed treacherously by a young Patrick that neighbor Seeley, an Irishman, in the intervals of the carting, transferred the still tolerable, straight, and drivable nails, staples, and spikes to his pocket, and then stood when I came back to pass the time of day, and look freshly up, unconcerned, with spring thoughts, at the devastation; there being a dearth of work, as he said. He was there to represent spectatordom, and help make this seemingly insignificant event one with the removal of the gods of Troy. -Thoreau's Walden
Some of the older models used a grub screw (Allen setscrew) to lock the bearing to the straight, non-tapered shaft. This allowed a quick change to the mortising setup. If the shaft is straight, the bearing set screw probably came loose. Good luck.
I've seen about 3 different Delta Drill presses in my life and they all had tapered spindles. Likely nothing wrong with it at all, clean up the spindle and smack it home. It's a good deal.
Good deal for you. Mine has a tapered shaft too. The chuck just slips on the shaft.