drill press project

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I have a Shopsmith I have been dragging about forty years, I never really liked it, used it as a wood lathe for a while but I really don't like multi tools, never have.Its been sitting in the barn about the last ten years collecting dust, rust, chicken goop ( chickens didn't sit on it just in same building )Anyway I got the notion I could actually turn it into something usefull. Days of degreasing and getting rid of rust, a bunch of hand made parts. Remake the arm to mount the vise to, new bearings in the spindle, motor mount adapter, and stand.Getting pretty close to done, a minor tweak in the idler pulley system, it runs at a set 300 rpm now,  weld a mount for the start switch and wire it up for 220v a a 1hp motor. A lot more work than I originally figured on, but its pretty much done now.[ATTACH][ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH] Attached Images
Reply:Fredschrom-Good job, I really am a fan of repurposing tools and equip.  It really makes you work your mind. Walt
Reply:I should be out finishing it up now, but I am waiting on Fedex to deliver my plasma and I need to sign for it...tommorrow I guess.
Reply:This is a great idea guys.A few years back, I dug up an old drill press and added a worm drive gearbox, and some extra cone pulleys to make an ultra slow speed drill press with automatic feed, for very large drills and hole saws.It is very slow going, but it works well and can work continuously (if slowly) without any coolant.If you can scrounge some bits, a big powerful really rigid drilling machine is well worth having.Cheers,  Tony._________________________________Transmig 310 + Argoshield LightOxy acetyleneOxy propanePrehistoric stick welder_________________________________
Reply:" automatic feed, for very large drills and hole saws"Sans the auto feed that is the idea, to use it with annular cutters.Thanks for the encouragement.
Reply:I have a Heinrich Grip-Master drill press vise similar to the one you're using there.  After using that style of vise I will NEVER go back to the type that uses an acme thread for clamping.  It makes drilling holes almost a pleasure.
Reply:You can't really see it in the pictures but the round bar moves, and there are set screws in the square tubing to lock down the front tube, there is also a bolt in the back to micro adjust either way. I was fiddling around with it this evening and the back unsupported part of the vise bugs me, its plenty sturdy it just looks like a accident waiting to happen. I think I will get a piece of 4" angle and put another idler support under the end, although thats a little tricky, those bars are 100% parallel and the holes need to right on so it won't bind while sliding, I know I am going to do it I am just trying to justify why I don't want to go thru the trouble.I am also considering putting a VFD on it to control motor speed, we shall see, I am not painting myself into a corner right now, and I want to get it up and running before I drop the dollars on that.The one item I am working on is 1/2" shaft to 3/4" weldon adapter ( couldn't find one anywhere ) so I am making my own. The reason the frame is open is so I can put a tray under it and run coolant and recycle it.I should be making more progress on this but its # 3 on a list of projects but I keep plugging and I see end in sight.
Reply:Originally Posted by fredschromI am also considering putting a VFD on it to control motor speed, we shall see
Reply:" A VFD will certainly slow things down, but without adding any extra torque which you may find a limitation to making really big holes.An extra stage of pulley reduction will be a far better solution, because it also adds some serious low speed muscle when really needed.A bit like selecting low range in a four wheel drive. "True, I am not jumping into any additional tweaks yet though I put a 1 hp on it but, I don't see the point of going much bigger ( I have one ). A bigger more powerful motor would help, but it still has some shortcomings:1. not gear head2. no down feed3. 7 inches from spindle to bars so the swing is limited4. Bearing although I just replaced them they are still under 2" with around a 5/8 inch quill5. Not morse taper and never going to beI could do some work on the quill, remake it, beef it up, but I don't think its worth it, it will work good as a medium duty drill press.There was a used clausing for sale in our local craigslist a couple of weeks ago, it went for twice what a VFD costs. I have also been cautioned that the only way to not loose low speed torque is go three phase as single phase VFD's don't do well on low rpm and torque. My point being its not worth trying to make it something it never is going to do well, and save the dollars and just get a bigger press.It will beat the snot out of my Jet though, which has been left in my wood shop cause I dislike it so much.
Reply:Got it wired and fishished up, gave it a test run last night and it works good. Needs a belt guard when I get a chance. And I am building the support for the tail end of the vise, maybe later this week.Nice having a finished project. Attached Images
Reply:Not sure why the two pics of the plasma I just installed won't delete but pics are my other lastest project. Weird I edited the post and I am not even showing a attached pic, wierd.....OH well.
Reply:you might drill and tap a plate and have it where you can bolt it to the tubing under the vise, for clamping odd stuff with tie downs.. nice job...  will be a good wth is that item...tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/