As some of you may have read, I am looking to upgrade some of my Shop equipment and was looking for a "clean" vintage American Made (floor model)drill press to replace my 22 year old 1/2 HP MSC 16 speed floor model. I've spend weeks looking on Craig's List, Auctions, blah blah blah and either they were beaters, too far away from my home, or priced way too high for what they were.

Being that there was really nothing wrong with the one I already had - other than the fact that it was made in Taiwan, and had a Hitachi 1/32" - 5/8" chuck I decided that instead of driving myself nuts looking for a needle in a haystack, I'd just upgrade mine.

I just received a NIB (older one, NOS) Jacobs #34-6 0" - 1/2" chuck with a #2 Morse taper, which included an American made 6JT to #2 MT Arbor AND a BEATUIFUL vintage Jacobs Ball Bearing Super Chuck No.18N (1/8" - 3/4") with an American made arbor as well. Both these chucks came with the factory keys and the No. 18N also came with a Jacobs Mini Chuck that actually chucks into the No. 18N with a range of 0" - 3/16" and has a straight Arbor.

I replaced the original belts (dried out and noisy) - with new Gates Belts, disassembled the pulleys and lubed the shafts, then readjusted everything. I am VERY happy with these upgrades which cost me under $150.00 - that's REALLY CHEAP as the 3 Chucks list for over $600.00 and the new ones from Jacobs are Chinese, not Made in the USA as these are! In combination with my Heavy Duty Starrett Drill Press vise and box of Clamps, Angles, Blocks, Jacks, Centers, Bits etc. I think I've made substantial upgrades to what I had before, increased the range of what I can do and the drill bits I can now use, and unless something falls in my lap like an old Bridgeport, South Bend, Walker Turner, etc. that's in descent shape, I think that my Drill Press itchings have been scratched. I am NOT a big ebay fan, but this time I really lucked out! The sellers accurately described what they were selling and were willing to accept the offers I made instead of paying the asking prices. I guess these days items like this are not big demand items anymore.

Now onto the Lathe upgrade.............

Regards,
Chief38

I don't know what half of that stuff even means, but it sounds really good!

Basically it means that one of the most important parts of the Drill Press is now more versatile and I can now tightly grip any bit from 1/32" to 3/4". It also means that there is virtually no run-out (wobble) and the Chucks run true (unlike most of the Chinese ones). Not only that, but since I spend a few hours a day in my Shop and constantly use my machinery I like the "FEEL" of quality, smoothness and precision. I don't even like the looks of Chinese tools and machinery. If you're not into this stuff you might think I'm nuts, but it's like Snap-on tools are to a Professional Mechanic - the tools just have to "feel" right.

When you shoot a Pheasant with an expensive hand engraved, custom stocked Shotgun, the Pheasant is just as dead as if you shot him with a JC Higgins $100 Shotgun - but the Hunter might feel better..........

You did a nice job upgrading. I have a 60+ yr old Delta 1/32-5/8" drill press that I got from my dad. He got from the local high school in the 60's. Great machine, lots of cast iron.
I do have a couple smaller Jacobs & Albreight chucks. The smallest Albreight I have (0-5/32?) Is chucked into a Foredom flex shaft. Great chucks and No key to lose.

From what I've seen the OLD Delta's like yours are really good American made machines! The new Chinese ones........... well you know.

Sounds like your pleased with the results. I didn't see what happened on the variable speed situation. I thought you were looking to do something with adding variable speed without changing the belts on the pulleys? Maybe I miss that.

Pete

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Don't tread on me

I was Pete, but the variable speed thing became more of a hassle than it was worth. I watched a few videos on youtube (regarding a Tech Unit VFD) and decided that changing belt locations on the pulleys wasn't all that hard. I then started looking for a good used variable speed Clausing DP, but most were either too beat up, too large for my Shop, or just crazy bucks. I did find a few I might have considered, but they were located over 500 miles from me. I decided to upgrade the one I have for now, however the Chucks that I bought are fine quality ones and can of course be used on ANY Drill Press I might find in the future. If my dream machine does become available and I buy it, I'll keep the new Chucks and sell the old DP with the original one. Morse taper Chucks easily pop off.

The main thing now is that with the new Jacob Chucks I can use up to 3/4" shank drill bits which I could not do before.

Regards,
Bob

There's nothing like a good drill press. I spent months looking and more saving up for my 16" Delta I bought new about 10 years ago. Just about every time I use it, I just grin because it's such a pleasure to use.

I only have a tiny 12" Jet lathe, but I've made a couple hundred pens on it. I love working in my tiny shop. I'm glad to hear you've got yours on the upgrade path.

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Freedom isn't free.

You will be glad you kept the press you have...I too have been in the market for a better press. I am looking for one with a better depth stop. Mine is like all the new ones, that stupid little spring loaded wheel you spin that is not accurate or repeatable. They put it on every one made these days. The good ole' simple fine thread machine screw with the split nuts is dead on and repeats the setting so easy why do you have to buy a $10,000 radial press to get one that works??? Any of you guys know of a reasonable drill press with a decent depth stop adjustment???? I can always change the chuck, I don't care about that but the depth stop is what it is.

When it comes to depth, yea mine has the locking wheel too - but I never rely on the measurements indicated on it. I use a Rule to set the depth lock. As far as repeatability goes, it's fine for that as long as it does not get loosened up, which has not happened in 22 years - yet.

I will always keep my eyes opened for a good variable speed Clausing DP that has been gently used but won't buy a beater as they are getting harder more costly to get original parts for. I do not mind and would rather expect that any used 30, 40 or more year old used machine will need some work and mild restoration, but I don't want to do a total restoration and spend more than it's worth. Wish I had thought about buying one of these suckers while they were still made in America!

I always felt that a good drill press and band saw make a shop a better place. They remove metal faster than any other machine in the shop.

I am a drill press connoisseur (snob to most )

My shop (a business) I have everything from at Clausing vari speed floor drill, a gear drive Arboga and a Doall Jackknife drill. I had a mid size radial drill that I sold off in order to down size, I miss it sometimes!

A real important thing is to have good drill bits and keep them sharp.

A good chuck is a wonderful thing, you will wonder how you lived with out it. The older (real) Jacobs shucks can be repaired, they sell or sold new jaws and small parts for them. I would try to get them now while you can...

I got turned on to the Albrecht chucks for 1/2" and under, ever try one?


Another thing that is a great up grade on a drill is making the table bigger, they always seem so small. Scrounge up a nice aluminum plate half inch think or so. Just over lay the table, you will have room to clamp parts, and set stuff up. You can drill and tap holes as needed. If you want to keep the new holes nice just screw in a set screw when not in use.

Another machine that once you have you never know how you live with out, the arbor press.

Next week, lathes or milling machines?

Chief, where are you located I find machines quite often...

You have to believe there are tens of thousands of guys in this country who feel the same way about good American made equipment and would pay for quality. Sadly, nobody seems to care much for this segment of the population.

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Back to back World War Champs.

PM SENT - thank you!
Chief38