Thread: SPD-25A Drill Press problems

Hi All,

I don’t know if I should post this in the Metalwork forum or the ‘General & Small Machinery’ forum so here goes.

I just bought a SPD-25A drill press from H&F and although I have only just assembled it so far I have found a few problems and would like to know what experience others are having.


My problems so far are

• When the feed handle is screwed up it is binding on the main body and won’t turn. Hopefully this can be fixed with a spacer but I tried a 2mm thick spacer yesterday and it didn’t work.
• The column support has been damaged and when the table is turned it stops the rack from rotating more than 90 degrees. I can see the problem easily but I am not sure I have the tools to fix this without doing a butcher job on it.
• The tab used to detect an open belt guard touches the rear belt when the motor is turned off and the belt is in the bottom position, not real bad but an annoying noise and may end up damaging the belt. I can probably fix this by grinding off a few mm from the tab.
• The column clamp must be turned very hard to lock the table. This is the one that I don’t think that I can live with because I am not certain it can be fixed and will be present everytime I move the table.

I just had a talk to H&F and they were quite happy to replace it but it is an hours drive each way so I am going to have a good look at it on Saturday before making a decision, but I am currently leaning toward taking it back.

Thanks Dennis

Sounds like it would be best to take it back. It may just be a dud in the bunch. Frustrating having to take it back but H&F will be unlikely to take something back that you have unsuccessfully tried to bring up to spec.

Spend your Saturday taking it back and open and assemble the new one you get on the spot or in the car park.
It's new and shouldn't need work.

Dave

Definately take it back. If You keep it You may find later it also had Hidden Faults that You couldn't see.