Thread: What's the fuss about a Waldown drill

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

My Servian. I found it in the back of a workshop many years ago and paid about $150 for it. It is a four speed gear head drive which limits the top speed a bit but for the price I didn't complain. I think Servian were a bit like the Asian importers today, that is they sourced a drill and re-badged it. I know of another like mine the only difference is it has a two speed motor thus eight speeds.

Black and Decker must of followed suit. If I only had 3 phase, I'd buy it (could be a Indian copy though).

I shouldn't complain though, I have Sterling Drill press which was made in the same factory as the Richardson's. Really heavy and very sturdy.

Ben

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

Chris.

What is it about the round table that you don't like?

Dean

Most square tables have hold down slots where this one does not. That combined with no tilt makes stuff a bit hard some times. On the other hand the head has rise and fall and both it and the table rotate around the column. I have used this in times past to end drill columns etc. I suspect if I got into the motor I could make it two speed but I can't be bothered.

Originally Posted by WCD

Back on the Waldown theme the attached photo shows a rather laid back version spotted recently at Mick Moyle's.
Attachment 281718
A wall mounted Waldown? (Only because I haven't worked out how to rotate the image.)

Cheers,
Bill

G'day Bill.

Its pretty common to see that configuration in repetition turning shops. Its set up to put the chamfer on the ends of bars, so they run through the bar feeder and into the spindle. You put a female cone in the spindle that has a blade that shaves a large chamfer. The chuck is to clamp the bar. Normally a 3 jaw, self centering, looks to me like that one is a 4 jaw.

Regards Phil.

On edit, That seems to be a 4 jaw self centering scroll chuck. I guess that would be good for square bars also.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Most square tables have hold down slots where this one does not. That combined with no tilt makes stuff a bit hard some times. On the other hand the head has rise and fall and both it and the table rotate around the column. I have used this in times past to end drill columns etc. I suspect if I got into the motor I could make it two speed but I can't be bothered.

Ok Chris. My round table has 6 hold down slots (not Tee), rotates on its own axis, rotates around the column, tilts left and right and has a thru hole in the centre about 20mm diam. I have also fitted an angle bracket underneath it to clamp a length of 25mm RHS as a support for long pieces. If it had precise 90 deg locking on all pivots it would be the perfect table for me.

Dean

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

It's even better in the flesh Peter.




There was no way that I could have put up with this mess Chris.

I hate magicians...................................where did the holes go

Dean popped in to visit last night and try out the Waldown. He also tried an Albrecht chuck. I think we have another convert...

Michael

Originally Posted by Michael G

Dean popped in to visit last night and try out the Waldown. He also tried an Albrecht chuck. I think we have another convert...

Michael

Yes indeed. I left Michael cleaning up the mess I made on his nice clean floor etc.

Dean

Originally Posted by RayG

Waldown have developed a bit of a cult following, they are in stark contrast to the cheap chinese junk that seems to be everywhere. I've got a Peerless drill press that I've had for 40 years Taiwanese made I think and I love it.. solid dependable ( much abused ) but NO holes in the table... Then there's a Toyo 10,000 rpm drill press I use for PCB work. Hiding somewhere is a Ryobi that is handy for fishing trips when I need a light weight anchor..

But my favourite is my restored Waldown 8SN, rescued from a rusty grave for $70 at auction it has new paint and rebuild, and a new lease on life, runs quiet and smooth.. if there's a Waldown cult club, sign me up.!

Attachment 281512

Regards
Ray

PS Almost forgot I got a Waldon High speed at the recent ANU Austion for $119+RIP Ewan is holding it as ransom for a Glacern Vise, against it's will... A midnight ninja rescue is in the planning stages...

Any chance you’ve still got the Toyo drill? I’d love to see a picture, I have a Toyo lathe that is an awesome piece of equipment!
Cheers
Matt

Originally Posted by Michael G

They are not an extreme high precision tool or even a state of the art design. The reason they are so well liked on the forum (and in industry too probably) is that they are are good rigid machine, well finished and still made in Australia with parts usually available (and the guys in Brobo-Waldown are very helpful too). As such they hold their value and are usually able to be restored/ refurbished with a bit of effort which is well rewarded.
I picked up a Waldown several years ago and fixed it up to replace a Chinese drill press. The Waldown feels much more solid and runs smoothly up to 3000rpm (top speed). I never went above around 1600rpm with it's predecessor as it would start noticeably vibrating. For really small holes they did a 12,000rpm version - rarer but still in demand at the right price.

Perhaps a few others can add their Waldown stories or of other brands worth the effort of restoring.

Michael

as you say,there must be something special about them, Michael.

They were installed in the Man Arts section at the school I last worked at .

If exposed to high school kids and surviving after 30 plus years, that is enough to recommend them on the grounds toughness and reliability.

It would be nice to see one tricked out with good bearings, keyless chuck and good lighting.

I have a soft spot for them.

Grahame