Thread: What's the fuss about a Waldown drill

Originally Posted by thorens

I ... still want to find out what the fuss is all about this drill press brand .

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

When I was a young woodie I yearned for a Tough drill. I had a Taiwanese Rexxon (?) drill press, a unattractive box like affair that had one redeeming feature, a bit over 4 inches of quill travel. I bought the drill initially to enable the drilling of some deep accurate holes in the one and only bench I made. Then I found a little Tough bench drill in 1997 and sold the Rexxon. The Tough, unlike it's predecessor, didn't have a racked table. Somewhat less convenient but I was prepared to sacrifice convenience for beauty.

Then about 6 years ago I chanced upon my Waldown 3M. In my mind this drill had everything. I could even stand while using it rather than squat on the floor to use the Tough! But it also had 40 or so years worth of quill/casting wear and the table suffered from the worst case of chain drilling abuse I have ever seen. On the ubiquitous 8SN and the 2M and 3M, Waldown, like Tough, cast pinch bolt lugs into the head casting allowing the take up of play and locking of the quill. OK, I replaced the table and dollyed mine up with a coat of paint but even with the pinch bolt tweaked up there is still some quill slop with the quill extended. For more accurate drill press work I use the Tough.

Then there's the featureless Workmax Waldown. The version I have does not have the pinch bolt and it's rackless. Wear has taken its toll on the head casting. The quill when at full extension, has about 40 thou play. Whilst the drill is smooth and quiet that amount of play renders it fairly useless. I don't need 3 drills. Realistically I should just chuck the thing out. Realistically the T and C grinder should beat it out the door.

To me, Waldown's later plastic belt guarded drills don't have the appeal of the earlier models. Maybe the squared off look was a concession to modernity.

Faced with the prospect of replacing my drills I don't know what I would do. I imagine a new Waldown 2M is close to 5 large, a touch more than I would want to spend. There's Swedish, but I'd prefer belt drive. Then there is Chinese and I'm not starting another war by going there.

BT

Bob, work deals with a Melbourne crowd (www.ust.com.au) that does metal spraying and there is probably a place in Perth that does similar. It is possible that you could build up your quills a little and rebore the casting to remove that slop. Cheaper than a new drill. A thought anyway.

Michael

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

What did the king say about the bishop in Hamlet. Just a casual surmise and sure enough....LOL.

I was waiting for a reply on this. I knew it would happen. Great thing too.

I understand the solidity, finish and the Oz made aspect. What I need to work out is the other niceties and whether I can do without them. Maybe if it wasn't too much to ask I could impose on your hospitality next time I am in the big smoke and have a look? Please.

I want a pedestal drill as mentioned, but I am not going to be able to survive without a table lifting Mech. I cannot see one on the Yellow Waldown although the pic is less than perfect. Having another look the following one has a good description and plenty of photos. Waldown Drill Press in Illawarra, NSW | eBay This one sounds like it would be fine for me except for its location and it is only a bench model. It has a top speed of 5500rpm . Wow.

The description explains many things I wanted to know. I am guessing that there are older models with less features tho.

The Table on the Servian, on EBay is less than pleasing. I would not be happy with one like that.

Learning all the time. There is probably a high faluting way to say that and I could stick it up the top for everyone to see.

Any information on rebuilds and other brands would be gratefully accepted and I am sure that Rob Peter would agree with me. LOL. Oops, mixing up threads. Sigh

Dean

I have no idea how the quality compares (be interested to know what others think) but i have a Mcmillin taiwanese drill press. It must be 25 years old and it was pretty much my first real machine tool aquisition. For a few years it was my pride and joy. Still very happy with it and it miles ahead of anything i have seen in place like Binning (arrrrrrhhh!) and for the price ($127 in auction) im not likely to get anything better for the price. But like i said i don't know how it compares to others. Simon

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

Thanks Michael.
i read with interest .
Cheers
Peter

Originally Posted by MichaelG

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

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.!

DSCN1641.JPG

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...

For me, the single most important argument in favor of restoring an old Waldown is the quill. When I went looking for a new drill press, I was disappointed with the quill slop all these new Chinese machines have. The Waldown quill fits the body without rattling, even on very old machines - any play is finely adjustable with the clamp collar at the front of the head casting. Not many new drill press still has such an adjustable clamp collar. This feature alone makes it worth for me to put up with the badly chain drilled table. By the way, I have used kneadable metal epoxy to fill up the holes in the table. It can be smoothly sanded back to a flat surface after hardening, and it appears to hold up well to use (as long as one refrains from drilling into it....). Chris

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.!

DSCN1641.JPG

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...

great job Ray.
love the look of your finish
Peter

No fuss at all. My Waldown is flogged. My Tough is tight. I love my Tough.

Originally Posted by thorens

great job Ray.
love the look of your finish
Peter

It's even better in the flesh Peter.

Originally Posted by cba_melbourne

For me, the single most important argument in favor of restoring an old Waldown is the quill. When I went looking for a new drill press, I was disappointed with the quill slop all these new Chinese machines have. The Waldown quill fits the body without rattling, even on very old machines - any play is finely adjustable with the clamp collar at the front of the head casting. Not many new drill press still has such an adjustable clamp collar. This feature alone makes it worth for me to put up with the badly chain drilled table. By the way, I have used kneadable metal epoxy to fill up the holes in the table. It can be smoothly sanded back to a flat surface after hardening, and it appears to hold up well to use (as long as one refrains from drilling into it....). Chris

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

007 (Large).JPG

Not of much interest here due to rarity I suppose, but my well-used USA Walker-Turner 15 inch throat drill press was bought by tender from CSIRO Sydney, cheaply.
I'm pleased to have it, even though it sports an "arc of shame" on the table.
I thought I'd snookered myself when I found the spindle and pulley bearings were shot, and they were special hybrid inch/mm sizing. But, I found a small company in USA that specialises in keeping W-T machinery going. Four new, sealed special ball bearings - $40 including postage. Not bad for a 1935 design.
Good point: Bevel gear table lift, which isn't as wobbly as rack & pinion often are.
Not so good: No Morse taper in spindle.

Jordan
Walker-Turner-sm.jpg

Hi Bob,

Nice job! Was that done with the metal putty or did you make CI plugs? I have a vague memory of reading about that a couple years ago in a thread?


Simon

Originally Posted by nadroj

Not of much interest here due to rarity I suppose, but my well-used USA Walker-Turner 15 inch throat drill press was bought by tender from CSIRO Sydney, cheaply.
I'm pleased to have it, even though it sports an "arc of shame" on the table.
I thought I'd snookered myself when I found the spindle and pulley bearings were shot, and they were special hybrid inch/mm sizing. But, I found a small company in USA that specialises in keeping W-T machinery going. Four new, sealed special ball bearings - $40 including postage. Not bad for a 1935 design.
Good point: Bevel gear table lift, which isn't as wobbly as rack & pinion often are.
Not so good: No Morse taper in spindle.

Jordan
Walker-Turner-sm.jpg

My Tough has a direct mount chuck Jordan. If it didn't the chuck would dangle from the end of a 2 Morse quill extension. When I used to religiously check the Reliable Tools site on Ebay, there would frequently be Walker Turners listed. Nice looking bits of gear. Then after tiring of looking at one porch paint job after another I lost my religion. Having a table that maintained alignment when being raised or lowered would be a blessing. I suppose it's why they came up will mill drills.

Originally Posted by simonl

Hi Bob,

Nice job! Was that done with the metal putty or did you make CI plugs? I have a vague memory of reading about that a couple years ago in a thread?


Simon

I would have to be Merlin for that sort of transformation. The unmolested table was bought new from Brobo Waldown. I think this is what you remember - http://www.woodworkforums.com/attach...018-large-.jpg

Bob.

I suspect that a lot of their reputation is due to the fact that they cost more than $3,000 when new. About ten times the price of a Chinese equivalent but not ten times better IMHO. The Waldowns vary a bit depending on age and model. Later ones have the table elevating mechanism but early ones don’t. Some have a pinch bolt to takeup quill wear and some don’t. Some have only two pulleys and 4 speeds while some have an intermediate pulley and more speeds.
I currently have two Waldowns, a Servian, and what I’mpretty sure is a Fidax. And until recently I had a Taiwanese job I bought new in about 1982. I recently measured the quill play in them all and the results were:

Taiwanese (old but hardly any use) 0.1 mm
Good Waldown (no pinch bolt. History unknown) 0.03 mm
Worn Waldown (also no pinch bolt. History unknown) 0.1 mm
Servian (has pinch bolt but I’ve never adjusted it. History unknown) 0.02 mm

The play was measured carefully in the Y axis only with the quill fully withdrawn.
The Taiwanese drill also had considerable runout in thespindle but I don’t recall the number. My good Waldown has negligible runout.Having said that, the Taiwanese drill was solid and reliable and the round table would rotate and tilt. It vibrated and rattled a bit but would drillholes all day and the inaccuracy doesn’t matter for most jobs. The Waldown is much smoother and nicer to use but I don’t know that the holes it makes are any better. I guess it depends on whether you just want holes, or additionally, the pleasure of owning and using a quality machine.

Re: “Any information on rebuilds and otherbrands would be gratefully accepted “ (post #4)

I think my Servian is great. It is as smooth and accurate as the Waldown. Unfortunately (and strangely?) it only has a No.1 morse taper in the spindle. I picked it up by chance at a garage sale for $15 and haven’t done anything to it. The Fidax on the other hand, I like as a historical artefact but as a drill press its a piece of junk. It has gross play in the quill even after the pinch bolt is adjusted up until the quill starts to drag. On this machine anyway, the pinch bolt is of limited use as it only takes up some wear at the bottom of the quill housing. The wear (or poor original fit?) further up still allows the quill to move a lot.
It additionally has a lot of movement at the chuck because of the design of the spindle. There is a single ball bearing at the bottom of the quill but the top of the spindle is a sloppy fit in the spline drive, which, in turn, is a sloppy fit in its supporting BUSHES. I don’t know if the play in the bushes is wear, or the required running clearance, but even if you could eliminate that, there is still gross slop in the spindle spline that would be hard to correct. This slop at the top of the spindle results in a LOT of movement at the chuck (pivoting on the bottom ball bearing). So when this is added to the movement of the quill in its housing, its a shocker. But it still drills holes.
If you look at the close up photo of the Fidax, the lighter grey cylinder protruding from the top of the headstock houses the upper spindle bush. I think this is the give away for a bushed upper spindle. I’ve seen a few old drills on ebay with a similar looking arrangement. Personally, I’d steer clear of any drill built like this.
Graham.