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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
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    Aus
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    Default Anywhere to buy a drill press without a motor?

    Hi,

    Most drill presses use the standard arrangement of 3x4 (12) or 4x4 (16) speeds, with an intermediate pulley. Ironically, if they had single-stage reductions (4-5 speeds), you might actually bother changing them. In reality, you set them to around 1000 RPM and live with things being too slow or too fast.

    As such, I looked into a variable speed drill press, but the pickings are pretty slim. These all use some type of adjustable pulley arrangement. There's a Sherwood 750W model for over $1000 delivered from Timbecon, and several discontinued models, including a $400 benchtop Full Boar model from Bunnings. Kincrome also made one (discontinued). The rarity of these makes me wonder if there's something inherently wrong with the design, otherwise why wouldn't all drill presses use CVT arrangements?

    So the best option seems to be the 3-phase motor and VFD arrangement, but this means "wasting" the single-phase motor that comes with any sub-$2500 drill press. (I'd be looking at the $400-500 range.)

    Is there any means of getting a new drill press without a motor? Other option is something used, but there seems to be very little available in Brisbane, Gold Coast or 50 km in all directions.

    Thanks for the help

  2. #2
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Perth
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    A friend of mine bought a new DP for $450, and a used 3P motor for $50, he removed the motor froth DP one and sold it for $100.

    Swapping the motor sounds easy but there are a few other things to consider.

    Maybe have a read of the attached PDF.
    Attached Files Attached Files

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    melbourne australia
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Edd View Post
    So the best option seems to be the 3-phase motor and VFD arrangement, but this means "wasting" the single-phase motor that comes with any sub-$2500 drill press. (I'd be looking at the $400-500 range.)
    You could just put the single phase motor to use in something else. Maybe fit a polishing mop or wire wheel to it?
    Chris

  4. #4
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    You could just put the single phase motor to use in something else. Maybe fit a polishing mop or wire wheel to it?
    Unfortunately the motor will almost certainly be a 1450 rpm motor so it won't be good at either of these tasks although a pair of pulleys and belt couple be employed as an RPM doubler?

  5. #5
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    Dec 2005
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    Aus
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    Default

    Thanks for the replies guys, and for the great PDF, BobL!

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    A friend of mine bought a new DP for $450, and a used 3P motor for $50, he removed the motor froth DP one and sold it for $100.

    Swapping the motor sounds easy but there are a few other things to consider.
    Ooh, selling the motor as OEM might be a good option. And you're right – my dad's going through the same with his milling machine and different shaft size means reboring a pulley stack and broaching it, which is a giant pain to do ad-hoc on a lathe.

    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    You could just put the single phase motor to use in something else. Maybe fit a polishing mop or wire wheel to it?
    Also not a bad idea (albeit with a 1:2 speed multiplier), but I've already made a 2x72 belt sander with one, and have 2 more spare single phase motors.

  6. #6
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    When you buy a replacement motor I recommend buying one with twice the HP of the original. This will to some extent overcome the loss of motor power at <50Hz.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
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    Melbourne
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    35
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    Default

    I have a few machines that use different mechanical variator arrangements and the one thing they all have in common is eye watering cost of the components. I dont think there are any cheap mechanical methods of continuous varying speed that are any good.

    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    Melbourne
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    After tearing down and rebuilding the CVT arrangement on my mill, I can see that well built CVTs on machines are not cheap. Building one for a standard DP would make it very expensive. Certainly the added cost of a 3PH motor and VFD would be alot more economical.

    I only use 3 speeds on my 12 speed DP for same reason. Cant be bothered doing anything about it!

    I use my mill if I want infinite speed selection. Which is almost never.

    Simon

    Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  9. #9
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    Apr 2012
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    Healesville
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    A m8 gave me a 1 hp 3 ph motor and the vfd was 86 bucks from ebay, the belt is adjusted to slip if it grabs.
    The only problem I have had is I had to put a partial guard over the switch as I could not stop myself turning it off there
    every time i drilled a hole Other than that this is one of the easiest and best mods you can do in your workshop.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  10. #10
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    melbourne australia
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    Your PD is almost identical to mine John. I got rid of the intermediate pulley. Did you?
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Chris

  11. #11
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    Dec 2011
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    Sydney
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    I have been very happy with the cheap second hand speed variator that I fitted to the main drive of my new lathe about 40 years ago.
    The lathe (Denford Viceroy, not too common in Aus I think) was a demonstrator imported to explore the market, but due to lack of interest was flogged off a cheaper than a Hercus of lower spec and without attachments. Reason for wanting a speed variator was the original speed change system was in a small dark space under the headstock in the cabinet, and changing speed required squatting low and struggling with the belts, without enough belt slack to make it easy.

    The speed variator is a Robley, made in Geelong, and my version uses A section V belts and works between the motor and a fixed V pulley: the double V pulley on the Robley has a sliding centre element that moves axially to equalise the forces generated by the two belts. Speed ratio between slowest and fastest is about 4:1, not as much as I would like but I can live with that. To give an idea of size, the Robley pulleys are about 130mm diameter.

    Robley 1.jpg

    Robley 2.jpg

    Robley 3.jpg

    Robley 4.jpg

    In recent years I have been looking for at least one more Robley style variator (drill press being one obvious application) but Robleys (also similar items from Hi-Lo etc) are unobtanium as far as I can make out. The 4:1 range is a bit limiting but could greatly extended by using a VFD on the motor or (to really preserve deliverable torque ) bolting the motor to a sliding mount and fit it with a spring tension variator pulley.

    Bill

  12. #12
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    Healesville
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    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    Your PD is almost identical to mine John. I got rid of the intermediate pulley. Did you?
    No Chris i left it as is, but i did give it a birthday with a few new brgs.
    The belts look (quite) a bit knackered even tho they are only 37 years old.....

  13. #13
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    Apr 2012
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    Quote Originally Posted by WCD View Post
    The 4:1 range is a bit limiting but could greatly extended by using a VFD on the motor or (to really preserve deliverable torque ) bolting the motor to a sliding mount and fit it with a spring tension variator pulley.

    Quote Originally Posted by WCD View Post
    In recent years I have been looking for at least one more Robley style variator (drill press being one obvious application) but Robleys (also similar items from Hi-Lo etc) are unobtanium as far as I can make out. The 4:1 range is a bit limiting but could greatly extended by using a VFD on the motor or (to really preserve deliverable torque ) bolting the motor to a sliding mount and fit it with a spring tension variator pulley.
    G/day Bill, a spring tension variable pulley is easy enough to make, instead of sliding the motor a flat idler pulley on the back of the belt fixed to an arm and lever would adjust the speed.

  14. #14
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    Dec 2011
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    Sydney
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    505

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    Quote Originally Posted by shedhappens View Post
    G/day Bill, a spring tension variable pulley is easy enough to make, instead of sliding the motor a flat idler pulley on the back of the belt fixed to an arm and lever would adjust the speed.
    Thanks shed, that's a great idea.
    Don't even need to make a variator pulley as I have a couple.
    Cheers,
    Bill

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    Default

    Hi Guys,

    Talking about variators, I used to have a car, can't remember the name, but it didn't have gears as such, you released the brake and pressed the accelerator to set off and the speed increased as you put your foot down. It also had a free wheel device, so if you were going down hill you could just take your foot off the accelerator and apply the brakes as needed, no engine retardation.

    Bloody expensive to maintain though. If a belt broke, not only did you not have any drive but you needed a second mortgage to pay for a repair. I got it second hand cheap ! It took me about six months to find out why.

    I traded it for a nice Triumph Herald. Much nicer car.

    EDIT: Just remembered the car name "Wartburg" !
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

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