I was recently given an old Delta Drill press (see photo at address below). The serial # is 49-6326, anyone know the model and approximate year of manufacture. It's missing the chuck key and it seems to be an odd size (5/16ths pilot). Does anyone know a source for this part or should I get a new chuck - present one works but is a little rusty - I'm not sure how to remove it.
Larry Webb
I can't say what key it takes as I have replace mine a while back. If your looking for a new chuck justs get one that fits a 33JT spindle. I have had two of those drillp presses in my lifetime. One was a floor model that got stolen, and the other was a bench that I made into a floor model, and added a jackshaft. They are great machines, and a new Jacobs or Rohm chuck makes it into an even better machine. Its a little on the fast side for drilling steels etc with larger bits, as its lowest speed is about 550 rpm, and could really benefit from being slowed down.
I believe you could still get a replacement key as they seem to be pretty standard, but you can get a new chuck on ebay for under $20.00 of good quality.
Whata ever you do, do not pry on the chuck on the spindle to remove it. The spindles are soft and will bend. Best way to remove it is to drill a hole of about1/4" in the center of the chuck facing inside it with the jaws wide open. Its a small section anbout 3/16" or less thick you will go through, and then you will hit a cavity, before it hits the end of the spindle itself. Support the spindle w/ chuck in a vise so the spindle is free and not secured, but just the back of the chuck is resting on the vise jaws, and use a 1/4" punch placed in the hole you drilled and hit it with a hammer. It should pop right off. You can also buy or make a pair of wedges..........but drilling the hole is quick, easy and costs nothing but a few minutes time.
These machines were made in the late 40's to about late 60's in this style. Not much changed thru the years except the head castings and guards, they all use the same rack, quill, spindle and bearings etc. Very durable machine. Exact matchine pulleys are hard to find, so make sure your belts are in good shape and tight so you don';t ruin or wear out a pulley.
To remove spindel and chuck assembly, lower quill all the way to the bottom, and lock in place with quill lock. Rotate the chuck by hand until the collar on the top of the quill has the set screw exposed to the front. Hold on the bottom of the spindle assembly with one hand and loosen the collar, and the spindle will drop right on out. There are two dogs on the bottom of this collar, so make sure you get them in the recess in the quill top when you reassemble the thing. On reassembly, put spindle and chuck assembly in quill and make sure the drive pin on the bottom goes in the slot. Position table with a block of wood under the spindle snug, and lock in place. Use a piece of alum stock or wood to put some downward pressure on the locking colar and tighten the setscrew. This eliminates any axial play in the spindle to quill assembly. Thats it, easy to do.
Parts do show up on ebay from time to time, and some parts from newer machines will fit but some are just hard to find.
Check out my website for adding a jackshaft. Better yet is a DC motor with speed control of about 1 hp or so. The jack shaft project is on mthe projects page and listed as Drill Press Jackshaft Regards
Visit my website:
Larry,
I have four of those drill presses scattered around the shop. I got them all used, but I think they are late forties or early fifties vintage. The chucks are Jacobs 6A, but I forget how they are mounted. What you really want to know...look for a Jacobs #3 key.
George Willer
Jacobs K-3 has 5/16 pilot. Gerry :-)} London, Canada
Call up Delta and they'll tell you the date and model, plus mail you the manuals.
K3 key, as used on JT6 and JT33 chucks should fit. You chuck is pressed onto a male taper on end of the spindle. You buy a set of small Jacobs wedges and force it off with a c-clamp or vise.
GTO(John)
This is an interesting machine in that the spindle has only two splines and a collar holds it in place. Delta designed the machine to take interchangable spindles for various purposes such as drilling with chuck, #2 morse shanked drills, router bit adapter, etc. It's a 14" machine and quill has the drilling depth scale engraved on the front with a nifty adjustable pointer, no? Interesting bit of DP design here... Much nicer than the modern import crap. Health & Peace, Uncle Lucky ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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