Drill press expectations slipping
Hello all,
I’ve got a Shop Fox radial drill press that I have a lukewarm relationship with. It’s got a 1/2 hp motor, but the belt slips anytime I use a bit of any size. I was using a 1/2″ forstner this weekend on some cherry and it was near hopeless (the bit is a cheap one), but the situation is similar with decent bits too.
I’ve tried tightening the belt and think its about right and also tried a bit of belt dressing. A couple of questions–
What’s reasonable to expect for a 1/2 HP drill press, specifically how big a bit will do OK for drilling out mortises etc, assuming I’m using a good quality sharp bit?
Would a link belt substantially help the situation? Any other tricks to prevent slippage?
Otherwise it does OK, but is big for my shop given it’s current performance…
Thanks!
C
Replies
slippage
Have you tried cleaning the pulleys, with naptha, or something similar?
My old Delta is probably a 1/2 horse, too, although I can't get to the motor to verify that. I've used Forstner bits in excess of 2" with no problem. Slow feed rate and sharp bits are essential, though.
Link belts are great for reducing vibration, but I'm not sure how they compare to regular v-belts in terms of grip.
Good idea, I'll definitely try cleaning the pulleys. The chuck came covered in some sort of evil goo that took a bunch of effort to get off...
evil goo
I think they call that stuff cosmos-line, because cleaning it off will send you into the cosmos. ;-)
Don't forget to check the set screws that hold the pullies to the shafts, a pully could be slipping, not just the belt. I cut 4" holes with my old, busted Rockwell radial drill press in the hundreds with a dull hole saw, just cut 30 1 1/4" holes with an old forstener bit for new clamps racks. Your drill press should be able to do the same, easily.
Thanks Hammer; I'll double check the set screws. This morning I hit both pulleys with carb cleaner followed by a health dose of belt dressing and the situation has improved markedly. I think the culprit was chinese comos goo indeed.
Cheers,
C
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