Refurb'ing a Chinese Floor Drill Press - Parts and Disassembly Discussion

[farmersammm]

Reason #348 that 2020 is just a f'up year...

Back in September, as a last effort to find the spindle and pulley sleeve, I hit up the local Harbor Freight to see what the internals on their presses looked like.

Unbelievable - two of the medium sized models looked and measured correct (save for them being 6 spline vs. my original 4 spline). Great thing about being in a HF store, all the measuring tools are right there to use. I still wasn't sure about the pulley sleeve as I couldn't get a look at it, but when I grabbed a crescent wrench to try and pull the nut off - the employees had had enough of me and told me to knock it off lol.

Well heck, for $20 +/-, I ordered up the spindle, sleeve, and nut and crossed my fingers...

In early October I received a package - except only the nut and spindle were in it - no sleeve - BACKORDERED!!!!! AAAARRRRGGGHHHH - I'm so close.... But miracles upon miracles the spindle fit perfectly!

Attachment 1719265

So I patiently waited until the end of October, then I called to see if they had an idea when they would get more inserts in. "Oh yeah, they're here - you want we should send it to you?" Uh yeah, that'd be great. A week later - nada. Called again "So sorry, I'm going to just put a new order in and get it sent right out to you 2nd day air". Another week later (this past Wed) I called again - after 3 different people I got another promise to send one out ASAP.

'Ding Dong'...I answer the door today and lo and behold there's a fedex envelope with HF address on it! I eagerly pick it up...

Attachment 1719266

To see a big friggin' tear in it and nothing but a packing list inside...

2020? Go F yourself...

I know I shouldn't laugh, but I laugh with experience

I get my casting lead offa Fleabay. Sometimes I buy up to 50#. It's not too rare to get a box with a hole, and quite a few ingots missing Some guys don't pack the stuff too well.

Another time, I ordered a NOS Dorian toolpost set.................................Got an empty box with a hole in it Refused the package (I pick all my stuff up at the Post Office), and took a picture of the damaged box sitting on the Post Office counter. Called the seller, and they sent me another set........this time well taped, and padded. High value stuff is always insured, or should be, when dealing with a legit seller.

I can't actually believe ya started to disassemble a drill press in the store I'da kicked yer azz out of there in a heartbeat

[Shootr]

I know I shouldn't laugh, but I laugh with experience

I can't actually believe ya started to disassemble a drill press in the store I'da kicked yer azz out of there in a heartbeat

You read it as I intended - I can usually laugh at this crap after a cigar and a Wild Turkey...

And I was going to put the HF drill press back together when I was finished - promise!

[Shootr]

"It's always darkest before the dawn..."

Another package landed on my doorstep this afternoon - looks like all my calls resulted in the order being duplicated - and finally, in my hot little hand...



With great restraint, I slowly reassemble the bearings, the pulley, installed the belts...so far so good:



And lo and behold:



So, in closing out this adventure - for $30 (and months of patience) I now have a fine drill press that can drop down to 220RPM and as fast as 2800RPM.

[In Utopia]

There is nothing like the thrill of victory.
Well done sir.

[filetobeef]

There is nothing like the drill of victory.
Well done sir.

fixed it for you....

[Capt B]

Sometimes patience is the most important part. Good job!

[farmersammm]

It's always nice when something works out