Drill Press usage : what speed(s) do you use & belt removal?

Homerjh · 25 Jan 2014

Hi all, got a drill press (from filsgreen :mrgreen: ) and checking the speed i think it is set quite high (1700) and reading around there are mixed reports, some say just set it to low (720 IIRC) as this will cover most roles without bother, and others say 'just change the belt as needed'.

I was playing around this afternoon with forstner bits (aldi ones, seem decent for the price) and got a bit of wood burning around the edge, so i suspect the speed is too quick.

Now as a lazy sod, i would prefer to set and forget, so anyone recommend what the best action would be and if i do setit to low speed, what advantages/disadvantages it would bring.

A-4 280
C-4 620
C-2 1550
B-4 450
A-2 720
B-1 1700
A-3 540
B-3 870
C-1 2350

Usage is wood only an i will be using forstner and general hole making.

also i have followed the instructions on how to change the belts, the rear one (motor) is fine, but the front belt is too tight to move. anyone got any tips.

ta (hammer)

Spindle · 25 Jan 2014

Hi

Learn to change the speeds - the smaller the drill the faster the speed needs to be, unfortunately 'one size does not fit all'.

The burning you experienced from the forstner bits is more likely down to them not being sharp. Try having a look at the cutting edges under a magnifying glass to see what I mean.

Regards Mick

CHJ · 25 Jan 2014

Don't know which machine you have but does the intermediate pulley set not swing and/or have a clamping bolt securing it?

This is a good chart ( PDF.)

RogerP · 25 Jan 2014

The reason these machines have a range of speeds is because you need them.

I'm afraid you are just going to have to learn to use them.

tool-me-up · 25 Jan 2014

If it really annoys you that much get a 3-phase motor with a control unit - you can then change speed with a couple of buttons - I can on mine and its pretty cool - other then when i put it in reverse ( I dont actually know how to put it in reverse forward modes and it usually mean tens minutes of swearing and random button pressing until it goes forwards again.)