First Prillar Drill - What to check for when buying?

[Dissolve]

Hello,

I'm collecting a Record Power pillar drill that I purchased as an eBay bargain, I'm collecting it this weekend, but I have little experience with them, what should I check/look out for when giving it a once over before handing over any cash?

It was described as great condition and "complete" but I want to see if working and give it a look over obviously.

Thanks

 

[Spindle]

Hi

RP pillar drills are pretty sound, things to do:

Extend the quill as far as it will go and try and move the chuck sideways / forwards and backwards, there should not be any play.
Put a good straight drill in the chuck, turn on the drill at slowest speed and watch the end of the drill, it should not wander as it rotates.
Run up through the speeds and listen, there should be no grinding, rattling, knocking noises.
Have a good look over for general condition, look for cracks in castings, smooth operation of the quill, lack of dings dents etc.
Take an engineering square with you to check that the axis of the quill is perpendicular to the base and table.
Have a look at the electrics for chaffed cables, loose fittings etc.

Regards Mick

 

[MARK.B.]

+1 for all the above, you might want to check the chuck is in good condition and that the key is with it.

 

[Dissolve]

Hi

RP pillar drills are pretty sound, things to do:

Extend the quill as far as it will go and try and move the chuck sideways / forwards and backwards, there should not be any play.
Put a good straight drill in the chuck, turn on the drill at slowest speed and watch the end of the drill, it should not wander as it rotates.
Run up through the speeds and listen, there should be no grinding, rattling, knocking noises.
Have a good look over for general condition, look for cracks in castings, smooth operation of the quill, lack of dings dents etc.
Take an engineering square with you to check that the axis of the quill is perpendicular to the base and table.
Have a look at the electrics for chaffed cables, loose fittings etc.

Regards Mick

Thanks Mick! How do I go about extending thew quill?

I'm taking a 4-in-1 chuck key as I have a funny feeling his idea of complete may be slightly less than mine haha. I might be paranoid but I definitely don't want to be landed with a dud.

I know how to check the belts/motor, noise etc. But the quill I have no idea about yet.

Thanks

 

[JakeS]

The quill is the part that allows the chuck to travel up and down - simply wind the drill down to its lowest position, usually via a three-bars-with-knobs-on arrangement or a wheel on the right-hand side of the head.

 

[Dissolve]

The quill is the part that allows the chuck to travel up and down - simply wind the drill down to its lowest position, usually via a three-bars-with-knobs-on arrangement or a wheel on the right-hand side of the head.

haha sorry! That was extrmeely stupid of me, I thought it was implied that I should remove the quill/adjust it's position in the machine. That's great I'm happy I know what I'm doing now enough to make a good judgement!