Fobco Star Drill

[RickyBlue]

Hi,
I have acquired a Fobco Star of unknown age (The rating plate was missing)
It looks like it's been well used and I intend to carry out a restoration.
An initial trial revealed some play when drilling.
When gripping the chuck this play can be felt and it increases as the quill is extended.
Is this likely to be bearings, or is it possibly wear between the quill and the cast body ? Would the latter mean that it was not restorable ?
I have little to no experience with drill presses so any advice would be helpful.
Thanks.

 

[sawtooth-9]

The problem you describe, sounds like wear between the quill and the cast body.
On quality machines there is usually an adjustment which can compensate for this wear. I am not familiar with Fobco Star, so a photo of the front of the machine would help.
If there is no adjustment, it can still be restored but a little more involved depending on the amount of slop. The first step would be to determine whether the cast body is worn or the quill - I suspect it would be the cast body.

 

[Graculus]

I have a Fobco Star, replacing the bearings corrected the problem you have and I had, the correct bearing is 7202BEP, get SKF if you can, don't bother with 'specialist' suppliers, just go to a local engineering supplier - about 1/3 of the price.
They're taper bearings so you need to get the preload right, also, don't over-grease, you'll only end up having to strip & reassemble once the excess has been forced out.

 

[RickyBlue]

The problem you describe, sounds like wear between the quill and the cast body.
On quality machines there is usually an adjustment which can compensate for this wear. I am not familiar with Fobco Star, so a photo of the front of the machine would help.
If there is no adjustment, it can still be restored but a little more involved depending on the amount of slop. The first step would be to determine whether the cast body is worn or the quill - I suspect it would be the cast body.

Thank you for your reply. Is there an easy way to determine what is worn in a home workshop ?
I've attached a picture of the front of the machine.

I have a Fobco Star, replacing the bearings corrected the problem you have and I had, the correct bearing is 7202BEP, get SKF if you can, don't bother with 'specialist' suppliers, just go to a local engineering supplier - about 1/3 of the price.
They're taper bearings so you need to get the preload right, also, don't over-grease, you'll only end up having to strip & reassemble once the excess has been forced out.

Hi Thank you for your reply.
Did you change the bearings at the top as well as those within the quill ?

 

[RickyBlue]

I have a Fobco Star, replacing the bearings corrected the problem you have and I had, the correct bearing is 7202BEP, get SKF if you can, don't bother with 'specialist' suppliers, just go to a local engineering supplier - about 1/3 of the price.
They're taper bearings so you need to get the preload right, also, don't over-grease, you'll only end up having to strip & reassemble once the excess has been forced out.

Thank you for your reply. Did you change the 'top' bearings as well as those within the quill ?
And what approx would you suggest I should be paying for the bearings that you recommend.
Thanks again.

 

[sawtooth-9]

Thank you for your reply. Is there an easy way to determine what is worn in a home workshop ?
I've attached a picture of the front of the machine.

Hi Thank you for your reply.
Did you change the bearings at the top as well as those within the quill ?

If you suspect the bearings are ok and pre load ok, then remove quill - measure top and bottom - do likewise for the cast body. You should easily see which may be worn