Fobco Star/Universal bench drill - return spring tension?

[Dissolve]

Hello there!

One just been to look at a fobco star pillar drill which I'm thinking of purchasing, the only thing that's stopping me is a query regarding the tension of the return spring!

On the drill I have just been to view, the handle returned
on its own but it didn't feel very strong, I'm just wondering if it's possible to increase the tension on the spring that's in there?

Can anyone tell me if their fobco bench drill spring is particularly strong or if I'm maybe just expecting it to be something it's not?

If they're like that on all the old fobco's I think I'll be buying tomorrow!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I can't give you the link, but they can be bought on Evil Bay.

 

[Dissolve]

I can't give you the link, but they can be bought on Evil Bay.

Thanks, Ive seen them for sale but at £47 I don't really want to add this onto the cost of the drill. It works, but I'm just wondering if they're meant to be quite firm/strong/tight (insert correct term here)?

Should there be quite a lot of "pull" on the handle? Is this adjustable at all on the Fobco's?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Here's one - "12" drill press feed return coil spring assembly" £5.05 inc p&p.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I don't know about that particular model, but on most DPs the spring can be adjusted simply by removing (carefully!) the spring cover and winding it in or out a turn or two.
S

 

[wizard]

It sounds to me that its adjusted just right.

 

[fluffflinger]

Regardless of the cost of replacement assuming you can't adjust just buy it, please.

They are a fantastic drill, still be drilling holes (accurately) when you and I are in our own hole .

I love mine, just a pleasure to use a bit of kit built up to a spec not down to a price.

 

[misterfish]

I had the same problem with my 'Star' when I first got it and after quite a lot of searching found adjusting the tension was straightforward.

Basically removing the spring housing cover. Holding the sring housing tightly in place (I used a pair of waterpump pliers). Loosening the grub screw that holds the housing (beneath the housing in the body of the drill - it just looks like a hole but contains a grub screw that uses an allen key). Rotating the housing to tighten the spring to give the required tension. Tighten the grub screw and replace the cover.

If I needed to replace the spring I'd look at getting one from Amazon - they have a variety of sizes and as they are cheap would take a chance on one that looksike it would fit.

Misterfish

 

[Dissolve]

Thanks! I'm set on getting one unless an old bench meddings comes along that has a larger throat depth maybe. With the fobco, does the fixed chuck version man that the Chuck cannot be replaced at all? Or does it just mean that the end of the spindle has a taper that the chuck fits onto?

Thanks

 

[Steve Maskery]

Dunno, but the chuck must be a replaceable part, somehow or other.
S

 

[flh801978]

On a fixed chuck fobco you undo a screwed collar which pushes off the chuck which has IIRC a jt6 taper hole in it
you can find chucks with this fitting easily

Ian