Meddings drill, useful info & more questions

[Woodmonkey]

So it appears that I've got lucky. The engineering workshop next door to mine are moving out and having a cull of some of their old machinery, I have been promised a nice old meddings pillar drill. Its 3 phase, so I will either need to put a 240 motor in it or get an inverter, looking at costs a 1/2hp rated inverter costs around the same as a new motor, what are the pros & cons of doing either?

 

[marcros]

The inverter will give you variable speed. I would go for that.

 

[CHJ]

I would always go for the invertor and leave the machine alone.
Variable speed combined with belt positions for torque adjustment is a bonus.
Changing motors invariably leads you into frame size adjustments, spindle size/pulley bore conflicts that may be unwanted complications.

 

[Doug B]

I went for the inverter as I linked it to a remote station that not only gave variable speed but forward, reverse, stop & start.
Wrote about it hear meddings-pillar-drill-t85697.html

 

[Woodmonkey]

Looks great Doug nice job. Where did you get the plastic knobs you turned for the handles, the one I've been promised is missing all 3

 

[woodpig]

Have a look here, you may well be able to run your drill off single phase with a capacitor.

running-3-phase-motor-off-single-phase-y-or-delta-t85608.html

A cheap alternative for ball handles are old golf balls.

 

[Woodmonkey]

My electrical knowledge is zero, so not sure about adding capacitors what exactly does that involve?

 

[woodpig]

My electrical knowledge is zero, so not sure about adding capacitors what exactly does that involve?

Me too.

The first thing you need to do is inspect the motor plate and see if the wiring can be changed from Star to Delta.
This involves moving three wires in the terminal box but have another look at the link it has all the info you need with the other links in it.

 

[Doug B]

Looks great Doug nice job. Where did you get the plastic knobs you turned for the handles, the one I've been promised is missing all 3

Thanks,

It's Oilon rod & if memory serves it was from Direct plastics
http://www.directplastics.co.uk/oilon-rod

 

[Woodmonkey]

Here is the old girl, a bit grubby

And after a scrub to remove a few years worth of grime

Anyone care to guess the age? The badge on the front says Meddings pacera, and above the serial number says MF2

 

[marcros]

my driltru MK2 has a similar top cover, so i would guess 1960-1979. but it is a guess.

 

[Bigbud78]

Very nice, Very jealous

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Mine has a top similar - mine belonged to a firm that ceased trading in 1961. I think if you ring Meddings with the serial number they will date it for you. iirc.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I think if you ring Meddings with the serial number they will date it for you. iirc.

Indeed they will, and quickly, too. I rang with mine and the guy was able to tell me within about 10 seconds that it was 1964. I think he must have a list taped to his screen.

They are wonderful machines, I'm really enjoying having mine back up and running. Lulu is beautiful.

S

 

[Woodmonkey]

1973… just 2 years older than me!

 

[marcros]

1973… just 2 years older than me!

looks like i win then. shall I PM you my address to send it to?

 

[Woodmonkey]

Sure, if you wire me £800 that should cover the postage

 

[marcros]

:mrgreen:

 

[shed9]

Cool drill.

One thing to note if you go the inverter route, make sure there isn't an RCD in line with the electrical wiring via the distribution board. Inverters will trip an RCD due to the way they work. Not a biggy but worth knowing as it will stop you scratching your head for hours on end (ask me how I know).

 

[heimlaga]

I like it!
I hope you get many years of good service from it.