Drill press adjustment

[Dave Bagwill]

I've been using a shop fox benchtop drill press, it works okay. Not a real sophisticated piece of equipment, but until now it has done what I have asked of it.

But now the fact that the up and down travel of the table is done without the benefit of any gears IS a problem. See pic of a different make but same principle.

Is it possible to replace my table with one that is able to be adjusted more accurately?

[Bob Matthews]

The only way I can see apart from buying a new drill, would be to use some kind of threaded rod jacking arrangement from underneath the table.
You could epoxy a nut into a block of wood and then epoxy a large turning wheel onto a threaded bar - adjust for height and then clamp the table.

I take it you are wanting to use the drill press as a thicknesser with the Safety planer attachment?


Bob

[ken cierp]

I have not thought it all the way through (one cup of coffee so far) but it would seem you could make a reel (crank) out of a bolt and attach some picture hanging cable/wire to drill press table -- that would give you pretty good control at least in the up direction.

[Dave Bagwill]

Bob and Ken - thanks, yes I do want to use the safe-t-planer and a sanding disk.

I haven't had ANY coffee yet this morning, so I'll keep thinking about it a bit.

Thanks again
Dave

[Tim Benware]

Here's an idea to get you thinking. It may be along the lines of what Ken was talking about:

http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/easyriser.htm

[Dave Bagwill]

Cool! I'll read that over, Tim.

[Tim Benware]

This is actually a pretty cool problem that has got me thinking. What about a modified worm gear drive? Not sure if you could find one suitable to fit this application.