Problem with the step pulley coming loose on my trusty old drill press.....help?

jonnymac44

jonnymac44

Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
7,680
Hey all,
This is my old Atlas floor model drill press from Kalamazoo, Michigan complete with a 1750 rpm 1/3hp Packard motor......yes, I said Packard motor!!:D

It's been running great for years since I got it quite some time back with no problems but the last couple of days the front step pulley has been inching it's way up the spindle and running into the pulley guard. (the guard is removed in the photos). You can see the keyed top of the spindle protruding above the pulley in pic #2, and in pic #3 you can see how far up the pulley is moving after drilling just a few holes. A few taps with a dead blow hammer and it's back down, but I figured something must be wrong for it to start inching it's way up after all this time. Any ideas? Are these just press fit onto the column? I'm not really excited about having to whack the pulley back down after every few holes......

What do you guys think?

Drillpressproblem001.jpg


Drillpressproblem004.jpg


Drillpressproblem005.jpg


Drillpressproblem007.jpg
 
sorry for asking this... but have you looked for a set screw?? I'm not at all familiar with the model but it appears really well built, I would suggest maybe some loctite on the spindle or install a set screw at the first pulley..
 
Yeah, Rob...can't find a spot where a set screw may have come out. I did look for one. I believe this press to be close to fifty years old or more and it's hard to find an manuals for it. I'll have to look to see if I can put one in somewhere....
 
If you do not have a set screw on that pulley you can install one.

Or you can try getting some "Green" Locktite. The wicking kind and apply it at the spindle/pully interface. Let it wick in as much as possible and let dry over night.

The green locktite just might do the trick.

Taking a second look at it. You might just be able to make a collar for the top of the spindle and lock that on the spindle to hold the pulley down.
 
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Thanks guys! I decided there had to be a set screw there somewhere!! I just couldn't imagine what else would have been used to hold it on. I just went back out to the shop with a fresh perspective and looked again, found the hole where the itty bitty set screw must have been shaken loose:) Should be an easy fix and my trusty old hunk of iron is back in business. I love this old workhorse!

Appreciate you guys taking the time to offer help!
 
I believe that the bearings are press fit into the spindle

the green Loctite is

loctite 640 sleeve compound


Be sure everything is straight - that the belt is running straight from one pulley to the other.
 
Check that the motor is on tight would be my only guess if there is no set screw. Good luck!


LOL! Edited after you posted.
 
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Thanks numbers and Carl, got it figured out. I had never taken this old beast apart before, but found a little set screw. The screw was still in it's spot but must have loosened just enough to allow vibration to push the pulley up. Gave it a quarter turn and have been drilling for a bit now, everything is still in place.:thumbup:
 
Locktite the set screw. Once it comes loose it will do so again. Blue locktite will do the job.
 
This is a invaluable place for the old atlas stuff, http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=51&tab=4

Ive got an old atlas 14" bandsaw that I picked up for $50, works great for wood stuff and I have heard if you step up the motor, add some pulleys for speed change, and install roller guides it works great for some metal as well. Anyways if you ever have any other questions on it that forum is the place to go IMHO
 
jonnymac44 said:
Thanks numbers and Carl, got it figured out. I had never taken this old beast apart before, but found a little set screw. The screw was still in it's spot but must have loosened just enough to allow vibration to push the pulley up. Gave it a quarter turn and have been drilling for a bit now, everything is still in place.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

sweet !!! if its been working all these years with no probs it shouldn't need anything, however down the road it becomes an issue loctite that badboy..

my guess is it wont come loose...
 
Thanks, I'll check that place out!

quint said:
This is a invaluable place for the old atlas stuff, http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=51&tab=4

Ive got an old atlas 14" bandsaw that I picked up for $50, works great for wood stuff and I have heard if you step up the motor, add some pulleys for speed change, and install roller guides it works great for some metal as well. Anyways if you ever have any other questions on it that forum is the place to go IMHO
Click to expand...
 
If you look closely at your first picture, you can actually see where the set screw is located. Second step from the top. ;)
 
I believe some had a square pin between the motor shaft and the pulley,
some time it will be loose and off, try to see if the hole of the pulley had a square notch,
if yes you might need to make a new pin.

Richard
 
Jonny.
Another site for old machines is:
http://www.owwm.org/

Its mainly for woodworking machinery, but drill presses and bandsaws are used by both wood and metal workers. That site helped me with my old craftsman drill press. By the way I am not sure I have said this to you before, but I really like your knives.
Dan
 
Johhny,

I was sure your problem was with the Packard Motor. Should have been a Straight flathead 8 cyl. I believe.:rolleyes:
Anyway glad you found the problem and she's back up and running.
jonnymac44 said:
Hey all,
This is my old Atlas floor model drill press from Kalamazoo, Michigan complete with a 1750 rpm 1/3hp Packard motor......yes, I said Packard motor!!:D

It's been running great for years since I got it quite some time back with no problems but the last couple of days the front step pulley has been inching it's way up the spindle and running into the pulley guard. (the guard is removed in the photos). You can see the keyed top of the spindle protruding above the pulley in pic #2, and in pic #3 you can see how far up the pulley is moving after drilling just a few holes. A few taps with a dead blow hammer and it's back down, but I figured something must be wrong for it to start inching it's way up after all this time. Any ideas? Are these just press fit onto the column? I'm not really excited about having to whack the pulley back down after every few holes......

What do you guys think?

Drillpressproblem001.jpg


Drillpressproblem004.jpg


Drillpressproblem005.jpg


Drillpressproblem007.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Using a ctr punch take the key and peen a string of 'dots" the length and tap it back in. Just fatten up the key a little. I have an old Milwaukee that looks just that one. Great old drill presses. ( I dropped mine over the back of my pickup truck in a Ca intersection and it still runs great...boy was that embarrassing. Some guys jumped out and helped me put it back in the trucK:confused:)
 
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