Drill Press Repair: Tension Lever

[@bn2real]

Your style of videography is probably the best I’ve seen on KZbin for this genre👏👏👏 Not too fast, not too slow, no rambling but no detail skipped, extremely clear camera angles, and a little bit of a story to sew it all together. Welding tips and tricks channel has a similar style and he’s one of my favorites. Keep up the good work👍👍

[@shaunhill2466]

Thank you, this solved my problem. Exactly the same issue, I was confident enough to follow your instructions on a different brand machine from 1981 and it still worked.

[@kurtBick]

The retaining ring story was absolutely hilarious 🤣 nicely done.

[@BudgieBedlam]

Thank you, thank you! I was able to figure out what was wrong with the press I inherited and fix it thanks to your video!

[@gfd635]

Just wanted to say thank you. My, new to me, drill press adjuster was seized and you really helped me to understand and then fix it 😁

[@Bowlingpba]

Thank you for the video ! I was able to figure out an Issue with my press by watching this. The lock down on the motor was loose and It was unstable. Tightened the belt and locked the motor down. :)

[@scottgm321]

Thank you. We have an old Chin CH-30 that hasn't been used in 20 years because no one knew how to adjust the belts. The sliding rods were frozen with rust. A lot of PB Blaster and using a big screw driver between the motor plate and the frame, got it free. Thank you so much.

[@oby-1607]

Fred, you are a lifesaver. I fought some holes today when drilling some simple 1/4 inch strapping. Nobody told me nothing when I bought the drill press. Now I know how to tighten the belt and what to look for. Thanks for sharing.

[@EPaulIII]

Many manufacturers have on line manuals that will explain the features and how to use them.

[@TheHappyDIYGuy-ri8nb]

Thanks, Fred, I was able to adjust my new drill without reading direction!

[@DireWolfForge]

I had the same exact issue with my Craftsman. I used a quarter to cover the motor pulley hole when I pulled the pulley. Thanks for the video!

[@TheOnespeedbiker]

You saved me a lot of work when I noticed in your video the pulley nut is reverse thread; something l did not hear you explain, but I saw it nonetheless. My press is Rigid R1500 and I had a heck of a time trying to release the tension on the belts. It turned out Rigid spec's d the belts too small so they were forced on with no adjustment possible. Unfortunately I did not realize this until I had forced the tensioning arm until it "stripped out", or at least felt like it did. After talking the top off as you showed, it turned out the cam has simply been slide inward when I forced it; same symptom, different cause. All I had to do is loosen the cam bolt and slide it back into the notch in the motor adjustment bar and the problem was fixed. Of course you can also tighten the belts like those in a vehicle, that being with a pry bar, but I really wanted to see what damage I had done and if I could fix it.

[@reonmason3432]

Thank you so much, I've been scratching my head as to undoing the front bolt on the pulley and now realise its a left hand thread. The gravity function of the idler pulley seating.had me wondering as well. An excellent production for the uninformed.

[@swampwizard]

Thanks, I couldn' figure out how to get into the drill press head to repair my speed adjusment lever. You answerd what I needed to know and what I needed to do. Great information, much appreciated.

[@foxwood67]

Kinda late for me but I had similar issues. For me it wasn’t the circlip it was the bolt had come loose from shifter and wouldn’t engage the shaft. Pretty easy to figure out and applied some loctite to bolt . Also gave me a chance to clean and lube internals. You have a good calm demeanor and explained it well. When working on machinery calm,slow, and easy are the keys to successful diagnosis and repair.

[@improziv]

Exactly the information I need. My Rigid 15” drill press has a similar problem. I’ll see if I can repeat your process. The part I’m most worried about is dealing with the spindle pulley.

[@jn2800]

Thank you very much. Although I was dealing with a different problem, my manual has absolutely NOTHING on how the main pulley is removed. Once I saw your video, I had the answer to my question. Good job.

[@ianbeckett2427]

Thanks for this video. You are a life saver. I've been struggling with this exact problem. Off to the workshop to see if I can fix it now.

[@mattdobson230]

Nice vid! Good to see the inner workings. also ----------> you can measure the nut with calipers to figure out the size (might save some time and money in the future)

[@onemanswork9248]

Thank you so much, my drill press is having a issue with the tension lever as well. You gave me the right information at the right time. :)

[@adeh503]

Thanks so much for posting this brother, I was just about to go and buy some new belts 🙏🙏

[@stevenalmond4180]

Thanks heaps for making this video. This is super helpful for repairing and maintaining my machine.

[@davidjesse8689]

Thanks for sharing. You sound so fatherly... I learned a lot from this video.

[@ianrhinehart]

Nice video helped me out in diagnosing my drill press. Any idea what that black part is called that moves the motor in and out for tension on the belts. 5:30 has a good picture of what part I am referring to.

[@madmike_9343]

Great video, I just picked up a Harbor Freight 10in drill press I wonder if I can add that set up

[@warewolf2304]

Fred..you’re a good man.

[@spritzer99]

Thank you so much for this video! Helped my out so much!

[@NathanaelCBR]

That was very useful thank you I clearly had no idea how to operate a drill press - mine has been struggling since I shifted the belts and I hadn't touched the lever or bolts on the side, just manipulated the belts with my fingers. I'll go fix it now so the tension is right.

[@joedance14]

Your videos are always informative and pleasing to watch - and so on-point! Thank-you! Acquired an old drill press almost identical to the Cummins in this video. It is a 13”, 16 speed by Northern Industrial Tools, which was the “store brand” of Northern Tools until about 2002. It had some rust but seemed to run fine. However, the tension lever would not move. Now it moves freely, but the two horizontal bars and motor do not move. Tension lock knobs have been loosened. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

[@mccallan2798]

Thanks for really nice video. Regarding the size of the nut on the spindle, I've found that using a vernier first up saves a lot of running around.

[@Woodtoolsworkshop]

Yes, I wish I'd had one that would fit, but the jaws on mine were too wide to fit between the nut and the surrounding material.

[@Stevesmith-yw7cr]

On my Rigid Tool drill press, the nut that holds on the large gears is 32mm. I am working on replacing the lame belt tightening handle with a better system usung bolts and nuts to push the motor away to tighten the belts. The little handle does not give enough force to get the belts tight enough.

[@hubertbusch8674]

Un gran OK por su video. Muy instructivo para mi que me estoy iniciando en el tema. Muchas gracias y saludos desde Chile...

[@aminbakali1581]

Thank you for taking the time to share your skills with us mortals. It was jus the information I was looking for. Keep up the good work.

[@Woodtoolsworkshop]

My pleasure, Amin. I'm always happy to hear that a viewer benefitted from my video.

[@ronbianca1975]

Good Video! What is the make of the 1st. motor (al.cover) did it come with a mounting bracket or did you make it?

[@Goldwing1500rider]

Now I know what looks like inside!! Thank you for sharing. Should pull out the sliders and clean them while at it. 👍 yes more work but be done with. 😊

[@markkoons7488]

This is exactly the problem I have and have been afraid to tear into the driver train to be able to remove the tin to see what's inside. Thank you. Also, while I'm sure you're correct in referring to those flat spring rings as retaining rings, the local idiom where I grew up called them "snap rings".

[@JimWhitaker]

"Circlips" round here.

[@sundeshbalraj]

Nice methodical way to solve your problems

[@MichaelWVagg]

Great video - very helpful, thank you, sir.

[@timreid5430]

You answered my question within the first 30 seconds! My belts are tight again

[@rogeryoung464]

This video is a great help to me! Thank you so much!!!

[@jackle3002]

thanks! completely forgot about this motor adjustment.. was about to Macgyver together some sort of an idler pulley... :s

[@giorgioclavelli1757]

Very well explained. Liked and Subscribed as you deserved.

[@petchpaitoon]

You demo task has a lot of detail, Thank you

[@69george88]

Really great video... many thanks... This kind of drill press has got a really bad tension mechanism by the way...

[@fernandochavez4312]

Thank you for this. Had a similar issue with a Ryobi.

[@activate43]

hello there, subscriber here...the chuck/the whole shaft stops but the belts and wheels are turning, whats wrong?

[@Hefty54]

Did I miss something what size socket did he finally get to fit? Metric or Sae

[@melvis2017]

Thanks for that great video appreciations for sharing with us this 🇩🇰👍

[@basselturky4027]

how does the spindle move up and down while rotating but the pulley rotates only, I mean how are they connected together and what keeps the pulley in place not moving up and down with the spindle?

[@josecendejas242]

What socket size is he using to remove the nut

[@user-le5vh3gl4v]

My spindle nut was 1 1/4in. Reverse threaded. Can carefully use two wrenches to pry the pulley up and save a trip to the store.

[@janodi1155]

I have a Jet JDP17DX with the same sized nut (1 1/4 in) and it's reverse threaded as well. I put my biggest .Allen wrench in the chuck to have something to pull against while I loosened the nut.

[@johnwilliams2877]

Why didnt you clean and lubricate the shafts whilst the tensioner was out.???

[@AlexeiPavlov]

@3:00 So what was the socket size? 23mm? Also, how did you install the pulley that you removed with pulley puller? Does the nut does the job or you pressed it somehow?

[@Woodtoolsworkshop]

32mm. The shaft and hole in the pulley are both slightly tapered, so putting it back was just a matter of tightening the nut.

[@paulcorbeil4364]

Hi mister, very good job, slowly but surely, Bravo 2019 12 21 Trois-Rives, Saint-Joseph de Mékinac, Québec et Labrador.

[@MrChriskep1]

My middle pulley does not have that lock lever. It is tight and i cant figure out how to loosen it. the motor tensioner is there. Any ideas?

[@rona1144]

Thank you for making this video. I can fix mine now.

[@rona1144]

The previous owner hyper extended the motor slide and it came out of place. Your video helped me make a quick and easy repair. Thanks!

[@MoosesWorkshop]

Great info! Never took a drill press appart before.

[@Woodtoolsworkshop]

Me, either. I can't say that anymore now. :)

[@mlb6d9]

Nice and clear, Thank You!

[@martingalvez503]

Thank you for your comenta 👍🇲🇽

[@GS-jp1gu]

Left hand thread, doh! Thanks for the video mate.

[@gensyed]

The nut of the spindle pulley of mine oddly enough is right handed. Thinking it was left handed, I spent almost an hour trying to unscrew it, but I decided to go CCW for right handed, and it unscrewed!

[@aryrobmedina]

I like your story. O and vid helped out good thx

[@chrisseaman6170]

Great video mate do you know where I can find a copy of the manual for this drill press? I have the same one just branded as workcraft. Thanks

[@VanNguyen-nn7vi]

Thank you, now I can use it again

[@TJSWOODWORKINGSHOP]

Very good information my brother very nice video to :)

[@Woodtoolsworkshop]

Thank you, TJ!

[@stevereich6012]

How did you hold the third pulley still so that you could loosen the 32mm nut? I have the same problem. I need to get into the housing to repair the cam but can't get any leverage on my 35mm nut. What did you use to keep that pulley from spinning?

[@philipbreau1246]

Try putting a large allen key in the chuck. A pipe will give you extra leverage. It also looks like a left handed thread so be careful not to tighten.

[@johnschackai268]

Where is the information regarding the tension spring? It's not there!!

[@philipbreau1246]

I would like to see more of the pin engaged on the tightener. Either a longer pin or mill the flat a little more and slide the adjuster closer. If you don't have a mill, you could probably grind or file the flat by hand.

[@LynnLaceyLLWW]

Thanks Fred - very informative.

[@Woodtoolsworkshop]

Thank you, Lynn!

[@TimTurner115]

I like the maintenance videos that's cool I learned so much

[@fredsawtelle1833]

Thanks, Tim!

[@mikemorgan5015]

Really needed a shim washer behind the snap ring. It's likely that one of the ears of the snap ring were digging into the paint and grabbing. Still, it should work for a good while.

[@earnie219]

Exact problem with my HF press too. thank you very much.

[@Cherokee10g]

I had this same problem with my Shop Fox 17" Drill Press, but the nice thing about the Shop Fox is that those 4 screws in the bottom of the cover are installed so you can unscrew them without removing the spindle pulley, just remove the 4 screws, lift out the center pulley and the belts, then in a lift & turning motion twist the whole cover to the side, and you are in, I also changed the Quill Spring, you know that spring that causes the spindle to return, both of these repairs are quit easy even if you have never done them before. My 20" HF is doing great it's a beast!

[@earnie219]

@@Cherokee10g I'll keep those instruction in mind when I peak at it tomorrow. I knew I just had to find the right video.....LOL

[@brandonh.8882]

Thanks for your help!

[@mcozpda3392]

great video .. cheers

[@silvestreperez4758]

Thanks..very useful...!!!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Good video Fred! thanks for sharing it.😎👍JP

[@Woodtoolsworkshop]

Thanks, JP! My pleasure.

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

😎

[@mt.sinairefuge3208]

I want to buy any tool I can. even if I never use it.

[@MrWilggins]

Thank from mexico

[@jeffreyhowll1392]

I would have put a nylon or fiber washer between the lock-ring and the housing to take up the play and a drop of thread locker on the retaining bolt for the cam. Other than that, good job!

[@donniepoole595]

Do remember what size belts they are?

[@JulioSang]

Thanks a lot

[@Eric-AC]

I can't get the nut on my pulley off. It's just not budging

[@ssbnman1630]

Timely video, I have a similar issue.

[@johnbravo7542]

Yep,good info,all the best :-)

[@EPaulIII]

Those sliding pins looked dry as a bone. I would have put a little grease on them while I had the cover off.

[@wryanddry2266]

Next time use a caliper to measure a nut and many other things. Three dollars for a plastic one to measure to 1/128 inch precision, $20 for a nice electronic one that measures to 0.0005" precision.

[@TF856]

You said two lock knobs on either side. I only see one lock knob on each side.😁

[@biglebowski5520]

I'm such a dummy. I thought my belts were stretched. Didn't know there was a tensioner

[@thejoses2898]

0:36

[@cbcarper9681]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@nophysicist700]

If you put a sleeve over the shaft on both sides of the cam, you would not need the clip at all. No clip groove or clip needed. Just saying.

[@vostok6984]

I liked your video. Thank you. Like and subscribe. Good luck.

[@notgotaname]

That’s such a great story about buying the circlip and pliers, next time I’m gonna take my broken piece into the hardware store, buy a new part and then use their tools off the shelf.

[@k.c.meaders4796]

Is the pulley nut left handed thread? Great video by the way. now all I have to do it get that d.... nut off.

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

Kind of makes you wish you had looked earlier doesn't it?...lol.

[@Woodtoolsworkshop]

What, that it was that easy? Or that it was the keeper and not the cam? Either way, it wasn't that big a deal. If I'm loosening the belts, it's because I'm about to have my hands up in there shifting them around, so squeezing was actually easier than using the lever. And the screwdriver was just an extra one taking up space, so I kept it there handy at the drill press. If you mean the problem being the keeper and not something in the head, I would have been up in there anyway. I was going to take the lever out regardless.

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

More along the line of (and I have been there too) that it was just such a piddly easy fix, but you didn't know it until you actually tore into it. Instead, figuring out a work around. I like my machines to function as designed. I was chuckling when the real problem revealed itself as I have been in that position before too and just shook my head at myself and wondered why I didn't take the time to just look in the first place, instead of assuming something important was broken or bent and needing a lengthy fix. I thought it was a great video.

[@Woodtoolsworkshop]

Yeah, it was a "D'oh!" moment, for sure. :)