Fobco Star pillar drill restoration: Part 1 - Disassembly

[@engjds]

Maybe I am weak, but it took my ages just to move this into location, it must weigh 60kg! But this drill is a thing of beauty to behold, no new drill has the same build nor looks, even your wife will be impressed with how this girl looks.

[@house89147]

Thanks you just saved me hours and not breaking anything while dismantling mine

[@geckotamer13129]

I'm really pleased you found it helpful! I only broke couple of things luckily ;) Good luck with the restoration, let me know how it goes.

[@DavidMosby-e5o]

Am just starting disassembly now, as I would like to replace the bearings. Is it possible to do this without removing the motor? So far I have just taken the pulleys off.

[@Tempest500]

Very useful watching this, as just about to overhaul my F*, so am looking forward to doing it even more now.I have to say though you made me cringe a few times. Levering things off with screwdrivers, banging with hard face hammer etc. Your drill I know, but I'd hate for you to damage something and make extra work for yourself.

[@geckotamer13129]

I know! my issue was i was so excited to get to work on it and i couldn't be arsed to go out and buy the popper tool for the job. I was lucky enough to get away with it this time!

[@davidgavin6673]

My son has just inherited an old Fobco pillar drill and we need to get it home to the garage. We are struggling to get it apart and just wondered if we are missing something. We undid the handle to lift the whole top part from the pillar and it came down a little but we just cannnot push it back up to get it off. Do we just need to use sandpaper, lubricant and perseverance or is there any other mechanism we should be aware of. As you can tell I have inherited none of my father’s Mechanical ability and am a complete novice. Any tips on moving it would be really appreciated. Thank you

[@geckotamer13129]

hmmm I'm not sure. As far as I can remember it is just that one lever that keeps the head in place. The fact that it dropped down when you loosened it seems to back that up. Is there a lot of corrosion/rust on the pillar? If so cleaning it up and lubricating it couldn't hurt. The other thing is the head itself weighs a lot so you might have an easier time if you get it on its side and then you could try using a soft faced hammer ( or a regular hammer and a piece of wood) to try and work it off. might also be worth taking he height adjustment handle off completely. Sorry I don't have the answer I tend to just try everything and hope I make things better and not worse!

[@davidgavin6673]

@@geckotamer13129 Many thanks for your reply. We will let you know how we get on!

[@davidgavin6673]

As you suggested we tipped the drill on its side, removed the rust and sprayed on penetrating fluid. A hammer didn't seem to move it much but, with one of us twisting the drill and motor while the other sat on the pillar with our feet beneath the motor and the drill and pushing it up, it slowly moved. It was very slow at first but once it got going it speeded up. However, it must have taken us about an hour and required a lot of effort. We've moved it to its new location but will ensure the pillar is cleaned and greased before putting it together again. Thanks again for your help.

[@bobcharlie7982]

Anyone know the bearing reference numbers?

[@fpreston9527]

Could do with some soft drifts .

[@geckotamer13129]

definitely! that was one of my lesson learned during this project.

[@magnu4205]

ive just got a fobco star 3ph type with long mt1 spindle,and the bearings sounds rough is there any part numbers on the bearings, can you still get the bearings for these drills im asking first before i strip mine down, dont want to strip it down and finding out that i cant get bearings thanks

[@nutgone100]

You can pretty much get any bearings, it depends if you have the early model or later, as they’ll be different sizes. Don’t rely on bearing numbers on old bearings though, as some have changed over the years. These will probably be imperial ones, but likely still available. Measure internal, then external diameters followed by the width (thickness) & put those figures into a search, you’ll find them. The lower bearings on these are angular contact, so make sure to replace with the same, not just regular ones.

[@nutgone100]

If you’re in the UK try calling a company called Vintage Bearings (or the vintage bearing company, I forget which now). Read the numbers off to him & he’ll know exactly what it is & get you a good replacement at a fair price. I restore lots of vintage stuff & he’s invaluable.

[@magnu4205]

thanks for that i am from the uk, ive googled the name and i will send vintage bearings company a email.. do you know how many it will have