ROSA Drill Press Restoration | The Best Italian Made Sensitive Drill Press!

The Italian manufacturer "F.lli Rosa" also known as "Trapani Rosa" made some of the best drill press over the twentieth century. The one I got is the popular RS1, it's a precision drill press, also know as "sensitive" drill press used for precision mechanical work to drill up to 10mm holes. This tool is huge and very heavy (95kg - 210lb) considering the size of holes it was made to drill and the relatively short travel, this makes for a very rigid, stable and precise drill press. While restoring this beauty I was really impressed by the quality of every single component, all parts have a perfect fit with eachother, most of the sliding surfaces are ground or scraped and fortunatly, since it was decently greased over the years, no fasteners where sized at all and it all came apart very nicely.
Over the 50/60 years of his life this tool present a couple of small modification:
I am pretty sure the handle it's not original (since the shaft has threads on the end) and the one I have here looks like a file handle; looking at photos online it looks like the original had a black ball as handle.
Then the switch has been changed at some point since it does not fit the opening on the side and the holding plate (that I remade off camera) was hand cut and poorly made.
Finally the pulley on the spindle is not original since it only has two stages instead of three.
This last difference would have bored me way more if I hadn't planned to use a vdf to drive the three phase 380v motor.
Speaking of the vfd and the motor, you may have noticed I didn't mounted the vfd properly at the end. Reason being the motor tends to get pretty hot (60/70°c) after just a couple of minutes of running over the vfd. I haven't figured out why yet. Voltage and frequency are set correctly and the motor runs at the appropriate speed for the delta connection I used (2200rpm) but it still runs too hot. It might be that this older kind of motor is not isolated well enough for a vfd use. I still have plenty alternatives to make the drill run off this motor like using capacitors or other kind of phase converter before investing into a re-winding or even worst a motor swap. We will see, I'll get around that soon as I really want to use this drill press from now on in my projects!
EDIT:
Earlier this week I fixed the motor-VFD issue. I've looked online for other RS1 drill press and found some with a similar Marelli motor but with wiring diagram in the plaque. Luckily following the manufacturer wiring solved the overheat problem. So the problem was... Me!
Finally, for those that always ask about cost and price:
- Bought the drill press for 150€ and spent at least 50€ for transport (driving and road cost).
- Replacing all ball bearings was cheaper than I expected at 35€ since all bearing are common.
- Paint stripper, hammered paint and hammered solvent came in at around 30€
- VFD bought here blackbeardproject.page.link/VFD for 90€ (yes, affiliate link)
- Hard to quantify consumables but I guess at least 50€
So yeah, not cheap at all at the end but it's worth it for a quality tool like this, it would sell for 500€ easily now, I have no doubt. Of course I would never sell this now, I love it too much!
List of producs used and operations:
I won't bother to explain every single step, too many this time! If you want to know something else you know where to ask.
0:33 Penetrating oil (mix of sintetic motor oil and mineral spirit) to help release stuff
2:16 Was able to get the spring off without unwiding it! That's luck!
4:00 Wire wheel for all the steel parts with surface rust
4:27 New ball bearings everywhere, it took some doing but it's worth it
6:28 Degreaser spray and toothbrush for the hard to reach areas
8:00 Thin oil used on all fasteners and sliding surfaces
8:20 A lot of degreaser once again
9:08 Paint stripper
9:53 Final degreasing with nitro solvant before paint
10:09 Masking with tape
10:40 Spray painting with hammered finish paint, four coats, still the hammered finish was not that good or visible... Nevermind.
Fast and effortless way to clean small parts:
11:44 Degreasing with nitro solvent, 20 min in the ultrasonic cleaner
12:04 Removing rust with rust removal fluid, 20 min in the ultrasonic cleaner again
12:15 A coat of oil and it's done, perfectly clean
15:00 Fine steel wool always leaves a nice finish without removing material, handy for a part like this one
16:51 this part was plasting and fell apart, made a new one,
18:01 Very nice "Metabo Futuro" keyless chuck cleaned again with the ultrasonic cleaner all togheter
Thanks a lot for watching, I hope you liked the video!
Suggestions and comments are welcome.
Leave a like and share to anyone who might be interested!
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[@BlackBeardProjects]

I really hope you enjoy this project! It has been a huge one for me, so if you do enjoy it please leave a like and share, it really helps! I also written a long description with more details about this restoration, all the products used and also some of the relevant operations. Be sure to check that if you want to know more! Finally if you like what I do consider supporting me so I can keep on making. Join as channel member or check my Patreon for early access and voice-over edit of my videos. Thank you!

[@enriquecastillo2466]

Cucú🤠🤠🤠

[@quicksplash851]

Hlo

[@daniele3275]

Black beard projects Why did you use a variable frequency drive Obviously because you have not 400V as me Did you consider to make rotary phase converter ? I studying this because here in Italy as you know three phase is not common in house You can run multiple tools at the same time with VFD are not indicated to run this kind of motors because the armonics and all other stuff that can cause damages to the old insulation applied to the windings

[@BlackBeardProjects]

Yes, that's the reason, no three phase here... I am looking at rotary phase converter! I already have some of the stuff needed to make one, but I have to study a bit more... Be sure there will be a video if I make one! Thank you

[@sonyhk3824]

Thanks for sharing all information

[@skyhound4373]

Yes! Another huge restoration video to watch 100 times!

[@wishyredlol]

Why 100 times dude?

[@MMitchellMarmel]

Nice touch using the drill press to drill the holes for its own scale retainer plate! :D

[@TaistoUuslail]

I adore that kind of restoration level. So that the "old" is still there when you finish. Looks really sturdy machine. Good luck with working on this!

[@bobferranti5222]

What a magnificent tool! There's a reason why tools like this one last hundreds of years, you can see how well built it is.

[@fhaddad3]

my father had one in his shop back home.....this brought back precious memories... thank you for sharing this. great machines built like a tank.... all these new ones don't compare

[@markweiner4430]

Great addition to your workshop, I look forward to seeing it used in your future videos.

[@Madlintelf]

That was fantastic, 20 minutes of my time and countless hours on yours! Thanks for the fantastic restoration, hope you get the heat problem sorted out without replacing that motor too!

[@ulfberth9325]

The Trapani Rosa is certainly a joy to use. A couple of years back I found one advertised and picked it up because I knew what a great piece of precision equipment this is. We had several at the university where I used to work. I believe mine is more recent than yours, but it sure was messier. I have restored a few machines but none as “dirty” as this one. It was covered in chips and dried threading oil. It had obviously not been used in a tool room but abused in a production setting. I had to remove the bulk of the caked oil/chip mixture with hammer and chisel! Dismantled it, changed all bearings, primed it, spayed it with filler, sanded it smooth and painted it in the original shade of gray. It is a gem. The original handle that you lack is a smooth double cone shaped black piece plastic, approx. Ø20 x 60mm.

[@JDLarge]

Fastest restore ever! I want the cafe you’re drinking! Lol As expected, another perfect job well done! Thanks for sharing😉

[@AndrewKleinWW]

Man do you ever know how to make a satisfying video!

[@mm9773]

One of the best looking machines I’ve ever seen. Beautiful.

[@rickpalechuk4411]

Excellent addition to the workshop. Love the old equipment, made from quality materials by people that gave a crap. Thanks for sharing, Cheers

[@jstagzsr]

the pure raw quality of old stuff, mixed with the love and care of new components.. This thing is gonna be smoother than butter next to the microwave!!!!

[@1stummel2]

Sir, you are one of the best. No fancy colours-just the way it should be done. Great stuff.

[@budilov]

Great job, my friend! 👍👏💪 Hello from Russia 🇷🇺

[@gasperajdnik5627]

Hello from Slovenia 🇸🇮

[@amilidis]

Happy to see all my favorite creators commenting on each other!

[@Ant85on]

Ну йок макарек. Интернационал.

[@Rory_Mercury]

За частотник ему отдельный плюс в карму. Хотя, я бы еще посмотрел на биения.

[@namenotavailable11]

This is my kind of restoration. The machine still has character with some dings in the metal. If I'm using a 70 year old machine, I like seeing it's a well loved 70 year old machine.

[@stewartdriver1400]

Beautiful bit of kit , great to see it back in use.🇬🇧👍🏻

[@EladLerner]

Making the last part of the drill with the drill itself was really poetic. Nice!

[@744748]

I recently discovered this channel and I'm now an official BBP addict! 😂 👍

[@alterbratzi5037]

Wonderful work. 👌I love these old machines. They were built to last forever. They take them apart giving them love and care and they walk like new. And they are just beautiful too.

[@fernandoburghi5213]

Top ten of your videos... here in Brazil we love your work! Congrats. Awesome!

[@karikovacs3824]

Great, great work, great, great video. Thank you!

[@stefanoconti4426]

Oustanding job!!! Thank you for letting us enjoy your work!!

[@geraldolmstead1335]

I am glad to see a quality machine being restored by one of the better restorators.

[@justinwilsoncustoms6520]

Absolutely love how that turned out, awesome as usual BB!!

[@evren.builds]

Wow it was in such good condition.Thanks for giving new life to this awesome piece of machinery.

[@PapaGleb]

Another super restore and before I read the video description, I wanted to say that you got one awesome drill press and now after reading it I understand. Great find.

[@vickiefowler1429]

A well-restored piece of machinery is a thing of beauty! Nicely done!

[@Chip70301]

Thank you for the video. Up to the end I could not understand why to leave the old pulleys, but when I saw the frequency converter, everything fell into place. I haven’t seen precision drill chucks for a long time ... nostalgia. Thanks again.

[@mrdavidurquhart]

It's impressive how you restored every part. Loved the restoration of the bolts.

[@howlingwind1937]

Wow you did a beautiful restoration on that bench drill, it's gorgeous! Cheers!

[@PaulMcGuinness]

Molto bene! I do love the design of old Italian engineering. Everything just fits so perfectly.

[@tracybrickey2686]

Awesome video as usual Brother!! That’s a very interesting drill press, I had never heard of s Rosa before. Thank you for sharing your experiences!!

[@arsaeterna4285]

the paint came out SO nice vintage paint had that pearly reflectiveness to it, without a clear coat

[@stewartew]

Great looking job, it seems that it was a high quality piece of equipment, and now has been reborn.

[@Phil26V]

È davvero bello vedere come ridai onore alle macchine e alla storia di un tempo. Gran bel restauro!

[@rippermcguinn]

A very satisfying video of the restoration of a beautiful machine - clear and concise, no irritating music. That's a lovely drill press!

[@ArmySigs]

What a gorgeous peice of industrial design, Italians know how to put style into everything! Great job

[@briansworkshop01]

Fantastic just fantastic thanks for sharing your time and skill 👍👍👍👍👍

[@taunteratwill1787]

That old drillpress is a piece of art! I've got an nice modern drillpress and would trade it in a second for this one!! :-)

[@mirkozecchino1500]

Oh! A "Trapano a Colonna". I work many years with one of this. Greath Job!

[@jamesburns5410]

Nicely done, that is a beautiful drill press. For a small bench top unit it looks exceptionally made and I love the adjustment features. Your restoration was spot on, you made it useful replaced only the necessary parts and didn't remanufacture the whole thing. It should provide good service for a long time.

[@roguishowl3915]

A great way to spend a Saturday, and that’s watching your videos mate, cheers 👍🏻

[@Yanko_13]

Che figata di trapano a colonna, complimenti per l'acquisto ed il restauro!

[@sonyhk3824]

Perfect restoration. Well done man. Cheers

[@Georges-MILLION]

Cette machine est vraiment magnifique !!! D'une conception mécanique géniale ! Belle restauration ! This machine is really beautiful !!! From a great mechanical design ! Beautiful restoration ! Questa macchina è veramente bella !!! Da un grande design meccanico ! Bellissimo restauro !

[@MassariMattia]

Beh...come sempre un ottimo lavoro. Davvero complimenti. Hai tra le mani un opera d'arte 😲

[@keithspencersr.6806]

Beautiful old press, great work, hope you keep it.

[@MoondyneJoe]

BB That machine is stylish enough to sit next to a Antique Coffee machine in the Kitchen !nice job. Tony from Western Australia

[@elfowl6873]

EXCELLENT WORK, GREAT RESTORATION!!!!!!

[@njbaquatics4827]

Fantastic job love seeing these old machines getting a new lease of life I enjoyed the bigger drill press you did as well I did my apprenticeship on machines like these I do miss them things are very different these days

[@AcmeRestorations]

Wow, what a beautiful machine! Nice work.

[@trumanhw]

GET A SANDBLASTER AMIGO... YOUR RESTORATIONS ARE TOO GOOD FOR YOU TO NOT HAVE ONE! :-) EXCELLENT work! Truly.

[@williamutting6435]

Finally good channel. Some others dont know that restoration means restoring the old parts, not making new ones.

[@loricastro3772]

Nice job, congratulations! Thanks for showing us.

[@cwgoforth]

Really nice job, and fun to watch. Thank you!

[@jonnyshoestring9368]

A lovely restoration and was done with care, we'll worth the time.

[@jackalovski1]

The addition of an inverter to a machine like this is so simple and so useful I am amazed it's not more common and that I've never thought of it before.

[@terrynicholls2975]

What a beautifully designed piece of machinery. I’m deeply envious.

[@gary.arthur]

Very handsome drill press, and beautifully restored. Well done!

[@bigbattenberg]

This is remarkable. I have a 'Rosa' drill press in pristine condition which I got for very little from an acquaintance of mine who was moving and decided he had no space for it anymore. I was reluctant to get it because I already have a heavy Infratirea G16 (Romanian) machine, which does all the work I need to get done, as well as a small Solid TB6 for the really fine work (there is a max. 8 mm chuck on it). But the Rosa looked so nice and well built I took it off his hands. I've never even plugged it in, it's still just sitting there (eating up a bit of valuable space) but seeing this video made me realize all the more it's something special. Cheers on the restoration, a very fine job! And thanks for putting this up.

[@defender_of_wonder]

Brilliant craftsmanship! You are one talented and smart young man! 😎Great video!👍🏻❤️😊

[@FFD_Restorations]

Nice project, you done it superb as always! I like the color :) More project like this wood be nice!

[@ronthornton2583]

Amazing! Beautiful! Thanks for sharing ☺

[@getyourkicksagain]

That was one of the most detailed and entertaining restorations I have seen yet, and I have seen many. That is one complicated machine, and you restored it like a pro. Hats off to you, sir, and thank you.

[@nathalieadams]

these types of musicless restoration videos are quality ASMR, I'm so hooked😲

[@timberdish]

That is a proper sweet drill press and what a great job you made of fixing it up! A real enjoyable watch, cheers!! :)

[@CoquiAudio]

that's is a fine piece of machinery it easily can surpass the modern ones :)

[@AMRAMRS]

A tool to surpass metal shear!...

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

Enjoyed watching. This is one nicely made machine, love Italian engineering. It has a Marelli motor, we used to come across this electrical parts manufacturer in Italian vehicles. I think they are a quality product.

[@cmdrschime4840]

And ready for next 100 years 😁👍🏻 Good job

[@samrodian919]

A nice restoration sir, and adding the VFD makes it so much easier to control.

[@jakeolmstead]

You did a very good job it is also a plus when you have a high quality peace of machinery to restore, again very good work.

[@Dobbo2958]

What a beautifully made pillar drill. Well done

[@GeoffreyCroker]

Awesome work Blackbeard. That looks like a sweet drill 👍👍

[@stefanjohansson7471]

Great restoration! Inspires me to restore my own old drill press.

[@herbertorendorff6323]

You did an awesome job it looks amazingly good

[@BenSunay]

very good !

[@richardnash6009]

Another excellent project and looks fantastic thank you 👌👌👌👌

[@guardian1977]

amazing job again! i`m genuinly amazed that you can reasamble a machine with so many parts. i would not remember wich is what.

[@jameshanoomansing1442]

lost for words, as usual ...excellent... no super chroming, just nicely functional

[@patjohnson3100]

Very nice restoration. Thank you for restoring this beautiful drill press. It now has many years more as a useful shop tool. Best regards from the USA.

[@keirfarnum6811]

I’m jealous! What a great drill press! Beautiful work!

[@charlesross9260]

Quality engineering and a first rate restoration. Thanks..

[@dairvaliev7436]

Perfect works! Bravo!!!

[@elarr8733]

Always love how the sped up traffic sounds like he's working with Star Wars speeders or flying taxis from The Fifth Element whizzing by outside.

[@markgentry8675]

wow that was a big job. so many bits. absolutely amazing 😍

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Absolutely awesome Drill Press Restoration Sir !!!!!!

[@elrerex255]

Great piece, amazing job!

[@oalfodr]

Great job! Beautiful drill! I like the simple design. Seams quality made.

[@sypernova6969]

simple design. man, you haven't seen my crappy drill. that's simple. this one has 3 times more parts! that said it's gorgeous, I want one.

[@orielireland]

Lovely bit of work and a beautiful tool!

[@Drdodge]

Great work as always and a beautifull piece of machinery :)

[@tykellerman6384]

All the tapered shafts what a great idea 🤠👍

[@nitt3rz]

I liked the fact you drilled out the guide for the depth gauge with the drill.

[@Vochobarboza]

Love your atention to detail, thank you for sharing, and greetings from Costa Rica...

[@pauljarine]

Well done. That thing is very well built. Wow.

[@johnskelton3493]

What a great piece of kit and well worth the effort

[@ScrewsAndTools]

Hello! Amazing restoration and that drill press very good tool for live. SAT, with respect!

[@oneshotme]

Nice job!! Enjoyed your video and gave it a Thumbs Up

[@paulduffy3794]

I like the belt adjustment on this drill and great video.