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Lotus Europa Forums => Off Topic Subjects => Topic started by: Kendo on Thursday,November 30, 2023, 12:08:40 PM

Title: Slowing down a drill press
Post by: Kendo on Thursday,November 30, 2023, 12:08:40 PM
I have an old Delta Rockwell radial arm drill press; looks like this one https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/rockwell-delta-radial-arm-drill-press.439153/ (https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/rockwell-delta-radial-arm-drill-press.439153/)

But even at its slowest, it runs too fast for some jobs. Is there a mod I can make to slow down the motor? It currently has a Dayton Electric 3/4 HP motor, 1750 RPM. No telling if that's original. I was looking at variable frequency drives, and 3-phase motors, which seems like overkill. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Slowing down a drill press
Post by: gideon on Thursday,November 30, 2023, 12:15:20 PM
This is cheap and might do the trick

https://www.harborfreight.com/router-variable-speed-control-dial-59386.html
Title: Re: Slowing down a drill press
Post by: Grumblebuns on Thursday,November 30, 2023, 01:17:33 PM
You need to check how many amps your drill press is pulling before using the above device. If less then 8 amps, should work.
Title: Re: Slowing down a drill press
Post by: Kendo on Thursday,November 30, 2023, 02:25:14 PM
My motor says 10.8A at 115VAC.
Title: Re: Slowing down a drill press
Post by: dakazman on Thursday,November 30, 2023, 03:02:55 PM
  Have you considered using a 120v dimmer switch ?
 The output side could be hooked up to a female wall outlet for quick changeover back to the original pulley speeds.  A double junction box can house both . Just add a male plug to the other end.
Dakazman
Title: Re: Slowing down a drill press
Post by: GavinT on Thursday,November 30, 2023, 03:41:15 PM
The one shown at your Garage Journal link appears to be using the largest pulley on the motor.
Is yours set up that way?

I'd be investigating pulley alternatives first.
Title: Re: Slowing down a drill press
Post by: Grumblebuns on Thursday,November 30, 2023, 04:06:39 PM
Ken, the Garage Journal is a pretty good forum for questions on electrical equipment, I belong to it. You might ask the question there on the either the Lighting and Electrical or General Tool Discussion subforum. I'm sure someone over there has a solution.
Title: Re: Slowing down a drill press
Post by: Kendo on Thursday,November 30, 2023, 05:02:41 PM
Gavin, the belt on mine is on the smallest pulley on the motor. I think that's the slowest setting.

Grumblebuns, I'll check with Garage Journal.
Title: Re: Slowing down a drill press
Post by: dakazman on Friday,December 01, 2023, 06:13:01 AM
  Here is a short video to set speed .
https://youtu.be/YzNWuumF-L8?si=ATlJDyqhEvbi0ytK

   Then if you really want to get full use try this setup.
  https://youtube.com/shorts/ljq_nasVEmk?si=kMM2K43tg2Fc5pXn
 Or this simple method:
    https://youtu.be/bxEsC14ROoU?si=6WmtafvMyTUsItIE


  Dakazman
Title: Re: Slowing down a drill press
Post by: Kendo on Wednesday,December 06, 2023, 11:33:17 AM
It looks like the options were 1) DC motor and VFD, 2) AC VFD, 3) slower motor (1140 RPM). The first two generally would cost more than just buying a new drill press. I considered that, but kind of like the old beast. So I asked the Chat at Grainger for a 1140 RPM equivalent of the ancient 5K694-G I have. She suggested the DAYTON, 4YY55. So that's on order.