Drill Press/Greg Newell's question

[Joseph Garrett]

I have an olde Delta Radial Drill Press. That thing is so versatile that
I've never regretted getting it. It has put in 25years of service. The only
thing that was done in repairs, was to have the bearings replaced, as it had
a lot of run-out after about 15 years of using it as a lathe, drill, milling
machine, drum sander, etc. About 10 years ago I purchased a second base and
column for it. The second base, I mounted on my "In the piano pinblock
plugging and tuning pin drilling  fixture. The column was cut into 3
different lengths, 6" long, 7.5" long and 9" long. Each for different
heights on the fixture. I usually use the 7.5". It usually depends on the
height of the stretcher from the plate surface. This fixture is also the
storage for my tuning pins. The whole thing weighs in at a whopping 750
pounds!! It is on a moving platform, (castors on a platform w/fixture
free-standing on it). The weight makes for very accurate drilling. However,
you will get a good aerobic workout when using it. <G> The fixture has
vertically adjustable legs for the "major declivity", (read angle). the top
of the fixture has a 24" x 24" butcher block that is hinged to the top of
the fixture. This is where the "fine", (and final), angle is set.
Unfortunately, Santa did not bring me a digital camera, this year, so I
don't have pictures.
The fixture was laid out on the inside of the appropriate "Cheerios" box, so
I don't have blueprints for it either.
If there is interest, in this lovely humongous fixture, I'll get one of my
computer types to bring their newest and best digital camera over.
BTW, this fixture was inexpensive to build. The whole design was
specifically for the Radial Arm Drill press. Because of the reach, it needed
mass to be stable, which it definitely is. (The whole thing falls into the
International Harvester Design Category[G])
Best Regards,
Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon)

Been There, Didn't Like It, So I'm Here To Stay! [G}