Tool Talk

Classic Power Tools => Classic Power Tools => Topic started by: Twilight Fenrir on June 27, 2014, 09:39:57 PM

Title: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on June 27, 2014, 09:39:57 PM
Hello there!

I've been around antiques, and antique tools all my life... but Monday I'm picking up something that takes the cake, and I need a little help with it... After months of searching for a good drill press, I stumbled onto a fantastic No. 203 at an estate auction. With the exception of the spliced on electric motor, it appears to be pretty much original, and intact. Paid less than scrap value for it too :P

The only thing keeping me from putting it to immediate use, is that it doesn't have a chuck. At least, not one that I recognize. And I'm trying to find out what I need to add this baby to my blacksmithing shop. Right now, at the end of the quill, there is a cylinder with what appears to be a set screw going into it, and a hole in the bottom of it.

I've heard tell that Champion used a system called a 'Morse Taper' but I don't know much about it beyond it comes in 6-7 sizes, and it's a friction fit style chuck. Not sure if that's what I've got going on here or not though.

Here's my press, in all her glory!
(http://www.do-bid.com/dobid/dobid110/4-1.jpg)

I don't have an up close picture of the chuck receiver at the moment, I'll post one on Monday when I get it home. However, I do have a picture off an identical machine, that appears to be the same setup, complete with a chuck.
(http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/images/15963-E.jpg)

Any idea what I might need to make this work?
Any recommendations on what sort of chuck I should go with for metalwork? It will be used principally in steel, as a fixture in my blacksmith shop.

Thanks! :D
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: keykeeper on June 27, 2014, 11:19:08 PM
What you are seeing, IS the chuck on a post drill, that cylinder on the end of the quill. They DID NOT have adjustable chucks on them. The chuck is not for morse taper.

This type of chuck was known as the "Never Slip" chuck. Champion put them on all of their post drills. They take a 1/2 inch round shank bit (there was one other size available according to Champions catalog , but the measurement escapes me at the moment), that has a flat ground on one side of shank. This flat allowed the bit to be locked down by the square set screw on the side of the chuck.

Many folks, because of the scarcity of these type bits, will retrofit a 1/2" shank adjustable chuck to these drills, to allow them to use whatever bits they have. That is what you see in the other pic you posted.

If you think I'm just BS-ing you, just know I base this one the Four drills I have, plus the others I have sold or traded off.

For what it is worth, you can get Silver and Deming bits with 1/2" shanks and grind your own flat for the bigger size drill bits.

I have several original post drill bits, and often find them in boxes of mixed tools at flea markets and garage sales, rather cheap.

I also have one of the Jacobs chucks with the shank, that came on one of my drills.
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: john k on June 27, 2014, 11:58:17 PM
I have two post drills, and was lucky enough to find a set of bits, and an early chuck that takes modern bits.   Some have taken an old electric drill apart and cut the end of the armature off with the chuck, fit it to the 1/2 inch hole in the drill press.   
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on June 28, 2014, 05:52:50 AM
What you are seeing, IS the chuck on a post drill, that cylinder on the end of the quill. They DID NOT have adjustable chucks on them. The chuck is not for morse taper.

This type of chuck was known as the "Never Slip" chuck. Champion put them on all of their post drills. They take a 1/2 inch round shank bit (there was one other size available according to Champions catalog , but the measurement escapes me at the moment), that has a flat ground on one side of shank. This flat allowed the bit to be locked down by the square set screw on the side of the chuck.

Many folks, because of the scarcity of these type bits, will retrofit a 1/2" shank adjustable chuck to these drills, to allow them to use whatever bits they have. That is what you see in the other pic you posted.

If you think I'm just BS-ing you, just know I base this one the Four drills I have, plus the others I have sold or traded off.

For what it is worth, you can get Silver and Deming bits with 1/2" shanks and grind your own flat for the bigger size drill bits.

I have several original post drill bits, and often find them in boxes of mixed tools at flea markets and garage sales, rather cheap.

I also have one of the Jacobs chucks with the shank, that came on one of my drills.

Oooh, I remember reading about their 'never slip chucks'  in a scan of the original catalog I stumbled upon while researching... Certainly can't accuse them of false advertising then! Thanks for the info!

I suspect finding old bits will be difficult for me... Especially smaller ones... I can't imagine many survive with a half inch shank on an 1/8 inch bit :P So I'll have to put a modern chuck on it. Will keep my eyes open for the originals, now that I know what to look for.

Are there any manufactured arbor adaptors from this style chuck, to a modern? Or is it something I'll need to fab? I've got a few drills laying around... But the only ones I'd be willing to butcher for the chuck are smaller than I'd like on a press.
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on June 28, 2014, 06:27:48 AM
Come to think of it... the old chuck style would be much nicer for changing the size of the bit, don't have to sit and unscrew it for half a mile to go from 1/8" to 1/2 :P Just twist set screw a half turn and change! Better grip, easier changing... It's somewhat of a wonder that these aren't still made... But, everything devolves into more general purpose.....

I did find a 1/2" Straight shank to  1/2"-20 threaded arbor adapter. Would still have to grind a flat on it, but that's no big deal. Much easier than trying to fabricate one from scratch, and finding a good enough steel to do it from.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007Q1Q1Y/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3U2Y54AZPKI0D&coliid=I2OZXXJYXNYB8B
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on July 02, 2014, 09:11:35 PM
Okay, got it home... and it looks like the end of mine might have been modified... Because it is actually stamped into the side of it, 'Morse Taper No.2-no.3'

Any suggestions on what I lubricate the entire thing with? It's pretty well caked in oil, so it's been well used and well cared for. But is there anything special I should be giving it, or will gear oil, or regular motor oil work well?
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: rusty on July 02, 2014, 11:59:27 PM
My secret sauce for sludge is vegitable oil*. It cuts grease and old congealed cutting oil fairly well. Make sure you replace it with regular oil afterwards tho, it won't prevent rusting, there is a touch of water in it.

The nice black slime on the table is likely sulphured cutting oil, nasty stuff, if you get it on your shirt you just throw the shirt away ;P

The black stuff on the rack and gears is more likely (moly?) grease, oil drips off the gears, so someone probably got tired of oiling them and greased them instead...

(oil is better, cutting chips stick in the grease, but you have to remember to oil the poor thing once in a while ;)

Edit: I assume you aren't going to paint it, if you are painting it, don't put motor oil on it, strip it with alcohol, then clean with thinner, but paint soon after or it will flash rust ..

*Olive oil works even better, but it is a little pricey to be cleaning old machines with ;P
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: keykeeper on July 03, 2014, 05:55:44 AM
It is entirely possible that a larger press by champion may have been set up for morse taper bits. I'll have to look at my catalog when I find it.

Generally, though, they had the never-slip chuck in them.

I'll check and get back to you.

I have found a few of the small size bits, they did make them with 1/2" shanks. Odd looking little fellas.
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Chillylulu on July 03, 2014, 08:11:22 AM
While researching post drills I found a helpful article here - http://www.beautifuliron.com/thepost.htm 

Chilly
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on July 03, 2014, 07:43:39 PM
My secret sauce for sludge is vegitable oil*. It cuts grease and old congealed cutting oil fairly well. Make sure you replace it with regular oil afterwards tho, it won't prevent rusting, there is a touch of water in it.

The nice black slime on the table is likely sulphured cutting oil, nasty stuff, if you get it on your shirt you just throw the shirt away ;P

The black stuff on the rack and gears is more likely (moly?) grease, oil drips off the gears, so someone probably got tired of oiling them and greased them instead...

(oil is better, cutting chips stick in the grease, but you have to remember to oil the poor thing once in a while ;)

Edit: I assume you aren't going to paint it, if you are painting it, don't put motor oil on it, strip it with alcohol, then clean with thinner, but paint soon after or it will flash rust ..

Vegetable oil, eh? o.o Interesting... If I were going to try and hose all the gunk out, I'd probably get a can of brake cleaning fluid... takes just about everything off pretty darned quick!

There's not a lot of goo on the press, only a bit on the flats of the gears, where the oil was allowed to mix with dust. Otherwise, it's pretty much wet with oil... as seen here!

(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/IMG_20140703_173737_zps66eb548d.jpg?t=1404427305)

No grease either, thankfully. It's just been getting oil the entirety of its life it seems. I added a little 80W gear oil here and there, and it runs a bit quieter now.

Also... why would anyone want to paint it? Look at the thing, it's GORGEOUS! :D I wouldn't touch that patina unless it's continued operation depended on it!

It is entirely possible that a larger press by champion may have been set up for morse taper bits. I'll have to look at my catalog when I find it.

Generally, though, they had the never-slip chuck in them.

I'll check and get back to you.

I have found a few of the small size bits, they did make them with 1/2" shanks. Odd looking little fellas.

Please do, I'm quite interested in learning that little tidbit. If you've got the page on the 203, I'd love a scan of it! This doesn't seem to be a terribly common press, I could only find one other set of pictures aside from mine... Here are a few shots of the chuck on mine:

(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/IMG_20140703_173536_zpsada85b2a.jpg?t=1404427194)

On the large cylinder, it says "1/2 June 18 04" Which, I'm guessing represents 1904, not 2004 :P

(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/IMG_20140703_173628_zps4c827076.jpg?t=1404427115)

At the bottom of the large cylinder, is a small part that sticks out that reads: "Morse U.S.A. No.2 to No.3"

I picked up a small benchtop drillpress at the same auction, and it had a Jacobs No. 34 chuck attached to a Morse No. 3 shank, so I popped it out of there and into my big one, lickity split. Fits nice and snug! Only problem is, the chuck won't close all the way :/ I've got it soaking in penetrating oil right now to try to free it up...

While researching post drills I found a helpful article here - http://www.beautifuliron.com/thepost.htm 

Chilly

Hey, that's some pretty neat information indeed!
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Chillylulu on July 03, 2014, 10:59:49 PM
Umm, Twilight?  That picture that has the 2 holes looks suspiciously like a never slip. Do you think maybe you have a morse taper adapter in a stock never slip?

Chilly
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on July 04, 2014, 08:08:33 AM
Umm, Twilight?  That picture that has the 2 holes looks suspiciously like a never slip. Do you think maybe you have a morse taper adapter in a stock never slip?

Chilly

I was wondering about that... But the hole in it is bigger than 1/2"...I think someone machined it out to take a morse taper. And the part that is in there, is really in there, and there are no set screws in any of the holes...


Any idea how I raise and lower the work table? o.o I am baffled... I have a hand crank that loosens a square bolt on the back, that seems to be there to lock it in place. And there is a gear on the side with a pawl to keep it from dropping... But I don't see anything to crank on to raise/lower, and it doesn't move by just grabbing and reafing on it... There is a large (1.5"-ish) hexagonal indent in the sprocket on the side, do I need to fabricate a crank that fits into this, or am I missing something? o.o
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: ron darner on July 09, 2014, 07:43:30 PM
I don't recall ever seeing one just like this - but there are folks collecting old "post drills" and displaying them at various meets around here: The Thresheree, at Edgerton, WI (www.thresheree.com), the Badger Steam & Gas Engine show at Baraboo, WI, the Dodge County Power show at Burnett, WI, and so on.  If I can talk with some of the collectors, I can ask, and maybe get some hints.  Meanwhile, that rack on the column surely MUST be connected with the raising & lowering operation - look for any place where a pinion could engage it.  Gears with pawls may be part of an automatic feed mechanism, on  drills of this type.
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on July 10, 2014, 07:34:35 AM
I don't recall ever seeing one just like this - but there are folks collecting old "post drills" and displaying them at various meets around here: The Thresheree, at Edgerton, WI (www.thresheree.com), the Badger Steam & Gas Engine show at Baraboo, WI, the Dodge County Power show at Burnett, WI, and so on.  If I can talk with some of the collectors, I can ask, and maybe get some hints.  Meanwhile, that rack on the column surely MUST be connected with the raising & lowering operation - look for any place where a pinion could engage it.  Gears with pawls may be part of an automatic feed mechanism, on  drills of this type.

Well, I think I more or less got it sorted out... I had to oil the bejeezus out of it, and pull that sprocket off. After persuading it carefully with a hammer for a bit, I got it to move. That sprocket interacts directly with the track, so at one point there must have been a crank for it. I'll just pick up a giant hex bolt, and grind the shank square to fit the crank I have for the lock screw... The other problem, is most of the teeth are broken off the gear. It looks like it's a cast iron piece, so I can't just build them back up with my welder... I can move it with brute force now, so it's usable until I figure something else out...
(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/IMG_20140704_182242_zps67bc7649.jpg?t=1404517773)
(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/IMG_20140705_121937_zpsc326b733.jpg)
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: rusty on July 10, 2014, 04:13:59 PM
Depending how in love you are with the machine, and what it is worth to you, there are folks on the vintagemachinery site who occasionally make replacement parts....
Some of them use nearly as old machinery to do it :P)

It is probably far too stressed out at this point to be weldable, might be brazable and machinable, but I suspect it is all filled with cracks from years of being not so well treated...
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on July 10, 2014, 08:08:25 PM
Depending how in love you are with the machine, and what it is worth to you, there are folks on the vintagemachinery site who occasionally make replacement parts....
Some of them use nearly as old machinery to do it :P)

It is probably far too stressed out at this point to be weldable, might be brazable and machinable, but I suspect it is all filled with cracks from years of being not so well treated...
Hmm... that's an interesting idea... I might look into that in the future. Right now, I don't quite have the scratch to afford that sort of fabrication... Might stumble on to another press too, if I keep my eyes open. I only paid $20.00 for mine XD Which, is significantly less than its weight in scrap iron... I've got to work out its more functional kinks before I'm sure it'd be worth that kind of money too.

Thanks for the input!
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: keykeeper on July 11, 2014, 05:36:06 AM
You are correct, reference the table adjustment mechanism. There was a crank to raise and lower it. We have a similar, if not the same, post drill mounted in our blacksmith association shop. Amazingly, the crank is there, and is always found laying on the table.

Hopefully the broken teeth on the inside of the gear do not keep you from being able to use it.

These are magnificent machines to see working!!
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: ron darner on July 12, 2014, 01:51:28 AM
Believe it or not, there was an electrically-powered version of your drill back when it was new, circa 1918!  It was the 203E version; I'm guessing that yours was an "A" or "B".  See the ad at http://www.ebay.com/itm/1918-AD-Champion-Bear-Bearing-Post-Drill-F202-F203-/150792422286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231bedc38e (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1918-AD-Champion-Bear-Bearing-Post-Drill-F202-F203-/150792422286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231bedc38e), lower left corner.
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on July 14, 2014, 03:19:04 PM
You are correct, reference the table adjustment mechanism. There was a crank to raise and lower it. We have a similar, if not the same, post drill mounted in our blacksmith association shop. Amazingly, the crank is there, and is always found laying on the table.

Hopefully the broken teeth on the inside of the gear do not keep you from being able to use it.

These are magnificent machines to see working!!
It's definitely still usable, just a bear to adjust! That table must weight 80lbs, and it's not in the most convenient place to lift it by hand :P

I think, that there is enough of the teeth left for it to still be usable... Only about half of each tooth is broken off, seemingly because the axle bolt backs out, pulling the gear with it until only a small portion of the pinion is in contact with the rack. So, a bit of locktite on the threads, and MAYBE I'll be okay for now. Though it will certainly need to be addressed.

It'd be neat if you could take a picture or two of said press! :3

Believe it or not, there was an electrically-powered version of your drill back when it was new, circa 1918!  It was the 203E version; I'm guessing that yours was an "A" or "B".  See the ad at http://www.ebay.com/itm/1918-AD-Champion-Bear-Bearing-Post-Drill-F202-F203-/150792422286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231bedc38e (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1918-AD-Champion-Bear-Bearing-Post-Drill-F202-F203-/150792422286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231bedc38e), lower left corner.

Oh awesome! That's the first documentation I've seen about this particular press! And now I know what that one rod that sticks way the heck above the reat of my machine is for... It was the weighted fly wheel for the hand cranking. Looks just like the wheel on smaller presses, I'll have to keep my eyes out for a basic champion press to see if I can't pilfer the wheel!

I'm guessing mine is the base model 203 though. It has the shaft for the cone pulley, even though the cone is missing, and has been replaced with a fixed size pulley. It's definitely for dual opperation, and doesn't appear to have ever had a motor mounted on it for the E type.

I should almost buy those catalog pages...
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: ron darner on July 18, 2014, 02:06:34 AM
Rather than buying just those catalog pages, here's a segment from the pages that Chillylulu provided a link for: Champion Blower & Forge Company Catalog 1909 reprint. For anyone interested in Champion Blower & Forge Company products, I recommend buying a reprint of The Champion Blower & Forge Company Catalog circa January 1909. Reprints of this catalog can be purchased from Centaur Forge http://www.centaurforge.com/ (http://www.centaurforge.com/) in their Metalworking Reference Materials Book selection: http://www.centaurforge.com/Metalworking-Reference-Materials/products/260/ (http://www.centaurforge.com/Metalworking-Reference-Materials/products/260/) , Burlington, Wisconsin, USA. The catalog shows all of the company's products that were made in 1909. Drills, forges, blowers, tire bending and shrinking equipment, taps and dies. This is an excellent source featuring some of the best tools of the era. The catalog includes a cutaway drawing of the internal working parts of the Champion 400 blower - the best hand cranked ball-bearing forge blower ever made! The Champion Blower & Forge catalog of 1909 is an excellent reference for identifying and inspecting these old tools and all of their parts. Champion made some of the very best tools and these tools are still used in many blacksmith, horseshoeing, and repair shops today.
I followed the second embedded link, and confirmed that it is still live.  The price of the reprint shows as $9.00, but I didn't dig deep enough to see shipping charges, taxes, etc., or whether it's currently available.
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: bear_man on July 19, 2014, 02:51:17 AM
Years and years ago (1974), back when I lived on a low-power photovoltaic system, I swore by a Champion post drill.  At the time, I owned three breast drills, one of which I canabilized the 3-jaw chuck and "bolt" from to swap into place instead of the "never-slip" chuck system the drill came with.  I'm in the process of restoring yet another Champion post drill but don't (yet) have a breast drill I feel like ruining just for the chuck.  Anyway, this's just an idea…
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Bill Houghton on July 23, 2014, 06:46:27 PM
There's a company called Cattail, somewhere back East - look around on Old Woodworking Machines (owwm.org (http://owwm.org)) for contact information that will cast parts.  Maybe you could figure out a way to build that back up as the pattern for a new one.  To my surprise, I found out recently that you don't have to apply shrink values to cast iron - it stays the size of the pattern.  At least that's my understanding.
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on July 23, 2014, 07:39:06 PM
Aaand, I got it :3

A 1 1/8" bolt + Angle Grinder + crank for back nut = crank for adjusting table... And the table moves fairly freely! :D I guess it's all a mater of leverage. I've got to oil it a bit more, there are a few sticky places... but I can easily adjust the table now, so this press is officially ready to go! I'll definitely look into getting a new piece made, but the one that's on there still seems to have some life left in it. Just got to make sure it doesn't work its way loose again...

I also got to give my press its first decent test. I had to dill a 5/8" hole in the head of the bolt so that it would fit into the recess around the screw. Put a 5/8" bit in there, and it didn't even think about slowing down :D Just bored right on through! So, I am officially thrilled with my purchase. It will probably do anything and everything I could ask of it. If I do hit the limits of the press, it will be the motor, not the press that will give out. And I can always find a bigger motor than a 1/2 horse!
(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/IMG_20140723_190347_zps922b5e6c.jpg?t=1406160901)

(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/IMG_20140723_190753_zps4de494db.jpg?t=1406160743)

(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/IMG_20140723_190810_zps6c649c0d.jpg?t=1406160604)
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: keykeeper on July 29, 2014, 10:42:34 PM
I finally got around to scanning my catalog....enjoy Twilight!
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on July 31, 2014, 09:59:36 PM
Quote
This Drill represents our best workmanship

Hehe, I knew she was a special drill! :D Very neat stuff! Wish I had all the original parts though. That wheel hanger sounds kind of interesting. I do think I found a new flywheel for it, but it's currently the price I paid for the whole press! ($20, ooooooh XP)

I've used it a few times now, and I am definitely pleased with it! It's everything I hoped to find in a drill press, and more! I just got a keyless chuck for it too... Because the chuck I was using didn't close all the way, and the key was damaged... Dang is that thing nice to use <3

Quote
Will drill holes up to 1 1/2 inch

Man I believe it! I bet it will do more than that...
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Alicia on September 22, 2014, 06:47:58 PM
I have a champion blower and forge company press. It's belt driven. #203 pat no 70 28 aug 9, 1904. Anyone know where I can find catalogs with images? Or interested buyers??
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on September 29, 2014, 08:55:56 PM
I have a champion blower and forge company press. It's belt driven. #203 pat no 70 28 aug 9, 1904. Anyone know where I can find catalogs with images? Or interested buyers??

There are several catalogs with images posted in this thread :P

As for buyers... Maybe if you're in Northern Minnesota :P
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Alicia1129 on November 05, 2014, 12:53:21 PM
Would sell parts. 
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on November 05, 2014, 06:46:09 PM
Would sell parts.

Yeah?

Is the sprocket for adjusting the table in good shape? I'd be interested in that, and the foot. (The bottom-most part of the press, down under the round pole the table slides up and down on)
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: WWIProps on May 10, 2015, 11:50:09 PM
I recently just came across a Champion 203 Drill Press.  Mine is lacking the top wheel and appears as though it never had any gear covers.  Does anyone have any information on the diameter of the hand wheel that mounts to the vertical shaft and how to change the gear ratio?
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on May 11, 2015, 03:43:15 PM
I recently just came across a Champion 203 Drill Press.  Mine is lacking the top wheel and appears as though it never had any gear covers.  Does anyone have any information on the diameter of the hand wheel that mounts to the vertical shaft and how to change the gear ratio?
Lookie thar! That's a fine looking tool! Still has the original drive pulley, too!

The poster contacted me via PM, and I explained the gear changing mechanism, but to any who may stumble on to this post in a future internet search, I will post here as well...

In the image below, there are two sets of horizontal gears on vertical shafts. The front shaft runs down to the quill, the rear is the adjustable one. If you grab the gear in your hand, you can lift it up so the smaller pulley engages the larger pulley on the front shaft, reducing its output RPMs. There is a small pawl-like lever on top of the right gear, which you can see in the picture below. This pawl pushes into a groove machined in the shaft, and keeps the gear elevated, and engaged in the low-speed position.

(http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/IMG_20140703_173737_zps66eb548d.jpg?t=1404427305)
Title: Re: Finding a chuck for my 'new' Champion Blower & Forge No. 203
Post by: BlackDog74 on June 09, 2015, 07:32:23 PM
Hi guys.   I think I have come across a No 2003 here in Australia.  There was mention of a scanned catalog..If possible would someone be able to forward me a copy please.