Champion Blower & Forge Drill Press Restoration

[OilyRascal]

Several weeks ago I took a picture of a large pipe elbow for comment.  In that picture there was a treasure in the background that I wasn't aware was there.  I believe it was John's keen eye that honed in on the press from there.  It was a rather old drill press mounted to a piece of large C-channel laying face down in the dirt. 



I had time today to move the things required to get a tractor over that way and pick it up.  This is what I lifted once I was able to get to it.





It is date stamped 12/21/1915 - Patent 116535



This is a view with the c-channel removed and a power washing.



This is the worst of the worst damage:



A very sweet Low/High speed gear setup - change it with a slide of the gear.



I do not understand this part of the press - it would be located at the top opposite the lift/lower handle side.



Oh just great - another wrench to look for



and this is her after the first good cleaning, and a little oiling.  Everything did free up and moves very well by hand.




What's next?  Before I decide I would like to hear feedback on the pros, cons, benefits, etc. of repairing versus not repairing the rusted/pitted area on the shaft closest to the bit.  All of the shaft that makes contact with a seal or wiper looks great.  I just don't have the experience with a keyless chuck? to say if there is a consequence of not repairing that area.  I'd appreciate any feedback you may have.

[keykeeper]

The part you don't understand is a feed arm. It would have been, at one point in the drills life, actuated by a cam somewhere on the shaft that makes the spindle turn. It would then turn a wheel on the spindle that s-l-o-w-l-y fed the spindle into the work.

Looks like the press was re-fitted for a line shaft setup, to run on a flat belt for power to it, then
 someone retrofitted it with the 4 armed wheel to control feed of the spindle into the workpiece. At least that is how I am seeing it.

Most of these type drills were designed to run by hand-crank power, save for the really large ones that were also set-up for flat belts and line shaft power. If there is a model number, I may have an illustration of it in a Champion catalog reprint I have here.

[OilyRascal]

The part you don't understand is a feed arm. It would have been, at one point in the drills life, actuated by a cam somewhere on the shaft that makes the spindle turn.

The feed arm remains in tact, and is actuated as the flat belt shiv is moved.

Most of these type drills were designed to run by hand-crank power, save for the really large ones that were also set-up for flat belts and line shaft power. If there is a model number, I may have an illustration of it in a Champion catalog reprint I have here.

I'm not real clear on what large and small is in the context of Champion drill presses, but I'd say this one stands around 60" and must weigh over 400lbs.  I did not see an obvious model number as I was working with it today - although it does seem I may have spotted a lone "5" somewhere.  I will check it again tomorrow.

[john k]

That is a beautiful piece of machinery, is in much better shape than I imagined after laying in the dirt for decades.  The spindle shaft with drill bit, looks like the bits are of the Morse taper variety.  A tapered pin is tapped into the slot above the bit to loosen it.   No chuck needed as friction snagged the bits in tight.  Now to determine which no. of taper it is. I think there were 4-5 different ones.  Somebody here with more machine shop experience than I can enlighten all of us on that part.    The feed arm,  I believe originally engaged another wheel which went on the top of the spindle shaft.  Plus there was something in that other casting  up top with the 1.5 inch? hole in it.   The pic shows what was in there originally.  Not exactly the same model, but the pic is pretty good.  Maybe a couple of these pieces are still in your save pile?

[keykeeper]

The part pictured with the comment "Oh great, another wrench to look for" is actually a hand crank that fits in the square socket to raise and lower the work table.

Our blacksmith association has a drill in the shop very similar to this one. I'll try to get pictures next time I go out there. It also has a very large flywheel mounted on the top of the spindle, to keep the momentum going when in operation.

These are some VERY large beasts, for sure. Not many are seen in complete working or rebuildable condition, in my opinion. A treasure to keep, for sure. They will drill through most anything, due to the slow nature of how they work. No burned up drill bits, that is for certain.

[OilyRascal]

Thank you, both!

I swiped this picture off Ebay.  Does this look closer to the original setup in terms of the hand crank and the feed mechanism?  (minus the keyed chuck) - There is something about the hand wheel on this one that doesn't seem just right to me.

[OilyRascal]

Here is the patent drawing for 1165357.

And up for consideration is this 14" hand crank wheel listed on Ebay.  It is tempting.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/14-Industrial-Old-Champion-Blower-Forge-Hand-Crank-Drill-Press-Wheel-Gear-VTG-/290634140505?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ab250b59#ht_500wt_969

[Branson]

>I'm not real clear on what large and small is in the context of Champion drill presses, but I'd say this one stands around 60" and must weigh over 400lbs.

What a beautiful monster!   My post drill, and most of those I've seen in the wild, are less than a quarter of this weight. 

You know Oily, this has ceased to be a project.  It's become a Saga!

[OilyRascal]

If there is a model number, I may have an illustration of it in a Champion catalog reprint I have here.

It is marked "No. 107" - I'm assuming that is the model number.

[johnsironsanctuary]

Oily,
Here is a table of Morse Tapers.  The large end diameter is all you need to identify what you have.  It won't be exact, but close.