MilwaukeeJon Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 In trying out the notion of drilling out a hammer head before drifting (to save my arm a little wear and tear) I decided to keep alive the old school character of my shop by acquiring a ca. 1900 hand powered drill press. It is a Silver Mfg. Co. (Salem, Ohio) model 1 1/2 and it tore through the 1” square 4140 bar that you see here. With right hand cranking the handle and the left hand slowly tightening the top wheel I was ripping out what looked like pretty impressive wood shavings. At my approximately 60 rpm rate the bit, which I kept lubricated with oil, stayed cool and the entire job took less than 5 minutes. As efficient as an electric drill press? No, but lots of fun seeing this old machine do its thing so well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Slow speed, high pressure and lubrication are sort of the basis of drilling large holes in steel. I've used my Cole drill to drill 1/2 and 3/4" holes through 1/2 in plate while standing on the upper rungs of a ladder when I was building my shop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilwaukeeJon Posted October 23, 2017 Author Share Posted October 23, 2017 Great looking drill. Do you supply all of the drilling force from the threaded shaft? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 the large "nut" does the advance of the drillbit while the crank provides the circular motion. Handy thing is that it's portable and does not need to be plugged in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilwaukeeJon Posted November 7, 2017 Author Share Posted November 7, 2017 Seems that the harder the steel, the longer the shavings. Minor point to be sure....but kind of fun seeing this 120 year old machine work so well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 It's easy to get addicted to using those things. It's just too fun watching those curls being made! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilwaukeeJon Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 I agree! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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