Ajax pillar drill - help needed

[Zeddedhed]

I was given this drill - Ajax RDM 170f a few years ago and have been happily using it although it's stuck on one speed (2080 or 2496 rpm).

I can't change the belts to adjust the speed as the lever thingy on the side is just spinning rather than doing what it should (releasing the belt tension by moving the forward pulley stack I believe)

Anyway, I know that there a re quite a few of you on here who have performed magical transformations to drills older than mine (its about 1979 I believe), and I'm guessing that most machines of a similar vintage work in roughly the same way.

Anybody have any idea about how I go about fixing the beasty, bearing in mind I have all the engineering talent and ability of a hamster.

 

[Wildman]

I have the same drill, I'll have a look when I hget my transport back and can get to the workshop. I assume it is operated by some form of rack and pinion and either the gears are worn out or the pinion has come free of the lever could be something as simple as a retaining taper pin having dropped out. Will hunt for a take down diagram online.
Well found one
http://www.machinespares.net/document-l ... ent_id=360

not helping me at the moment however looking at the diagram it could be a cam rather then rack and pinion. I hope it helps some. If unlocked (lefthand butterfly nut) then I guess the motor may pull forward manually. Just a thought you are releasing the lock on the left and moving the motor with the lever on the right?
The pdf for you to save is
http://www.machinespares.net/docs/360.pdf
If you remove the motor, looks like you can release the cover and swivel it out of the way allowing you to see the inner workings and determine the problem. Do keep us informed.