Pillar Drill Problem

[OPJ]

Hi guys,

I've had a Clarke CDP201B Pillar Drill/Drill Press (bench-mounted) for close to two-years and for some time now I've been experiencing a problem with excess noise and vibration coming from the chuck area; which seems to only happen when running the machine on higher speeds with small bits.

If I swap the belts around to reduce the speed and insert a large forstner bit, I don't seem to have this problem and it runs very smoothly. It started only a few months after I bought the machine and, well, you know, since it doesn't appear to affect the accuracy of my woodwork it's never really bothered me. Unless I'm drilling a lot of holes in one go - the noise becomes irritating then!

I'm hoping this is quite a common problem or at least that someone will come along and give me a suggestion as to where to look and what to check for... I'm guessing it could be to do with the chuck somewhere? The noise is greater when returned up to its 'resting' position.

Thank you guys, in advance, for your help and suggestions.

 

[Rich]

Hi Olly, I don,t own a "clark" but a "fobco" but there is not much difference in construction, I would suggest removing the chuck (morse taper) and then running the drill, if there is no noise try moving the quill up and down, the only thing to really make the noise you describe is the top bearing but if your drilling is still concentric then try some wd40, keep us posted as this may be more common than we think.
Regards Rich.

 

[OPJ]

Hello Rich and thanks. But how do you suggest I go about removing the chuck? I remember having to force it in to place before by driving it in to a wooden block - manufacturer's instructions!

 

[Rich]

Olly, remove the cover over the drive belt/front pulleys and you should be able to look down on the top of the chuck taper, if you can see it try tapping it out with a length of ally/brass rod or even hardwood (place a piece of timber under the chuck to protect it when it comes out) without having seen your drill I,m just suggesting what should be a straightforward job, hope this helps, Rich,

 

[Digit]

The top end of the Morse taper has a slope on it, all the bench drills I've used have a slot in the quill, a wedge shaped drift is inserted into that slot to engage the slope then struck with a hammer. The chuck drops out.
Have you got the belts too tight? This will cause considerable noise at speed.

 

[OPJ]

I thought it may have been possible I was over-tightening the belts (I have a habit of doing that!) but after resetting the tension to very low I still get the same noise, although it is a little better.

Thanks Digit, I'll have a look and try your method for removing the chuck. I had a look inside the cover but it doesn't look like I can strike it from above.

 

[Gary]

Hello Rich and thanks. But how do you suggest I go about removing the chuck? I remember having to force it in to place before by driving it in to a wooden block - manufacturer's instructions!

Use the wedge that came with the drill.

 

[OPJ]

Now you've got me scratching my head, Gary - I don't remember receiving a wedge with my drill at all...?

 

[9fingers]

This model does not have a female morse taper spindle but instead the spindle has a male jacobs taper (size JT33) which fits into the back of the chuck.

I doubt if you need to take the chuck off to investigate the noise

There are a number possible sources of noises.
1 Bearings. there will be two bearings in the top pulley and two bearing inside the moveable quill supporting the spindle. Any of these could be on the way out and making a noise. Bearings are standard parts readily available but need care whan changing to make sure the new ones are not damaged. Always buy the type with 2 rubber seals. The suffix will likely be 2R or RR.

2) the belt may have gone hard espcially if the drill has been unused for a while. Take the belt off and lay it on the table. if it lays as a circle then it should be OK. If it keeps the same shape as when round the pulleys, it needs replacing. Check it is smooth and no chunks taken out of it.

3) wear in the keyway driving the spindle. Typically this makes a noise when the drill is running unloaded but when the drill is working, it quietens down. There is not a lot you can do about this third noise mechanism.


Hope this helps

Bob

 

[Bean]

If this model is simular to other Clark drills I have seen, it is unlikely that there is a bearing at the top of the quill. The noise could be coming from the splines of the quill where they run through the pulley.
This problem I found by investigating why the play in the quill increased when the quill was lowered on a friends clark drill.

The chuck will need a split wedge or drift, these are usually supplied with the chuck. Its no matter if you do not have one, all good engineering suppliers will stock them.

 

[CHJ]

Also check that both pulleys are secure on their respective shafts, it's not unknown for the securing grub screws etc. to be loose and allowing the pulley to rattle on the shaft, especially the motor end.

 

[9fingers]

If this model is simular to other Clark drills I have seen, it is unlikely that there is a bearing at the top of the quill. The noise could be coming from the splines of the quill where they run through the pulley.
This problem I found by investigating why the play in the quill increased when the quill was lowered on a friends clark drill.

The chuck will need a split wedge or drift, these are usually supplied with the chuck. Its no matter if you do not have one, all good engineering suppliers will stock them.

Ugh! What an apalling design compromise

Bob

 

[Bean]

Bob

Ugh! What an apalling design compromise

They are worse than that, they are plain nasty when you look at them in detail. But then at that price, what do we expect?