Speaking of drill presses, modification?

[LinuxRandal]

As someone who has an older one (Atlas, somewhere around WWII model), didn't people just used to swap the post, to make it into a floor model. Then bolt its base to a bigger hunk of steel?

Was this just some old timers I knew, or something else I am missing?


Considering this for a next years project.

[LCHIEN]

As someone who has an older one (Atlas, somewhere around WWII model), didn't people just used to swap the post, to make it into a floor model. Then bolt its base to a bigger hunk of steel?

Was this just some old timers I knew, or something else I am missing?


Considering this for a next years project.

Yeah, you more or less have to size the post diameter pretty closely, though.

[Pappy]

One advantage of the floor models is longer quill travel. A longer post won't help that.

[bthere]

On models that have a rack and pinion type mechanism to raise and lower the table, you would also need to extend the rack, or find a method to clamp it to the post in the range of travel that you want to limit your table to.

[JimD]

My floor model Craftsman did not come with a rack and pinion mechanism and the table got pretty heavy when I mounted a wooden table to the metal one with drawers on it. My solution was to mount a little boat trailer winch to a plate attached to the motor mount so I can use it to pull on the table. I still have to tension up the rope, then loosen the clamp and nudge it up or down but it takes almost all the effort out of the process.

Jim

[cabinetman]

When I first started out, my first DP was a bench type. Shop was very small, and I needed the bench space. I got lucky finding the right size tubing. I re-used the existing base and bolted it to an old tire rim (free). Turned out to be pretty stable.
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[LCHIEN]

I giuess the poiont some of the posters have been trying to make is that if you can find the right sized column pole, you will only have a taller floor-standing drill press with all the benchtop limitations of the original head/motor/and table lift capabilities.