Noise with HF drill press

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Noise with HF drill press

Posted: 3/27/2022 2:59:14 AM EDT

I picked up a cheap 8" Harbor Freight press for small projects and find it has more vibration than I care for.

Removed the chuck and vibration is still there. I don't feel any play when trying to wiggle the arbor with the drill press off.

When running, I can feel run out on the idler pulley using my finger. If I hold the arbor with 2 fingers and squeeze a little, the noise goes away. I don't feel any run out at the arbor though.

Here's a short clip with the noise. Any ideas if it's a bearing, belt or something else?

Drill press noise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht7tmppB-wY

Posted: 3/27/2022 3:32:19 AM EDT

[#1]

I don’t have an answer, but if that’s the same model that I have, mine does not exhibit that problem.

Posted: 3/27/2022 6:23:16 AM EDT

[#2]

Looks like it might be a crappy belt

Posted: 3/27/2022 7:25:06 AM EDT

[#3]

No arbor runout? Is that with the server up or extended. I checked one out at the store and it had 3/8 wobble with the arbor extended.

Posted: 3/27/2022 9:59:14 AM EDT

[#4]

My best guess is that there is insufficient preload on the thrust bearing. I'm not sure on how that one is designed, but the common methods of pre-load are spring washers, spacers, and nuts on a threaded shaft. Disassembly would be required to repair.

Posted: 3/27/2022 10:54:27 AM EDT

[#5]

Bearing noise

Posted: 3/27/2022 10:02:00 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
No arbor runout? Is that with the server up or extended. I checked one out at the store and it had 3/8 wobble with the arbor extended.

View Quote

Good point... With it in the full up and fully down with pressure on the handle there is no wobble on the arbor. Anywhere in between those positions, its about 1/16" play. Adjustment of the screw on the side that rides in the vertical slot on the column doesn't reduce that play any.

Posted: 3/27/2022 10:37:20 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
Bearing noise

View Quote

I'm wondering if one of the bearings just wasn't greased. I might just get a replacement drill press and swap this one out.

Posted: 3/28/2022 8:20:34 PM EDT

[#8]

I have a 1940s drill press that made a similar noise once when the motor pulley came loose. There is a small Allen screw in the pulley that clamps onto the key on the motor shaft. The screw backed out and allowed the motor pulley to toggle back-and-forth ever so slightly on the shaft with each rotation. I cleaned the shaft with a green pad and locktited the setscrew and it’s been fine since.

Posted: 3/28/2022 10:10:06 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have a 1940s drill press that made a similar noise once when the motor pulley came loose. There is a small Allen screw in the pulley that clamps onto the key on the motor shaft. The screw backed out and allowed the motor pulley to toggle back-and-forth ever so slightly on the shaft with each rotation. I cleaned the shaft with a green pad and locktited the setscrew and it’s been fine since.

View Quote

I removed the pulley, inspected, cleaned and retightened it. I'm wondering if the pulley isn't concentric on the spindle. I can feel a noticeable vibration with my fingers when touching the pulley.

I should have held on to the old drill press my dad had. It ran smooth as could be. Probably 40-50's era too.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Noise with HF drill press

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