Drill Press and Question
 

A very good friend of mine picked up this old Atlas drill press at an estate sale and gave it to me. I am in the process of finding it a home in my shop right now but hope someone on here can help me.
The unit has an old Master 1/4hp electric motor on it that runs, but is a bit noisy. Guessing maybe a bearing issue. I've not had any luck on line finding if there are parts available. I'd love to keep this thing as original as possible so keeping the old motor is a desire.
Any old electric motor experts on here?

Re: Drill Press and Question
 

Your best bet for parts will probably be ebay, given it's age. But, the motor bearings themselves. Shouldn't be to hard to find. Just pull the end bells off the motor case. And you should be able to get the brand and part number. Off of the bearings themselves.

Re: Drill Press and Question
 

As stated The bearings will be probably be easy to find.

Alot of bearing are metric size .

If you measure them and they are metric, Amazon or E bay will be the 2 that you can compare for price.

Most motors carry a 6203 bearing.

Re: Drill Press and Question
 

Guess I should have clarified. This thing is old. Guessing probably 1950's or 1960's and the motor is just as old. If it had the typical single or double sealed ball bearings like newer stuff I'd already have it apart.

This motor appears to have lubricated sleeve bearings. See photo. I have ordered some 20wt oil for electric motors and will try that first. Could be the old belt on it making a ton of noise as well. Doesn't seem to be loose in the radial direction but the shaft will move up/down about 1/8 of an inch.

Re: Drill Press and Question
 

Link: https://www.practicalmachinist.com/f...the-us.321378/

I have an Atlas Shaper and a Craftsman Drill press.

They both have similar motors.

Working in the Machining Industry I have been Surprised.

If the bearings have a Part# on them, you will be Good.:metal:

As long as they are still produced and affordable for your project.

Re: Drill Press and Question
 

Getter-Done,
Thanks for the information. I am going to start with oiling the bearings and a new belt. See how far that gets me. Everything on the press itself seems in good order. I have a vise ordered for it and am excited to have this piece of equipment in my stable now.

Re: Drill Press and Question
 

I would actually guess 40's. By the 60's most machine tools used more sheetmetal and machined from raw stock components. Rather than cast. The overall design was generally much more squared off also. I have a Delta/Rockwell dual head drill press table. That I'm slowly working on. It's early/mid 50's your drill press looks like its probably somewhat older.

For sleave bearings it's going to be almost the same. Measure the shaft diameter, (where it isn't worn ) the bore diameter, in the bell ends ) and/or sleave OD and length. Search eBay to see if you can find some nos or equivalent size bearings. Possibly a bearing store such as Whisler Bearing. Grainger or McMaster Carr could also be possibilities. I've gotten lucky a few times and found oil impregnated sleeve bearings at Ace that were usable. An electric motor shop should be able to get some or make some. If you have any local manual machinist, should be a non issue for them to make a pair.

But, if it's just excessive end play. It's probably a lot easier to shim the armature some.

Re: Drill Press and Question
 

First pop the belt off and run the motor without the belt. Drill presses do tend to run to the noisy side.

Re: Drill Press and Question
 

Nice bench top drill press.

One advantage of older stuff is most was designed with replaceable parts. The question today is IF the parts are still available.

Enter your drill press brand and model into your favorite Internet search engine. Often scanned manuals are available in pdf format. Try less favorite search engines if your #1 doesn't work. I found one for my General brand drill press that I purchased off a government surplus site. Floor model complete with 'Property US Government' plate. 80's version.

I have had good luck with 30wt non-detergent oil for things like those motor bearings and lubricating the movable parts on the quill and spindle. Not unusual for some motors to have a bit of end to end movement in the rotor.

2nd on replacing the belt. If it sat unused for a long time, the belt may have taken a set and have a couple of lumps where it was wrapped around the pulleys for years. Could be the original belt.

Re: Drill Press and Question
 

Just to wrap around on what I found I thought I’d post back.
Took the old belt off and the motor runs smooth. Little play end to end but seems pretty tight bearing wise.
Got a new belt on it and she runs fine.
Did get me a Wilton 4” vise to bolt on when I need it.

Re: Drill Press and Question
 

Very cool old drill press.!!!

Re: Drill Press and Question
 

To close this out, found a repop head badge for the drill press. Building a solid stand for it now so it doesn't take up room on the work bench.