My Craftsman Drill Press (113.213150 - Made in Taiwan) has a lot of play in the quill, especially at at the full end of the travel. This play is greater along the X axis (in mill terms) than along the Y axis. (More side to side than front to back.)
Yesterday, I finally got around to taking the whole thing apart. All the bearings seem fine with no noticeable play.
I don't understand the quill adjustment screw - just in front of the return spring. It has 2 flats, and rides in a groove in the quill. However it can only turn about 10 degrees before it jams into the sides of the slot. If this is to limit front to back movement, it seem the groove in the quill should be much deeper to give a bigger bite on the walls of the groove. If it is to control side to side movement, it seems I should be able to turn it more than 10 degrees.
My solution, so far, is to cut a new screw with the end turned down to a snug fit in the groove. I made it out of brass so I won't be damaging the quill. This should allow much better adjustment for side to side play, but will not give me any front to back adjustment.
My search on YouTube found videos for adjusting Delta and Ryobi DP and both of them mentioned that the flats were on the same axis as the slot of the screw. That makes me think I am missing something if all 3 brands (or at least 2 brands - who knows who made the Craftsman) are using the same design.
Yesterday, I finally got around to taking the whole thing apart. All the bearings seem fine with no noticeable play.
I don't understand the quill adjustment screw - just in front of the return spring. It has 2 flats, and rides in a groove in the quill. However it can only turn about 10 degrees before it jams into the sides of the slot. If this is to limit front to back movement, it seem the groove in the quill should be much deeper to give a bigger bite on the walls of the groove. If it is to control side to side movement, it seems I should be able to turn it more than 10 degrees.
My solution, so far, is to cut a new screw with the end turned down to a snug fit in the groove. I made it out of brass so I won't be damaging the quill. This should allow much better adjustment for side to side play, but will not give me any front to back adjustment.
My search on YouTube found videos for adjusting Delta and Ryobi DP and both of them mentioned that the flats were on the same axis as the slot of the screw. That makes me think I am missing something if all 3 brands (or at least 2 brands - who knows who made the Craftsman) are using the same design.