Drill Press Speed Reducer

[GarageGuy]

I made one for my Delta DP-600 for the same reason. Lowest speed was 800 RPM, now it's 283 RPM. I fitted a steel slug into the open column for an intermediate pulley on a ball bearing shaft. It pulls right out and can be switched back to original in just a few minutes.

GG

 

[u50067]

In addition to the jack shaft pulley, I replaced the 1725 RPM motor with an 825 RPM motor. This reduced the spindle RPM to approx 135 RPM. I think the 825 motor was a direct drive fan motor. Am not sure but believe the fan motors on the outdoor AC units are slower speed motors and would likely be 230v motors. So check the RPMs of motors at sales, etc. I picked mine up at a pawn shop and have another approx 820 RPM 230v motor I found at an auction.

 

[jmarkwolf]

I've got a similar setup to Garage Guy on my 1956 Delta 15in drill press (pics below), that I inherited from my dad. Originally, I thought it was something he had fabricated to fit the top end of the column, because I'd never seen another on this model drill press. But I recently saw pictures of a nearly identical setup on a Missouri barn find drill press of the same make/model as mine.

Perhaps it was a kit, or someone published plans.

It's been working great on my drill press for many decades. I've never checked the speed ranges. I'll have to make a point of doing that once I get it all back together after the refurb.

But a 3-phase motor and VFD like Karl says would be a tempting solution.

 

[rwm]

Industrial sewing machine motor and controller:

 

[HarryJM]

1955 Delta 17-210 drill press/DP-600 drill press with a Delta 1 HP 3 phase motor and a KBMA-24D VFD for 1 phase 220 in and 3 phase 220 out.

 

[brino]

1955 Delta 17-210 drill press/DP-600 drill press with a Delta 1 HP 3 phase motor and a KBMA-24D VFD for 1 phase 220 in and 3 phase 220 out.

........and with the only holes in the table looking like symmetric vise mounting holes; NOT the usual "arc of shame"!
Nice!

Brian