Hi: Chicago machines are still being built, they are sold by Harbor Frieght. If u have info on the drill press like serial number and or model number ou may be able to get Chicago on the net. You may also locate Harbor frieght on the net and try them, they may be able to direct you to Chicago Machinery. Hope this helps...Woodnut65
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I have one of these!!
I actually have one of these Chicago drill presses that you speak of!
Actually, I sort of have it indirectly- it was my father's. He would know so much more about it, but unfortunately he passed away this July. It is circa 1970's- probably mid to late 70's. Reason I know this, is that when I was a little girl, the drill press was in my father's gunsmithing shop, in the early 80's. The drill press was near new then, and he was quite happy to have found it. When I got a little older to help out in Dad's shop- that was my drill press to work on.
I agree that it's truly built like a tank- and has withstood moving from 6 different locations of my father's shop as his business grew. I would also be interested in any information you might find on your Chicago Drill Press, because I'm researching values for this piece of equipment for his Estate currently.
But I can absolutely confirm, these things are built rock-solid, and are most DEFINITELY not Harbor Freight!
Hello Birchwood!
I actually have one of these Chicago drill presses that you speak of!
Actually, I sort of have it indirectly- it was my father's. He would know so much more about it, but unfortunately he passed away this July. It is circa 1970's- probably mid to late 70's. Reason I know this, is that when I was a little girl, the drill press was in my father's gunsmithing shop, in the early 80's. The drill press was near new then, and he was quite happy to have found it. When I got a little older to help out in Dad's shop- that was my drill press to work on.
I agree that it's truly built like a tank- and has withstood moving from 6 different locations of my father's shop as his business grew. I would also be interested in any information you might find on your Chicago Drill Press, because I'm researching values for this piece of equipment for his Estate currently.
But I can absolutely confirm, these things are built rock-solid, and are most DEFINITELY not Harbor Freight!
HI Birch
The key hole is to remove the harbor/chuck asm. the norm,,,
At one time I had a old drill press that had a set screw on the side of the main body that locked the quill in place but it did go just a bit more with a longer and smaller set screw that would lock the spindle in one spot.
You may want to look it over real well..but you're right a manual would be nice.
Also check the pull down handle device to see if they have a locking device on it, some have a turn cam that will lock the spindle in one spot..
when they use the press like a mill..but it's only on the hvy.duty drill press the norm.
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The key hole is to remove the harbor/chuck asm. the norm,,,
At one time I had a old drill press that had a set screw on the side of the main body that locked the quill in place but it did go just a bit more with a longer and smaller set screw that would lock the spindle in one spot.
You may want to look it over real well..but you're right a manual would be nice.
Also check the pull down handle device to see if they have a locking device on it, some have a turn cam that will lock the spindle in one spot..
when they use the press like a mill..but it's only on the hvy.duty drill press the norm.
=========
HI Birch
I should also say that this is not the normal way, you should have a stop on the press,right by the handle rods, it looks like a ring with a thumb screw or flip bolt the will lock the device from going pass the point you have it set for.
It works almost the same way you would set the router up, just zero out the drill bit on the stock then move it down 3/4" and lock it.
I use it all the time but I also have a digital depth on my drill press just for that.
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I should also say that this is not the normal way, you should have a stop on the press,right by the handle rods, it looks like a ring with a thumb screw or flip bolt the will lock the device from going pass the point you have it set for.
It works almost the same way you would set the router up, just zero out the drill bit on the stock then move it down 3/4" and lock it.
I use it all the time but I also have a digital depth on my drill press just for that.
===
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