Thanks for the info C.J.
The speed control is really a necessity for horizontal milling of steel. I recently finished fitting a triple pulley set to the Astra. It was from a cheap pillar drill. The previous owner of my machine had fitted a washing machine motor with a home made basic variable speed capability. The motor did not produce sufficient torque with the pulley arrangement he had. The additional reduction and choice of ranges provided by the new pulley set has made a world of difference. I can now actually remove metal with the Astra.
I was using the Astra before lunch for drilling some holes in a Quorn component. I had overlooked the holes prior to assembly which made the job a bit tight, but I got away with it.
Jim