Grandfathers old Progress No1

[Ferg BroadhurstParticipant @fergbroadhurst74403]

Hello all>>

> >

I've inherited a few things from my Grandfathers metalwork shop. The main item is this Progress no1 Pillar drill. Most of my google searching brings up this excellent site – hope someone could help>>

Main question – he was running tablink belting on it, he only stood around 5 ft so perhaps wasn't an issue for him but with me at 6'' this belt is directly in my eye line and bothers me (I duck down to use it) – Looks like it needs replacing, is tablink considered reasonable in this application or should I be looking for a bespoke belt?>>

Coming from more of an electrical engineering and quadcopter field I’m tooled up with 3d printers so was thinking of modelling a new cover for the belt / pulleys – I'd probably print it in PETG, would at least save me from a belt throw but would likely need replacing in that event – obviously a real cover would be ideal – anywhere I should be trawling for this part or is Ebay going to be the best bet?>>

Afraid I made the electrics safe running the motor direct to a proper rotary and EM stop (that I have not placed ideally yet) – hope this isn't sacrilege – have seen some lovely refurb projects on here – has given me ideas..>>

https://imgur.com/8B30d22

https://imgur.com/Ok1HhcB

[Ferg BroadhurstParticipant @fergbroadhurst74403]

[Ferg BroadhurstParticipant @fergbroadhurst74403]

Proper links to pics

**LINK**

**LINK**

[Martin CargillParticipant @martincargill50290]

If you want to equip a pillar drill with an emergency stop its worth considering a kick stop. The operation of a pillar drill tends to involve you holding either the part being drilled or holding a vice with your left hand and operating the quill with your right hand. If something goes wrong (normally involving the drill sticking in the hole) which one do you let go to stop the drill……….A kick stop allows you to stop the drill without letting go with either hand.

Martin

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

How about getting a sheet of acrylic / polycarbonate, cut to approx' size, fix it centrally to the machine, then use a heat gun to form around the shape of the drill … fix brackets or drill / tap to fix… you would only need enough to reach back to 1/2 way, front to back… sorted, worth giving it some thought.

George.

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Hello Ferg,

This will bump up your query for others to add their comments on the motor aspects, I hadn't seen your post before so welcome aboard.

Tablink belting is fine, I see no need to change it but a belt cover would be a good idea. The originals were made from sheet metal with a domed top and ribbing running from front to back, but a fabricated cover in whatever you are happy to work with would be an immediate improvement.

I have a New Progress Number 1 which is a bench mounted drill, the height to the top of the casting onto which a belt cover closes down is 66 inches. With my height at about 5' 6" that is no problem but I suppose your extra 6 inches brings the belt to nearer eye line.

Why not mount it up on packing blocks off the bench to raise it? Crouching to use it will be tiring and unsatisfactory. I do recommend bolting it down though; drill snatch in say 1/2 inch on break through could make these top heavy machines topple over or even try to spin on the bench.

I can't post pictures here, there is some conflict with the process that hides the activate button but if you would like some, send me a PM with your email address.

Kind regards

Brian

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Having read the comments by others, I would endorse the foot control or do what I did and have a 'panic' rail that trips an OFF button that you can lean on in extremis

Brian

[VicParticipant @vic]

On the belt question I’m pretty sure I bought a belt from Halfords when I first got my Progress number 1.

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