Has anyone seen one of these pillar drills before?

[Lewis CobbParticipant @lewiscobb93613]

Hi Folks –

Greetings from Canada. I recently came into possession of of this old pillar drill. I found it sitting under a blanket of snow beside the trash at a local business where I know a lot of people and managed to convince them to take the forklift and put it back inside in a corner until I can figure out a way to transport it.

A bit of asking around, and I have learned that it does work, but only in the slow gear. Mind you, when I took the top cover off, the variable speed drive system belt was loose and flopping around so perhaps it just needs to be adjusted.

To call this machine stout is a vast understatement. It must sit about 4 feet high, 3 feet deep and 2 feet wide, and weigh north of 250 kg. "Beast" would be more descriptive. The logo seems to refer to a company called "Qualters & Smith" and the model number is QDM 78. Digging on the net has revealled very little info, other than the company was bought out some time ago by another firm.

If anyone can shed more light on this or perhaps know of where I might be able to find a parts diagram or manual it would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Lewis

[IMG]http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn286/LHC_02/PIllar%20Drill/PIllarDrill1_zps63e6b373.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn286/LHC_02/PIllar%20Drill/PillarDrill2_zps88fd0a07.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn286/LHC_02/PIllar%20Drill/PillarDrill7_zps3e1617d6.jpg[/IMG]

[Lewis CobbParticipant @lewiscobb93613]

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Hello Lewis,

I tried to load the photos, but just got a repeat of this thread., so can't help you directly

Qualters and Smith were UK makers, noted mainly for powered hacksaws. Try Tony Griffiths site http://www.lathes.co.uk for information, he includes machine tools other than lathes

Regards Brian

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Hi Lewis,
Hopefully adding these link will make life easier for others.

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

Les.

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

Thats not a pillar drill, its a very desirable milling machine!! Lovely!

[NilochParticipant @niloch]

Posted by fizzy on 30/03/2013 15:25:36:

………its a very desirable milling machine!!

I really must go to Specsavers, I can see neither an x nor a y axis! Isn't the junction between the bed/table and the remainder of the machine rather slender? Is it a marriage?

[MichaelRParticipant @michaelr]

HI, Maybe some info here

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

I hope you have a substantial bench to put it on. It may have a power feed in the Z axis – there must be something good in that top box. Probably 3 phase.

[Lewis CobbParticipant @lewiscobb93613]

Posted by Les Jones 1 on 30/03/2013 14:54:47:

Hi Lewis,
Hopefully adding these link will make life easier for others.

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

Les.

Les – thanks – I monkeyed something up trying to link to the pictures.

[Lewis CobbParticipant @lewiscobb93613]

Posted by Speedy Builder5 on 30/03/2013 17:48:00:

I hope you have a substantial bench to put it on. It may have a power feed in the Z axis – there must be something good in that top box. Probably 3 phase.

It's 3 phase for sure – the nameplate on the motor revealled that. I suspect the coolant pump motor is 3 phase as well. Both motors are almost identical to the ones I have on an old Raglan 5" that I am currently restoring, and probably will be restoring for some time….

Thanks,

Lewis

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Les,

Oh bother !

That helpful explanation seems to have put the text under the adverts.

It's a fragile little thing, this forum software !

MichaelG.

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Request to any of the moderators. Could you prease delete my post at 18:44:55 today as it seems to be causing a problem for people using some browsers.

Sorry to cause a problem.

Les.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Is it not a radial drill i.e. one where you can move the head in,out and round about?

Neil

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Better nip back to that factory and see if you can find the manual – it looks like they were printed using gold leaf

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Stub Mandrel on 30/03/2013 20:42:12:

Is it not a radial drill i.e. one where you can move the head in,out and round about?

Neil

.

Neil,

Here is a Kerry Radial arm drill

… They obviously knew how to build machines !

MichaelG.

[Lewis CobbParticipant @lewiscobb93613]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 31/03/2013 05:59:50:

Posted by Stub Mandrel on 30/03/2013 20:42:12:

Is it not a radial drill i.e. one where you can move the head in,out and round about?

Neil

.

Neil,

Here is a Kerry Radial arm drill

… They obviously knew how to build machines !

MichaelG.

Makes the one I have look rather tiny !!

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Lewis,

"Small but perfectly formed", I would say.

Restore that to its former glory, and it will be a friend for life.

MichaelG.

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

I assumed the x-y bed had been removed – sure looks like it would mill – there may be some indcation of its inteded use by looking at the head speeds?

[Lewis CobbParticipant @lewiscobb93613]

Posted by fizzy on 01/04/2013 21:07:48:

I assumed the x-y bed had been removed – sure looks like it would mill – there may be some indcation of its inteded use by looking at the head speeds?

Fizzy –

I'm pretty sure its a drill press only – even though it looks heavy enough to mill with.

I'll take a look at the speeds though the next time I get into the place where its stored.

Cheers,

Lewis

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

I think you will find its a Qualters and Smith power-feed drilling machine. Very handy for thick plate and large holes.

It is probably sturdy enough to be used as a milling machine for model work with the addition of an x-y table and a suitable milling cutter holder/collets.

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