Drill Press replacement lifting column track

[Kartorbust]

My dad is giving me a circa 1980s Sunex SF-12 drill press. Main problem with it is that the lifting column track has been warped for a long time and will not allow the table surface to lower down very far. I cannot seem to locate a parts list at all, but apparently Sunex still makes this model to this day. However, my brother is thinking that the track might be a universal size, but I cannot confirm or deny this at all. Anyone ever had to replace this? Rather not have to buy a brand new drill press just because it is not in full working order.

 

[Denny]

Neither can I. Can you remove the track to straighten it or clearance it to clear?

 

[Kartorbust]

My dad and brother did try that, but it's almost like it needs to be pressed with several tons of force. So they tried several large clamps for a few weeks and it did nothing to straighten it out at all.

 

[Denny]

Can you take it to a machine shop or a older car dealership and use or have it pressed into shape? Should not cost too much.

 

[Kartorbust]

That's one thing I've thought of. It's still up in Minnesota, but next time my dad comes down for a visit, it's something he will bring with. It's still useable, just can't drop the table very far.

 

[Denny]

Yea, but if you can make it fully serviceable for a few bucks, why not?

 

[Kartorbust]

That is true. I do have access to a press at work. So I could bring it in and do it over my lunch break or something.

 

[Functional Artist]

It was made by man
...so, it can be fixed by man

Sometimes ya just gotta pretend your a Marine
...adapt
...overcome
...&/or figure it out

 

[Kartorbust]

Well that is true. That's why part of me was thinking just ordering a new part and replace it and maybe try to fix it.

 

[Denny]

If you got access to a press at work then why not? You have nothing to loose and everything to gain. Worst that happens is you still get to buy a new rack. You also could heat it up with an acetylene torch to white hot and bend it back and let it air cool slowly. Or bury it in hot vermiculite or sand and let it cool overnight.

 

[Kartorbust]

Apparently McMaster-Carr sells racks like this. Who'd thought? Well I'll have my dad bring it down next time he comes over and I'll see what I can do.

 

[madprofessor]

McMaster-Carr sells a lot of different size and style drill presses, and I know a way past ago boss of mine bought some repair stuff from them for the shop. Therefore I just looked them up out of curiosity, and see that they have a filter for presses they sell for chuck travel from 1.5" to 11", and for various weight capacities of the tables, but saw nothing in the way of parts for that travel to the tables.
Ain't not means it t'aint dere.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Bend, bend, break! 1-800-MCMASTER

 

[madprofessor]

Bend, bend, break!

Must be a spy in my shop leaking my fixit secrets.

 

[Kartorbust]

Hopefully this weekend my dad and brother will get a chance to measure the rack for me, then give McMaster a jingle about a replacement one.

Also need to look for replacement belts. May spend the money and get cogged v-belts since I guess they run cooler and grip the pulleys better, anyone confirm this?

 

[madprofessor]

Cogbelts only have one single purpose, to bend tightly around the smaller diameter pulleys without cracking over time.
However, I've used them to replace standard V-belts when customers didn't want to fork over $300 for a new adjustable sheave pulley, belt, and labor because theirs was squealing in an aggravating manner on startup or even when steady, thanks to a vertically grooved-out sheave. Have had some good luck with them running quieter than standard V-belts, although it doesn't last.