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cole1.jpg
cole2.jpg
cole3.jpg

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These are pictures of the legendary "Cole" drill. Posted by 
Bob Powell <bobp@dogpatch.com>. Bob provided the following 
description:

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These are three photos of Cole hand-powered drill in action.  In case
you ever spot one at a flea market, or alternately purchase one from
Guy Lautard at   http://www.lautard.com   (the "Unusual Tools" link).

The example pictured is pretty old and does not have the same spindle
as the model presently for sale.  It may differ in other ways, I
don't know.  The spindle is a straight 1/2" dia socket with a single
setscrew.  Special drills may have been sold for it with flat shanks
but for the handful of drills I've ever used, I just ground a small
flat for the screw, far enough up the shank to not interfere with use
in a regular chuck.

I don't anticipate ever using the Cole for holes smaller than 1/2",
so the lack of handy 1/2" shank drills for smaller holes is not a
problem.  But I have read that they were made long ago.

The photos show using the Cole with a 17/32" drill to drill holes
through the 1/2" thick flange of a W10x30 structural I-beam.  The
piece clamped to the top of the beam is the piece that is to
eventually be bolted to the beam, after further welding and
finishing.  I drilled that piece first and am using it as a drill jig
to get the holes in exact alignment.

The unique feature of the Cole is the screw-feed quill.  The large
nut just below the crank is turned to advance the drill into the
work.  Turn the nut, crank the handle a few times, turn the nut etc.
The screw feed creates a drill point pressure of over 500 lbs which
causes it to cut a continuous chip, in some cases cutting nearly as
fast as a drill press.  Or at least, in the same realm.

Bob Powell
Vashon Island, WA
bobp@dogpatch.com