FILENAMES:

drill_press_lift2.jpg
drill_press_lift3.jpg

DESCRIPTION:

These are pictures of a lift mechanism added to a drillpress. 

Posted by Terry May <tmay@us.hsanet.net>. 

The following description was provided:

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There has been some discussion in the rec.crafts.metalworking group 
about drill press table lifts. The attached photos show what I have 
been using for about eight years now.  It's a salvaged gear motor 
with a ball screw ram that came from a hospital bed. I attached it 
to the drill press column with a wooden clamping arrangement and did 
not attach it directly to the table. The second photo shows a steel 
"finger" which engages the table casting underneath and as close as 
practical to the column. This method provides lift and support to the 
table and still allows 360 degrees of horizontal freedom to swing the 
table side to side.  

To operate the lift there is a simple center off switch ( also salvaged 
from the bed ) which is used for up and down motion. The table clamp is
released before turning on the switch of course. Gravity provides the 
downward motion for the table as the motor drives in the lower direction.
I have had no problems with the system, the only maintenance is to keep 
the column clean and lightly lubricated to ease the motion.

Terry May