Thread: Waldown NH Type

I watched one similar in in very good condition on ebay or grays recently, maybe you are the lucky one that got that one. Looking at the speed range plate shown in pic 1, you have a range from 3000 to 12000, or 18000RPM, depending on whether you have the high speed belt system.

At that sort of speed range the unit is definitely intended for small drills eg drilling PCBs etc. 3K is pretty well the upper limit for 3mm 1/8inch bits and is the lowest speed you have available. From memory the motor is a moderately powered high speed motor, rather than a 1/4 to 1/3 horse low speed induction motor common to the typical 1/2 in cap bench drill.

While I can see the temptation to try a larger capacity chuck, it would be difficult/expensive to get one with the required precision and balance, and you would be overheating and damaging bits anyway. Remember the 12K to 18K speed range is getting into router territory as far as speed is concerned, and even slight imbalance or a misloaded bit would be instant disaster at those speeds.

On the other hand, I have an earlier NH model with 12000 max RPM and it came with a 1/4" chuck.
Mine has a 1/2HP 1440rpm 3-phase motor, by the way.
I run it on VFD and replced the chuck with a 3/8" sized one.
If my 1/4" one fits, you are welcome to it (pay forward principle, of course).

Thanks Malb and Joe

Re Malb, I think advice good - key point for me is that at minimum speed of 3000rpm, probably burn 3.5mm bit - need gentle touch and flood of cutting oil. I don't really envisage using this machine much but is a thing of beauty that I indulged in..Waldown stuff is good Australian quality that we have lost.

Joe, my motor specs from memory have 2850rpm 3 phase motor (forget wattage) - hence high 3000rpm min speed. It just dawned on me that I could (but won't) re-power with small 3 phase 1440w motor and halve all the speeds on the plate..make it more usable in more circumstances...but I don't want to spoil original condition.

It also has tiny, thin belt, driven off flat aluminium pulleys - presumably because v belts would shake about too much at the high spindle speeds.

David

Originally Posted by jhovel

On the other hand, I have an earlier NH model with 12000 max RPM and it came with a 1/4" chuck.
Mine has a 1/2HP 1440rpm 3-phase motor, by the way.
I run it on VFD and replced the chuck with a 3/8" sized one.
If my 1/4" one fits, you are welcome to it (pay forward principle, of course).

Sorry Joe

Pressed send too fast. Thanks for nice offer of 1/4" chuck. Will keep in mind. Won't be able to run machine until I get 3 phase installed to shed (for other machines - Douglas Shaper (will restore original 3 phase motor), Hercus ARM (ditto) and Dainichi multipurpose lathe/mill/shaper/drill (under restoration - see pics under "Mistubishi Lathe" thread in metalwork forum).

David