Thread: Servian Benchtop Drill Press

I find the 3 pulley system to be a pain.
We had a pedestal Waldon radial where I last worked with that set up.
I had to drill hundreds of 2mm holes in thin ply and occasionally use Forster bits up to 100mm dia.
So to go from max fast to dead slow involved removing and replacing both belts.
I used to go next door and use the Arboga in the tool room.
A gear change drill is much easier but the wood shavings upset the guys plus things were oily.
In my shed I now have an Arboga in the metal area and a two pulley Waldon bench radial in wood.
Another thing to check is the method of lifting the drill table.
I have an old scissor car jack under the Waldon.
The Arboga has a decent rack.
If you are lifting a heavy table by hand from the front you are liable to stuff your back as they tend to jam unless you lift around the column. I you lift from the front of the table it tilts and jams on the column.
I used to get around the back of my old Richardson pedestal to heave up its table, it was a pain.
Oz made stuff was good but an Arboga might be in your price range if you look around,depends what you’re planning on doing and if you have 3 phase.
H.

Yeah belts are annoying

These guys make a DC direct drive small milling machine.
SIEG X2.7 Mill

But it's electrically controlled variable speed. Just turn the knob and the speed cranks up. How mobs still think it's cheaper and easier to go the old belt drive rather then just direct. Plus the much more precise speed control.

Originally Posted by clear out

I find the 3 pulley system to be a pain.
We had a pedestal Waldon radial where I last worked with that set up.
I had to drill hundreds of 2mm holes in thin ply and occasionally use Forster bits up to 100mm dia.
So to go from max fast to dead slow involved removing and replacing both belts.
I used to go next door and use the Arboga in the tool room.
A gear change drill is much easier but the wood shavings upset the guys plus things were oily.
In my shed I now have an Arboga in the metal area and a two pulley Waldon bench radial in wood.
Another thing to check is the method of lifting the drill table.
I have an old scissor car jack under the Waldon.
The Arboga has a decent rack.
If you are lifting a heavy table by hand from the front you are liable to stuff your back as they tend to jam unless you lift around the column. I you lift from the front of the table it tilts and jams on the column.
I used to get around the back of my old Richardson pedestal to heave up its table, it was a pain.
Oz made stuff was good but an Arboga might be in your price range if you look around,depends what you’re planning on doing and if you have 3 phase.
H.

I've got an Arboga with a Servian badge on it and its biggest problem v's a belt drive is the noise of the gear train but with a VFD on it the speed changes are effortless. I use it for everything wood, metal, plastics etc with no problems and I wouldn't go back to a belt drive for a bet. There is one other issue that becomes apparent with a gear head drill and that is if it is stopped too fast when using a keyless chuck the chuck will release and the bit drops out.

Originally Posted by havabeer69

Yeah belts are annoying

These guys make a DC direct drive small milling machine.
SIEG X2.7 Mill

But it's electrically controlled variable speed. Just turn the knob and the speed cranks up. How mobs still think it's cheaper and easier to go the old belt drive rather then just direct. Plus the much more precise speed control.

These look like a great alternative... but is there a catch? Why do I not hear of more woodworkers using milling machines? Have you had experience using these in hardwood? Sorry if this is obvious, just never come across it before.