Thread: Is This Waldown Worth Buying?

Go for it it will be better and outsast any of the cheap imported junk

I would say the biggest thing to test for is the obvious one; grab the shaft and see if there's any play.
Also, if you can get power to it, put a drill bit in and see if it spins true.

Other than that I can't think of much else. As long as everything that should move does and everything that shouldn't doesn't, it will probably be the last drill press you need to buy.

No 'arc of shame' on the table, too!

Originally Posted by thumbsucker

I am in need of a drill press and I am looking at a USED Waldown - Pedestal Drill.
Specification: MT - 2mt Power - 0.5hp, 3 Phase Year - 1962

Features: Half Inch Belt Drive. Cast Iron Body Australian Made

Price: $390+GST

It looks like its not to rusted out. I am thinking of going to have a look at it in person, what problems should I look out / test for? And how?

The machine is three phase and I will need to convert it to single. I have done this conversion with a bandsaw is it much the same with a drill press? A new motor will cost about $275 plus $390+GST for the drill press so it will come to about $704.

I most definitely wouldn't put a single phase motor on it as that would devalue it.

I'd be getting that motor converted to a ∆ connect and putting a $140 SP 240V VFD on it.

There is a number of threads on the forum where people have restored very successfully these older Waldown drills. $390 is about half what the S/H dealers sell them for.

That particular model is a medium speed model particularly suited to wood work and smaller drills. So do check the speed range.
However, it is possile to get or make an intermediate pulley arrangement to enable dropping the speed sufficiently to drill up to 3/4" / 20mm holes in steel with it.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

grab the shaft and see if there's any play. Also, if you can get power to it, put a drill bit in and see if it spins true.

Other than that I can't think of much else. As long as everything that should move does and everything that shouldn't doesn't, it will probably be the last drill press you need to buy.

Exactly what I needed to know

Originally Posted by jhovel

That particular model is a medium speed model particularly suited to wood work and smaller drills.

That is great, I only do wood never do metals.

Originally Posted by Master Splinter

No 'arc of shame' on the table, too!

Yep Notices that myself.

Originally Posted by BobL

I'd be getting that motor converted to a ∆ connect and putting a $140 SP 240V VFD on it.

Sorry Bob but I have no clue what acronym soup "∆ connect and putting a $140 SP 240V VFD" means could you translate or explain for the non technical/mechanical types?

Originally Posted by thumbsucker

Sorry Bob but I have no clue what acronym soup "∆ connect and putting a $140 SP 240V VFD" means could you translate or explain for the non technical/mechanical types?

It means having the coils inside the motor changed from Y - Star to a ∆ - Delta configuration. Fiddly but not real difficult, a few of the guys do their own, requires soldering iron, heat shrink, multi meter etc. Or get it done professionally. Wiring the motor in ∆ - Delta will make it compatible with the VFD (Variable Frequency Drive), this will basically give you a 3 phase output for a 240V power source/plug.

Basically I would need to rewire the motor - this is beyond my skill set so I will have to pay someone to do it for me. Plus it would be the safe way of doing it. I do not play with electrical things that could kill me.

Can I not simple buy a motor that is already ∆ - Delta configuration?

I am looking at a view youtube vids regarding Variable-frequency drive.

Does Variable-frequency drive mean the modification of my house single phase power point on the wall in the workshop? If yes then I cannot do a Variable-frequency drive since I rent and my agent would never allow me to change the electric wiring of the house.

The VFD is just a small plastic box that gets fitted to the machine (or hung on the wall) it goes between the normal house hold 240 plug and the motor on the machine. You could think of it like a electronic power supply/adapter you may have with a laptop. It will give you variable speed control, variable soft start/ shut down etc.


You would need only a 1Hp unit as I think the Waldown will be 1/2HP but this is the type of VFD
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3HP-2-2KW...item1c398488a6

Have a look at the VFD threads on here also there is a good one I think Bob did fitting VFD to his drill.

Thanks DSEL74 that makes sense now.

Just out of interest, does this Variable-frequency drive thingy work on any three phase machine. Could I buy a three phase thicknesser / jointer / etc etc and add a Variable-frequency drive to it?

It seems to be a much cheaper option then those single phase to three phase converters I have seen that run into the $4000 plus range why would you use one instead of the other?

I'm far from the expert on the VFDs there are much better informed, experienced, and qualified people on here that can get into detail with you.

But the simplistic answer is yes. You need a VFD per machine unless you want to reprogram it every time you switch it between machine (not really a viable option). The bigger the motor the more expensive the VFD once you get into 5HP and bigger your paying $$$. So a phase converter I think they are called you can move about and plug into various machines or some multiple machines is my vague understanding. So I guess it depends on how many machines you have.

Also make sure your getting Single to 3Ph VFD when you order one they also come in 3ph to 3ph and single to single.

I have made a time for next Tuesday to go and insect the drill press.

If it looks good then I will need to find a way to have it moved to my place.

Originally Posted by thumbsucker

Basically I would need to rewire the motor - this is beyond my skill set so I will have to pay someone to do it for me. Plus it would be the safe way of doing it. I do not play with electrical things that could kill me.

Sure - I can appreciate and respect that but in terms of headaches installing an SP motor can also be just as complicated.
Have a read of this thread https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...18#post1865218 to see how messy it can get.
If you have to start cutting new keyways or getting bushes or pulleys turned on a metal work lathe that might also be out of your skill range.
I'd only recommend VFD to someone like yourself if you can get someone to help you or do it for you.

Can I not simple buy a motor that is already ∆ - Delta configuration?

Yes you can although I was suggesting using a VFD so you could keep the original motor to maintain the value of the DP.
When the motor is converted from Y to ∆ the conversion can be done so as to enable it to be easily returned to Y so it can run direct on 415V 3P

In my shed I have 6 machines running on 1Ph to 3Ph VFDs. Three of these, the MW lathe, Drill press and the compressor run on used motors that are dual configuration ( 240V ∆ or 415V Y connectivity, i.e. I did not have to modify these motors) they all cost me $35 or less. These motors come up on classifieds like gum tree every now and then.

The original 415V Y connected motor will still run on a VFD but it will only generate 1/2 the power. An alternative to conversion is then to use a bigger motor. On my small (originally 1/2HP) WW lathe I use a 1HP Y connected motor and it works fine. However on something like a Waldon I would try and keep the original motor.

Does Variable-frequency drive mean the modification of my house single phase power point on the wall in the workshop?.

No