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  1. #1
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    Default Parken Drill Press "Eye-Candy"

    A couple of days ago I took receipt of my new drill press. If you’re anything like me, you’ll love to have a look at the photos. Obviously my thoughts/review are biased – I’ve been looking for an “ultimate” woodworking drill press for a long time, and this seems to fit the bill for me. Also, it seems like there are not a lot of pictures of the newer Parken presses on the internet, and so these pictures may be of use to others looking for a high quality, Australian made machine.

    The specifications are as follows:
    Weight = 192kg
    Quill Travel = 160mm
    Quill Diameter = 62mm
    Throat Depth (space between column and bit) = 260mm
    Column Diameter = 90mm
    Table = 380mm dia.
    Speeds with VFD = 10 – 8,600RPM
    Maximum distance spindle nose to table = 724mm
    Maximum distance spindle nose to base = 1173
    Spindle is MT3

    The machine weighed in at 295kg on the delivery note, which is indicative of how well it was packed for shipping. I’m dirty on myself for not taking decent photos of the crate from a distance. Sorry. The machine arrived in perfect condition:
    IMG_3482.jpg

    I absolutely loved visiting the Parken Engineering factory and meeting Michael Haussegger. According to Michael, his father, “Pardy” Haussegger, and his business partner (Ken – sorry I’ve forgotten his surname) started Parken Engineering in 1945. The “Par” comes from the father’s name, and the “Ken” comes from the business partner, to form the brand “Parken”. Parken first made little toy steam engines for 5 quid each. They are now making and selling the very same engines today. I bought one and it is awesome to run!
    IMG_3316.jpg

    The brick portion of the factory is original to 1945, while the tin shed in the background is a large expansion that took place around 1972 when Michael and his brother Karl purchased Parken Engineering from their father.
    IMG_3305.jpg
    IMG_3306.jpg

    The original brass plate:
    IMG_3308.jpg

    Back to the press itself… The first problem was how to get an extremely heavy (and head heavy) press off the pallet! It took a bit of judicious muscling, my pallet trolley, and some of the crate timber, but finally, the press found the slab:
    IMG_3486.jpg
    IMG_3487.jpg
    IMG_3488.jpg

    So, here are the pictures of the machine itself. Hope you enjoy them. And no, that is not my “cyclone” to the left of the press, but a Vacumaid for the house. J
    IMG_3490.jpg

    More to come...
    Warm Regards, Luckyduck

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  3. #2
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    During my visit, I asked Michael Haussegger where the wing-like swoosh above the name came from. He said his father liked the red from Repco which accounts for the red colour, and the swoosh is meant to be wings joined together to symbolize the partnership between Pardy and Ken. I like knowing its history.
    IMG_3489.jpg

    Michael is extremely proud of this machine. I got the impression from him that Parken presses change over time, even from press to press. He says he and his brother are constantly looking for better designs and better ways of making the presses. I asked him about the heavy plastic balls on the handle, and he said they were Bakelite (the real stuff) still made a couple of blocks down the road. That handle pictured is a monster. It fits its hole so well that it does not slide down loosely, and yet can be pushed with a little pressure if it happens to get in the way. I reckon it would absolutely seize up if it became rusty – lucky it is chromed and polished, as is the press column, so rust is less of an issue. I love the heft of it.
    IMG_3491.jpg

    The Omron VFD has single phase in and outputs three phase for the 1.5kW S1 continuously duty rated motor. It is housed in a custom metal box towards the back of the press.
    IMG_3492.jpg

    The controls for the press are simple, and consist of an emergency stop (top), the forward/backward on/off switch (bottom), and the frequency control knob (middle). I was told that the reversing feature of this press is for tapping threads, a feature which I don’t plan to use any time soon.
    IMG_3493.jpg

    This press has an integrated LED adjustable light, which does the job nicely. It is an “always on” light which I thought would be annoying. However, in reality, since I have to turn off the power to the press in order to power down the VFD, I don’t miss a light switch.
    IMG_3494.jpg

    Some of the features of this machine are very exciting. For example, the depth stop setup is amazing. On the right side is the production stop with the usual double nut to ensure consistency. By the way, Parken say the quill travel on this machine is 140mm; I just measured it at 160mm! The threads are nicely made as the nuts move up and down the shaft more quickly than expected.
    IMG_3506.jpg
    IMG_3514.jpg

    On the left side is a heavy duty, machined aluminium measuring system for depth, with an easy zeroing mechanism. You can see the laser engraved numbering on the two halves. All one has to do is line up the “0” marks when the drill bit is resting on the surface of the timber to be drilled. As long as the hole depth is not absolutely critical (which it often is not), I can tell instantly how deep the hole is. For critical hole depths, I simply move the production stop nuts into place on the right. It’s a good system I think. (Sorry I haven't cleaned it up real well yet so the alu is not as shiny in the picture as it should be.)
    IMG_3504.jpg
    Warm Regards, Luckyduck

  4. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by LuckyDuck View Post
    . And no, that is not my “cyclone” to the left of the press, but a Vacumaid for the house. ...
    I hope that is not venting inside your shed?

  5. #4
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    The press table is monstrous. It does not tilt, which may bother some. However, I’ve been a woodworker for 25 years and have never had occasion to tilt a press table. It’s a feature I can do without. One of the things I hated most about my previous press was the fact that my table was never reliably square to the quill/bit. If I shimmed it square in one position, as soon as I cranked the table to another level it would be out of square again. I asked Michael how to adjust for square – he said you don’t. I was surprised. But he invited me to look at the size of the machined casting. It’s engineered and built to be square from the beginning, and to remain so. Indeed!
    IMG_3495.jpg
    IMG_3496.jpg

    The table has an indexing pin at the back, which allows for twelve positions. This is a feature I’m not too excited about using, although the pin lock is beautifully made. Can you guys think of a reason why we would need this feature in woodwork? Maybe for a clock?
    IMG_3502.jpg

    The mechanism for raising and lowering the table rides in a thrust bearing at the bottom. This is just a bit better than my previous press, which just rode in a groove! The action of moving the table from side to side is sweet.
    IMG_3510.jpg

    The pulleys are beautifully made and must be well balanced considering that the top speed of this press is 8600RPM. There is no perceptible vibration. A single belt serves to connect the motor to the quill as the VFD eliminates the necessity for a center pulley to achieve the full RPM range. You can see in the pictures that the lowest RPM range has a wider belt for better power transfer. The press shipped with two belts; the narrower one is pictured.
    IMG_3497.jpgIMG_3498.jpgIMG_3499.jpg

    This machine comes with a MT3 quill. I purchased two integrated arbor Albrecht keyless drill chucks for the press. The bigger one (3-16mm) is on back order; the smaller one (1-13mm) is pictured. It is truly a lovely mechanism. I don’t know if the hype about Albrechts is justified, but it certainly is lovely to use.
    IMG_3509.jpgIMG_3507.jpg

    Overall, I’m delighted with the press. Its 160mm quill travel is a big step up on my previous press which had 55mm of travel. Also, there is a lot to like about the 260mm of space between column and bit. I can’t wait to read more posts on building a square table and fence to bolt on to this bad boy.

    However, before I sign off on this post, and apologies for its length as it is, I should point out a few criticisms of this machine, which may or may not be helpful to other potential buyers.


    1. The VFD gives off an annoying high pitched noise, especially at low frequencies. It is not particularly loud, but for someone who has tinnitus from being careless with hearing protection earlier in life, it means that I have to wear muffs while using the press. Are all VFDs “pitchy”? Are some worse than others?
    2. While the measure system for measuring depth is beautiful, it could be more accurate. By about 60mm, it is out by 0.5mm, and out by 1mm at 100mm of stroke travel. For its intended use, I don’t think this matters too much, but…
    3. The motor is Chinese made. What the!? I would have thought it should be Australian or at least European. I expressed surprise and Michael was not defensive. He said he has been using this brand of motor for some time (brought in by Lafert) and has zero hesitation in using it. He offered to source a Lafert motor (Italian) from his supplier if I wanted. I didn’t want to pay the extra so I went with Michael’s recommendation on the Wonder. It will probably outlast me anyway which goes to show my bias against Chinese-made tools.
    4. I wish Parken offered a square table option on this machine. This is a small criticism, but a criticism nonetheless.


    Just to be clear, I have no vested interest or connection whatsoever with Parken Engineering. I’m just a happy customer who loves woodworking with machines and tools, powered and unpowered, and wish to share some “eye candy” with you all.

    Cheers
    Warm Regards, Luckyduck

  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    I hope that is not venting inside your shed?
    Ahh, it's good to chuckle. Thank you.

    You'll be pleased to know that it vents outside, and it does not have a filter! Hmm, and no dust or hair or bum fluff in the pool either!
    Warm Regards, Luckyduck

  7. #6
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    It does look like a really nice machine and it shows that it is well above most of the presses we see on showroom floors. Can I ask the question......"owmuch?

    With the flood of Asian machines we see here its great to see a local company turning out quality gear
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  8. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by chambezio View Post
    It does look like a really nice machine and it shows that it is well above most of the presses we see on showroom floors. Can I ask the question......"owmuch?

    With the flood of Asian machines we see here its great to see a local company turning out quality gear
    G'day chambezio:

    Yeah, I didn't include the price in the first posts because it is cringe-worthy (for me too and I bought the damn thing). Priced right at $5k, and then there's the delivery (couple hundred) and the chucks ($344 and $386, for the 1-13mm and 3-16mm Albrechts with integrated arbors). It added up real fast.

    There is not a lot of difference between the variable speed (VFD) and non-variable speed model in terms of physical specs (column, quill travel, etc.), and I believe it is a lot less expensive. I was just hanging out for the variable speed and was prepared to pay for it.

    Cheers
    Warm Regards, Luckyduck

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by LuckyDuck View Post


    The pulleys are beautifully made and must be well balanced considering that the top speed of this press is 8600RPM. There is no perceptible vibration. A single belt serves to connect the motor to the quill as the VFD eliminates the necessity for a center pulley to achieve the full RPM range. You can see in the pictures that the lowest RPM range has a wider belt for better power transfer. The press shipped with two belts; the narrower one is pictured.
    LD that machine sure does look great.

    The middle pair of pulleys look like a 1:1 so for the Chuck to do 10 rpm the motor must be doing ~10 RPM.
    Then to achieve an 860 fold increase in RPM on the same pulley the motor must be doing 8600 PRM at the top speed.

    What sort of frequency range is the VFD operating over to achieve this 860:1 RPM ratio.

    [EDIT]
    OK I re-read the post and now understand what is going on, but would still like to know what frequency range the VFD is being used over.

    The biggest to smallest pulleys have a 6:1 diameter ratio so the speed range ratio that the bottom and top pulley pairs generates is 36:1
    This means the VFD is operating over an 860/36 = 24:1 ratio which is fairly impressive.

  10. #9
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    Congratulations on your new toy, and many thanks for the comprehensive review.
    That machine is first class, and if made in Australia, even better.
    I will add one to my list of toys for when I win Lotto.

    Have a look at Fencefurnitures drill press table https://www.woodworkforums.com/f44/ne...l-deck-181639/ - I reckon it would look great on your new machine.

    Alan...

  11. #10
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    Nice drill, with a history in Aussie manufacture. I wonder how much of it is still manufactured, fabricated, machined etc in Australia?
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  12. #11
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    Hi Bob:

    As per my question regarding VFD noise, I have no experience with VFDs. Michael Haussegger quoted me the 10-8600RPM numbers. The Omron VFD is the 3G3MX2, for a 1.5kW motor.

    I think theoretically, I can wind down the frequency to 0, the spindle stops completely, and then as I wind it up just a tad, the spindle starts revolving very slowly. I've been told that VFDs can be torque-weak at the low end, so is it possible that the press can really dial down to 10RPM but not with much torque?

    I do know that at a super slow speed (I mean not spinning much at all -- very scientific hey?) I cannot stall the motor. If the belt is not tightened up, I am able to stop the spindle due to slippage, but when I make sure the belt is really tight on the pulleys, I am unable to stall the spindle by hand.

    Obviously, me being able to stall a smooth spindle by hand may not mean much when I chuck a big forstner bit and try to drill some hardwood at these speeds. Stay tuned on that.

    As for the upper end, Michael said he upgraded the spindle bearings with "high precision bearings" -- whatever that means. I know that at the highest speed, the press sounds more like a router than any drill press I've had experience with. It's quite spectacular. I've let it run for say 5 minutes at the highest speed and the quill felt VERY warm.

    Sorry, the above is rather untechnical and probably does not answer your query.
    Warm Regards, Luckyduck

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Uncle Al View Post
    Have a look at Fencefurnitures drill press table https://www.woodworkforums.com/f44/ne...l-deck-181639/ - I reckon it would look great on your new machine.

    Alan...
    Hi Alan:

    Thanks for the fencefurniture table. Awesome!

    David
    Warm Regards, Luckyduck

  14. #13
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    It's much less about the VFD and more about the motor.

    Most 3 phase motors are made robustly with quality bearings so they can run above their rated rpm by some factor.

    50Hz 2880 RPM two pole motors are typically made to also handle 60Hz or 3600 rpm (some are dual badged as 50/60 Hz) so they use the same bearings and physical structure.
    In terms of cooling most can also go a little faster because their internal fans will cool them accordingly, up to a point.
    100 Hz or 5600 rpm is pushing it a bit far for these motors so something like 75 Hz or 4200 rpm is often used as a top end.
    At the low frequency end, 10 Hz (600 rpm) is considered by some to be to low to generate enough motor ,cooling so to be conservative some folks use 20 Hz (1200 rpm).
    So a generic 3 phase 2 pole motor that has a range of 10 to 75 Hz has a hi-lo frequency ratio of ~8:1

    A quality 4 pole motors (1440 rpm @50 Hz) may use the same bearings as 2 pole motors so they may be able to safely use higher frequency than two pole motors. 100 Hz operation (2880 rpm) is usually possible and 3600 rpm (120 Hz) may even be possible. Assuming a low end frequency of 10 Hz this gives a max hi-lo frequency ratio of 12:1

    What I'm saying is your motor (even using its range of Pulleys) has a hi-lo ratio of 24:1 which is pretty good as that would be equivalent to 5 - 120 Hz.
    However to reach 10 rpm using the 6:1 gear reduction that is equivalent to a frequency of 60 rpm or 1 Hz which I find impressive
    This would mean the motor has been especially designed to handle the cooling at this low speed.
    It would be interesting to know if the motor uses a fan that is independent of the VFD.

    I assume the VFD still reads the frequency on its front display?
    If so then would you mind placing the belt on the slowest pulley range and turn the speed down so that it takes the chuck ~6 seconds to go around once (that's 10 RPM) and read the frequency off the VFD.
    Then turn it up to max and read the VFD frequency.

    Thanks

  15. #14
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    Good looking drill press, but I do question why one would need 8600RPM?

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    Quote Originally Posted by DSEL74 View Post
    Nice drill, with a history in Aussie manufacture. I wonder how much of it is still manufactured, fabricated, machined etc in Australia?
    G'day DSEL74:

    Mate, I share your scepticism as statements like "Made in Australia" or "Made in German" don't necessarily mean that they are all or even mostly made in those countries.

    Parken Engineering is the real deal, it seems. I flew down (on frequent flyer points) to view the press myself as I didn't want to shell out that much without seeing the machine first.

    Michael and Karl have a team of guys working with them, but they genuinely make their machines onsite in their original 1945 and expanded 1972 premises. The place looks terrible on the outside, if I may say so.

    Inside appears to be an extensively fit-out engineering shop. I specifically asked Michael what he does not make on the press.

    - Steel casting: all steel is cast at a local foundry
    - Belt: European
    - Motor: Chinese
    - VFD: Japanese
    - Switchgear, forgot to ask
    - Handles: German origin (he told me but I forget the brand)

    But the rest of it is Parken. He told me how he fabricated the metal housing to hold the VFD, and lined it up with the pulley guard so that when the guard is open, everything looks nice and flush.

    He told me about the automatic switch he put into the guard so that the VFD cuts out as soon as the guard is opened. The little switch for the cut-out is mounted to a lovely little piece of alu angle, about 5mm thick. I noticed this and asked him about it. He said, yeah, it was just a piece of alu angle which he cut off, cleaned up and attached. Like "hand-made".

    He showed me his large milling machines -- they looked "large" to me. Swarf everywhere.

    He is very proud of the 12 point indexed table. The mechanism is exceptionally precise.

    He told me he sources the bearings locally there in Melbourne.

    The depth guage is partially machined aluminium which he said he did in-house, while the inner ring you can see in the pictures is actually cast steel, which he said he also machined in-house.

    When I asked him about the table and setting for square, he said Karl (brother) spent a long time setting up the machining to ensure that the table is exactly square.

    He said the Bakelite knobs on the handle were sourced from just down the road.
    He even made the spindle drift for removing chucks, nicely finished.

    Another tell-tale sign is that Michael's hands were rough -- the kind you get from hard work.

    I think I'm probably more passionate about this press because I went to the factory and met Michael. He is an older gentlemen who loves Parken and is very proud of it. I think his pride is justified and I loved meeting him.

    Cheers.
    Warm Regards, Luckyduck

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