Thread: Richardson Drill Press - Looking for some purchase advice

Anyone?

I have a mate who has a Richardson drill press. Nice solid and accurate drills. I prefer waldowns but both are excellent in their simplicity. Bearings are easily replaced if need be. $500 is at the upper end of that I, personally, would pay, but if everything is running nicely and it's still money well spent as that will outlast any new $500 pedestal drill.

Google search shows recent sales of the bench top style Richardson at well below $500. Whether a floor mount pedestal would attach a lot more $$, I'm not sure.

Welcome to the forum.

The drill pictured has the optional slow speed attachment as per the side offset motor mount. This provides additional lower speeds. In standard configuration, six speeds range from 350 RPM to 5500 RPM. With the slow speed attachment, you have eleven speeds from 90 RPM to 3200 RPM. This is very useful for metalwork and large drill bits. The original standard drill was marketed as a woodworking machine. This drill looks clean, but you should check for excessive backlash between the spindle splines and the drive pulley, which is zinc/aluminium diecast and prone to wear if not maintained. A 1/2 HP motor was the original fitment, but the motor in the photo looks larger, possibly 1 HP.

Chas.

Thank you all for the responses and the welcome. Chas your input is very much appreciated. You mentioned "... but you should check for excessive backlash between the spindle splines and the drive pulley, which is zinc/aluminium diecast and prone to wear if not maintained." May I ask how one carries out this check? From a layman's view are you basically saying to check for spindle run out?

Thanks

No, this is not related to spindle run-out. To perform a check for backlash, first unplug the machine from the power. Open the top belt guard and grasp the spindle pulley with one hand. With the other hand, grasp the bottom of the spindle and move each hand backward and forward in opposite directions, ie contrary to each other. Any relative movement is the backlash or clearance between the spindle and pulley splines. A small amount is to be expected.

Chas.

This is one of the later models as it is built by Sterling at Northmead (from the badge). The switch looks like a 3 phase drum reversing switch, and the motor appears to be a replacement. Is the drill 3 phase (415V) or single phase (240V)? <<EDIT>> I see that it is single phase <<EDIT>>

The spindle is the extended 2MT (morse taper) version, and there appears to be some MT tooling on the floor. The MT spindle allows for removal of the chuck (with a Morse Taper drift) and installation of MT drills, boring heads etc direct to the spindle.

The depth stop assembly and handles/knobs look to be complete. (These are usually the first parts to go missing).

Two tables is a plus...I'm always looking for somewhere to put things down...or mount a vice to one table, and leave the other clear. Swing in and out as required for the job at hand.

I have two of the Richardson drills, and they are great machines.

John

I was given one (single belt model), and it is great.
...However, it has had a 240v / single phase motor put under the original rear pulley and it wasn't a good job. I only use up to the half fastest speed as the pulley is loose on the shaft.
Something to check.
AndrewOC

When checking for wear move the spindle through its operating range.
It won't have much wear at the top and bottom of its movement but may have a fair bit midway.
The morse taper is number 2, if you can get a basic set of morse taper drills thrown in at that price it's an ok deal.
Had a few of these over the years, not a bad drill press, now have an Arboga for metal and a Waldon radial for wood.
H.