Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 21
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    PERTH WA
    Posts
    302

    Default Tough Machinery Perth

    I have just acquired a floor mounted drill press made by Tough Engineering in Belmont WA. I remember the name in the 60's but I wondered if anyone has more information or history about the the firm. My press is very heavy and rusty so I think it will be a while before I can use it.

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    PERTH WA
    Posts
    302

    Default PICS OF THE BEAST

    Some pics of the Tough drill press. It is obviously very old and rusty and I intend to get it sandblasted and paint it. It is in working condition. Any info about Tough Machines/Engineering who were based in Belmont WA would appreciated.









    19022014(001) copy.jpg19022014(002).jpg19022014(003).jpg19022014(004).jpg19022014(007).jpg19022014(008).jpg
    Attached Images Attached Images

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,757

    Default

    Thanks for posting the pics. Sorry I can't tell you anything about Tough but I have used a few of them, for instance, we have a bench mount one at our mens shed.

    I'd be careful about getting someone to blasting components that need to fit and slide over each other as trey may keep blasting tip the get rid of pits. It may be better to use electrolysis and lift with any non critical pitting. If it is critical it may be possible to fill the pits by welding.

    Anyway I'm looking forward to see it back in shape.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    2,205

    Default Try Antique machinery and tools re your query

    Quote Originally Posted by beer is good View Post
    I have just acquired a floor mounted drill press made by Tough Engineering in Belmont WA. I remember the name in the 60's but I wondered if anyone has more information or history about the the firm. My press is very heavy and rusty so I think it will be a while before I can use it.
    They also made a wood lathe and a hollow chisel mortiser which was based on the drill press.
    My memory is vague but they may have produced a chain mortiser as well.
    The guys on the Antique site would know.
    H
    Duh that is a mortiser you have, the attachment for holding the shank of the square chisel is missing but you have the vise for holding the work.
    Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    665

    Default When they went bust

    When they went bust, the employees bought the right to continue to cast parts and make machines etc and they managed to keep the brand alive for a while in the old Belmont premises - but I guess cheap imports from China and the guys themselves getting old and sick etc led to eventual retirement and downturn etc until it did finally close.

    I had one of their wood lathes and Hollow Mortice Chisel pedestal drills for about 20 years!.

    They were tough - no getting past that! My great Uncle had the mortice drill before me.

    I'd have those 2 machines back again any day - just coz 'm already familiar with their operation idiosyncrasies - I wouldn't have to "learn new machines" - tho I am sure new machines would probably be superior performers maybe these days - but to me the old tough ones are nostalgic.

    I remember tough wood lathes when I was 15 in wood shop at high school (74).

    They were WA based as well so I guess there's some sand groper parochialism in there as well maybe!

    Heck I still think HRH Prince Len (Casserly - Hut River Province) was a WA champion!.

    Probably we are a dying breed - tough machine aficionado's.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    PERTH WA
    Posts
    302

    Default Tough press

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    Thanks for posting the pics. Sorry I can't tell you anything about Tough but I have used a few of them, for instance, we have a bench mount one at our mens shed.

    I'd be careful about getting someone to blasting components that need to fit and slide over each other as trey may keep blasting tip the get rid of pits. It may be better to use electrolysis and lift with any non critical pitting. If it is critical it may be possible to fill the pits by welding.

    Anyway I'm looking forward to see it back in shape.
    Thanks for that advice - I didn't consider that blasting would take off so much metal. I only want to get the rust off before painting, and I will probably use wet & dry for the parts that slide inside each other.
    I might get the pulleys blasted ... if I can get them off!

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,757

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by beer is good View Post
    Thanks for that advice - I didn't consider that blasting would take off so much metal.
    It shouldn't but you know how these guys work. They will give the job to a young bloke and say "get this spotless" so they will and in doing so remove too much metal

    I only want to get the rust off before painting, and I will probably use wet & dry for the parts that slide inside each other.
    Sounds good.
    I might get the pulleys blasted ... if I can get them off!
    That should be OK because pulleys are all side action anyway.

  9. #8
    Boringgeoff is offline Try not to be late, but never be early.
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Bakers Hill WA
    Age
    75
    Posts
    1,070

    Default Tough Machinery Info

    Hi,
    I have been told that Rob at Rustic Gallery at 9 Clayton Street, Bellevue might sell a publication about Tough Machinery.


    Geoff.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Imbil
    Posts
    1,167

    Default

    Hi guy's,
    I have a tough lathe and a chisel morticer they are very good solid machines and will serve me well for many years to come. You're drill press looks great and with a sympathetic clean up the will serve you well also very solid build as advised go cautiously with the clean up and I am sure you will be very happy with the results.
    Regards Rod.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    PERTH WA
    Posts
    302

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Boringgeoff View Post
    Hi,
    I have been told that Rob at Rustic Gallery at 9 Clayton Street, Bellevue might sell a publication about Tough Machinery.


    Geoff.

    Thanks Geoff, I will try to get out there and have a look.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Perth WA
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,650

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    Thanks for posting the pics. Sorry I can't tell you anything about Tough but I have used a few of them, for instance, we have a bench mount one at our mens shed.

    I'd be careful about getting someone to blasting components that need to fit and slide over each other as trey may keep blasting tip the get rid of pits. It may be better to use electrolysis and lift with any non critical pitting. If it is critical it may be possible to fill the pits by welding.

    Anyway I'm looking forward to see it back in shape.
    I have a little Tough bench drill and while I stuffed up the colour ( should have been silver ) https://www.woodworkforums.com/attach...6&d=1331366900 I stripped the previous finishes off, there were several, with paint stripper and used a wire wheel to remove rust. I share Bob's concern about blasting. I filled the nicks in the cast iron with Devcon Steel Putty and exchanged the rooted chain drilled table for an oriental import. I replaced a number of the rusty bright steel components with new. The column is some ground 4140. They are a superb drill IMO.

    You can still see the rusty corrugated iron roof of the old F and R Tough factory when driving along Abernethy Road.

    Bob.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    14

    Default Tough drill parts

    Quote Originally Posted by beer is good View Post
    I have just acquired a floor mounted drill press made by Tough Engineering in Belmont WA. I remember the name in the 60's but I wondered if anyone has more information or history about the the firm. My press is very heavy and rusty so I think it will be a while before I can use it.
    I purchased Tough Drill and woodlathe parts back in the early 90's and still have drill parts. I can manufacture most parts if I do not have remaining stock.

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,757

    Default

    Geez I wish I had know that parts might be still available.

    I'm getting a full height pedestal Tough up and running for our mens shed and spent some of last week fabbing a new motor mount plate.
    As you can see the middle pulley tension clamp had broken on the old one (it had been repaired before) so I just decided to make a new plate.
    The motor was covered in rust so I tidied it up, replaced the bearings, and tested it electrically while I was on the job.

    Tough Machinery Perth-motormountplate-jpg

    I'm chasing more of a functions rather than full restore so I wasn't too careful about the paint job.
    I won't be restoring the rest apart from the table which has some holes in it which I will fill with steel putty.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Perth W.A
    Age
    57
    Posts
    132

    Default

    Nice bit of fabrication there Bob,

    Steve

  16. #15
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    perth WA
    Posts
    7

    Default on the hunt for tough brand pedestal drill parts

    Quote Originally Posted by Norm View Post
    I purchased Tough Drill and woodlathe parts back in the early 90's and still have drill parts. I can manufacture most parts if I do not have remaining stock.

    sorry to dig up an old post here guys, but do i understand correctly you may have some Tough drill parts for sale? i'm currently giving my (not so) little darling a bit of a birthday and i'm chasing a few bibs and bobs, specifically two handles. one was missing and the other is bent. while i do have the ability to spin some new ones up i would rather keep it all original or as close to it as possible. i'm willing to pay in kind words, frosty beverages or folding currency.

    cheers, greeny

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. workshop machinery for hire perth
    By tjk in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 17th July 2012, 01:49 PM
  2. drilling machine made by Tough of Belmont, Perth
    By greys in forum METALWORK FORUM
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 18th January 2012, 01:47 AM
  3. PERTH WOOD SHOW - calling all Perth forum members
    By derekcohen in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 12th August 2006, 08:25 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •