Originally Posted by
cba_melbourne
Jon, depends how much a quiet running drill is worth to you. The fact that you bought a high quality drill, and that you ask this question, makes me think that you would value well made and smooth running tools.
Any chance you can make the gears yourself? If you already have a lathe and/or a mill, all you need extra is probably a few involute gear cutters and a way to divide. Phenolic resin reinforced with cotton/linen cloth laminations (Whale, Carp, Tufnol, Bear, Crow, Resofil and many more trade names) is quick and easy and pleasant to machine, but fairly expensive to buy as plate or bar material. Still, it is likely that the savings over having someone make the gears for you, would pay for the phenolic, the gear cutter and a new rotary table together. Chris