500 as dedicated drill press?

[fgrule]

I have a Mark V 510 as my main machine. Also have a 500 that I'm considering using as a dedicated (probably fixed location) drill press.
One method that interests me a lot is wall-mounted. This would probably mean simply removing the legs and bolting vertically to a cinder block wall in my basement workshop. (so the way/bench tubes are both totally vertical).

What are some opinions of this method? And are there other ways that I should consider? I've seen several photos of bench-mounted as well as "shorties" that were drill-press only.

Any advice....ideas?

Thanks!
Fred

[fgrule]

Here is an photo similar to what I'm looking at doing.Good way to go?

[ATTACH]19686[/ATTACH]

[dgale]

Obviously you would want to make sure it is properly secured to the wall. Beyond that, if you have no need for it beyond a drill press then certainly it would function well for that and it is a space saving option. I presume you would want to make sure everything is good and level and with a cinder block wall, it might be a bit trickier to shim things etc. to get the tubes perfectly vertical. Also, the headstock is fairly heavy, so you would want to set things up so you could do most of the adjusting with the table and be able to leave the headstock locked in a set position.

[JPG]

I be considering doing the same thing with some mark 2 parts(except the wall mounting would not be 'permanent').

I would try to get max distance on both sides to any wall etc.

[fgrule]

dgale

I'd already thought about the weight (mount securely!) and have been thinking of ways to move the headstock up/down. I guess a bottle jack like others have used would do....still thinking. A scissor jack (screw type) might be better.


JPG

I have a bunch of piers (like in the photo) that look ideal for mounting. Seems better than a flat wall.

Fred

[backhertz]

Looks like it would be easier to raise the table up & down. Why raise the bridge when you can lower the river?

I've seen a bottle jack used. Shopsmith has just come out with a gas spring table riser. I assume you leave the headstock in place and just move the table. http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Tips.htm There is a pic here.

I've also read some people use a pulley/weight system to lift/lower the headstock.

[reible]

I have one of my machines set up as a drill press and leaving it that way for now. It is a full machine but I'm not wasting space with it that way. Under the stand I have a set of drawers, then I have storage on the bench tubes.

I keep the speed reducer stored above the headstock where I can retrieve it and mount it as needed for the larger bits.

If you go to this post you can see the spt storage project and a few pictures of some tools mounted.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=11176

This is working out quite well for me. I still have the option of moving the spt's off and and setting the machine down for other uses but I don't need to do that right now.

Just another idea to think about.

Ed

[dgale]

I've also read some people use a pulley/weight system to lift/lower the headstock.

This is what crossed my mind - if you find that moving the headstock up/down might need to occur with any sort of regularity, perhaps a pulley system to the ceiling with the appropriate # of pulleys at both ends to create enough mechanical advantage so it slides up/down easily and once you have it where you want it, clamp down the headstock lock to hold it in place. Maybe one pulley would be enough - just depends on an individuals personal preference for how heavy the headstock is and how easily you want it to glide up/down. If multiple pulleys were in order, yachting supply places (i.e. West Marine) sell some pretty slick multi-blocks that are used for sailboat booms etc. They even make ones with ratcheting and directional locks (i.e. like a fishing reel - it will only turn one way unless you flip a lever and then it will only turn the other way, or flip it all the way over and it free-spools). This way it would be a safety check that it wouldn't get away from you and slide down when you were pulling it up.

West Marine Sailing Blocks

Anyway, I'd think I would prefer something like this over a bottle jack if I found I needed the move the headstock with the tubes mounted vertically.

[fgrule]

Looks like it would be easier to raise the table up & down. Why raise the bridge when you can lower the river?

I've seen a bottle jack used. Shopsmith has just come out with a gas spring table riser. I assume you leave the headstock in place and just move the table. http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Tips.htm There is a pic here.

I've also read some people use a pulley/weight system to lift/lower the headstock.

I'd prefer to have the table at a fixed height (back problems!). Otherwise, I'd do as you suggest.

I'll also check out a pulley system. I suppose that the first thing I should do is to see if I actually need to move the headstock enough to warrant any kind of jack.

Ed
That's a nice setup. My overall plan is to use the fixed drill press indoors...and move the 510 outdoors when I am making any dust (don't have a dust collection system-been there...done that....cyclone....too big and too complicated!).


fred

[joedw00]

Here is an photo similar to what I'm looking at doing.Good way to go?

[ATTACH]19686[/ATTACH]

In this picture it looks like he mounted it at the right height that the headstock would not have to be moved just the table.