Fobco Seven Eight Work in Progress

[indy4x]

Bought this a few months ago and thought it was about time I made some progress with it

It's an ex school Fobco Seven Eight with the large t slotted table and 3 phase motor. Underneath the grime and surface rust it's in surprisingly good condition.

I had to dismantle it to transport it home and while it was apart I did clean up the column with scotchbrite and WD40 which now looks pretty good and then reassembled it



High lift was needed to lift the head up from the bottom of the column as it's bloody heavy



Tonight I made a start on the electrics, wanted to make sure it was safe and fit a new power cable with 16A commando plug

Popped off the side cover and discovered some modifications





Looks like it's been wired in while still retaining the original front mounted switches

 

[rtbcomp]

To lift the head, put a wooden block under the chuck and turn the star wheel as if to lower the quill, this will lift the head. Lift the table and repeat.

 

[indy4x]

At that point I hadn't fitted the table. Table collar, rack and all the gubbins were on there tho.

I had to assemble it on it's side and was trying to keep the weight down as the table weighs a fair bit on it's own. Once upright and head lifted up the column I fitted the table

 

[dab4318]

Always wanted one of these drills, either this one or a 10/8. They don't come up for sale very often.

 

[Dieselman 63]

As someone who has trapped their hand between a fobco star head unit and a clamp on the table, take your time! These are lovely machines, think on the ground, like boxford drills

 

[indy4x]

@dab4318 it was pure luck I found this one, didn't know they did a ten eight

@Dieselkid 63 that sounds painful and defo not something I wish to emulate

 

[Dieselman 63]

Yes, not fun. When it's back together and you need to lower the head, it's all about that little collar under the head, loosening and giving it a tiny bit of drop, then tighten and repeat. Tedious on your own, it's much simpler (and a better idea) to have a friend to help you

 

[dab4318]

@dab4318 it was pure luck I found this one, didn't know they did a ten eight

@Dieselkid 63 that sounds painful and defo not something I wish to emulate

Same drill I think just has a mt3 instead of your mt2. How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking. It's just I've seen them anywhere from £250 to £1750.

 

[indy4x]

I stole it, £25-

 

[Dieselman 63]

...lost for words...

 

[dab4318]

I stole it, £25-

No way! That's awesome. If anyone knows of any for Sale please let me know!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

it's much simpler (and a better idea) to have a friend to help you

Provided you can persuade him to put his hand where yours was........

 

[indy4x]

It was an absolute bargain but in my defence I asked him what he wanted bearing in mind it wasn't connected up to a mains supply so no way of testing, essentially an unknown quantity. I didn't have to think twice and had to stop myself falling over and tearing his hand off when he said the price.

Not always so lucky, my Harrison had a snapped shaft in the gearbox but only discovered it after getting back to South Wales from Crewe and in hindsight it turns out I paid over the odds for my mill

The other downside of owning something old and rare is spares are non existent. There are a few bits missing but should be able to make replacements, luckily they shouldn't affect the basic operation of the drill

 

[clueless77]

The fella from lathes.co.uk has fobco spares

 

[indy4x]

The fella from lathes.co.uk has fobco spares

That's worth knowing, Will see what I can make and what I can't will drop him an email to see if he can help

 

[indy4x]

Bit more progress tonight with the wiring, pulled out the switch unit and replaced the input wiring, wasn't happy with the earthing arrangement so drilled and tapped a blind hole inside the electrics cavity to act as an earth point.

Took off the motor to replace the feed cable, pulley first



Then used the table to support the motor while it was removed



Ready to connect the new wiring



Appreciate it's out of sequence but found this photo of the column getting a scrub with scotchbrite and WD40

 

[indy4x]

And I hate the white cable but it's the only 3ph stuff I had available so will do for now

 

[Dieselman 63]

I tried scotchbrite first, it was okay, but if you really want a nice job get a wire wheel in your bench grinder and whilst rotating the column very slowly, feed it through. Then put it on a towel on the floor, use autosol, then when its dry use a cloth wheel in a power drill to brighten it up - gives you a mirror shine and makes it a lot smoother too

 

[indy4x]

Wow, that's dedication, don't have a wire wheel for my bench grinder but do have one for the angle grinder.

I did initially start with a poly disc in the angle grinder but a new disc was a little too fierce but quite happy with the satin finish that the scotchbrite has produced.

Have made a start on the table, again with a poly disc and am quite pleased with the result, only done about 25% of the area but once it's wired up will do the rest

 

[dab4318]

Your just rubbing it in now!