"The Denbigh K1" pillar drill resto

[Brad93]

Not sure if anyone can help me date this came out of a friends (blacksmiths) workshop. My dad can remember it being there for as long as he remembers.

Anyway I'm restoring it to it's former glory, it's actually a tight machine with very little play in any of the bearings. The only problem I have got is the coil return spring in the handle. I'll take some updated pictures today.

It's three phase and seems to have the original motor.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

For the coil spring could you butcher a heavy duty tape measure, alternatively you could approach a Horologist (clock maker) as they deal with coil springs all the time.

 

[Wallace]

Anneal the end and re-roll it?

 

[DanielW]

For the coil spring could you butcher a heavy duty tape measure, alternatively you could approach a Horologist (clock maker) as they deal with coil springs all the time.

Judging by the thickness of the photo spring I doubt whether a clock mainspring will suffice as the thickness is nowhere near the drill spring.

Used to dabble in the repair of (Tambour type mantle clock) maybe the biggest mainsprings might do but I doubt it?
the springs had to be thin blue metal so that the spring never lost tension.

 

[Wallace]

the springs had to be thin blue metal so that the spring never lost tension.

Spring Steel.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Looks similar to many recoil starter springs, loads on ebay from around £4

 

[octo0072000]

as said by wallace heat the broken end up and re bend it

 

[julianthegypsy]

as said by wallace heat the broken end up and re bend it

Do not, however, be tempted to re-temper it afterwards, it doesn't work and it will just break. Just heat it up, bend it round, let it cool and refit it, I've done several.

 

[GrahamGKD]

When the spring broke on my Progress I fixed it by re-forming the end as has been suggested once or twice. When it finally reached the point where it could no longer be repaired I Googled and found a specialist spring maker - I think it was going to be about £50 to have one made. Before ordering though, I discovered that Gate Machinery had them on the shelf for my drill - it still cost about the same but buying it as a specific part for the drill meant I didn't have to take any chances on specifying the strength of the spring etc.

 

[sardine]

Good place called small order springs in West Drayton, Middlesex if you need a special made.

 

[Brad93]

Hi guys made good progress today, spring reformed using heat, just need a pin, I'm thinking of using an old drill bit.
Drill head has been repainted just the table and the foot to do wolf with the motor and bracket

 

[Brad93]

With paint

 

[RichardM]

if it is spring steel and does not have tension cracks then you should be able to anneal it, bend to the required shape and re-temper it. Google the process and use fine sifted sand to spread the heat for the final tempering. Alternatively you will probably be able to adapt one for purpose.