Google has been a huge help in researching the history and function of the press. Below I've collected the sources of information I've found most useful and interesting.
Guy Lopes post on Kieth Rucker's awesome website VintageMachinery.org.
Guy's post was where I learned about Michael Conner's impressive account of the restoration of his press. Michael also includes a lot of historical information about Hamilton Machinery, the inventors and patents related to the press, etc.
By the way, if you aren't subscribed to Keith's youtube channel, you are missing out! He does some great restoration work as a volunteer at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture. Keith's typical project makes this drill press project look like a quick wipe down with a sort of clean rag.
Guy's post was where I learned about Michael Conner's impressive account of the restoration of his press. Michael also includes a lot of historical information about Hamilton Machinery, the inventors and patents related to the press, etc.
By the way, if you aren't subscribed to Keith's youtube channel, you are missing out! He does some great restoration work as a volunteer at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture. Keith's typical project makes this drill press project look like a quick wipe down with a sort of clean rag.
Cover page of Hamilton Varimatic parts list, copyright 1960.
This parts list describes a version of the press that is a bit different from mine. The part numbers are different and the cone drive design and other features are different.
The most significant changes are in the drive assembly.
The compression coil springs have been removed from the lower part of the assembly and its diameter where mounted to the motor shaft is reduced. I now looks hard mounted to the motor shaft.
Vertical compliance in the assembly now appears to come from a disc spring in the part of the assembly in the head casting. See part A-133 Drive Adjusting Spring.
Part number A-100 is still the rubber drive cone so perhaps if this part is still available it will work on my press.
Thanks to Dave Brown at REBB Industries via PracticalMachinist.com member Lakeside53 for this documentation.
This parts list describes a version of the press that is a bit different from mine. The part numbers are different and the cone drive design and other features are different.
The most significant changes are in the drive assembly.
The compression coil springs have been removed from the lower part of the assembly and its diameter where mounted to the motor shaft is reduced. I now looks hard mounted to the motor shaft.
Vertical compliance in the assembly now appears to come from a disc spring in the part of the assembly in the head casting. See part A-133 Drive Adjusting Spring.
Part number A-100 is still the rubber drive cone so perhaps if this part is still available it will work on my press.
Thanks to Dave Brown at REBB Industries via PracticalMachinist.com member Lakeside53 for this documentation.
Front cover of a Hamilton Varimatic brochure. Handwritten date "1956" in ink, center of the image.
Many thanks to D Thomas on PracticalMachinist.com for posting this image.
Many thanks to D Thomas on PracticalMachinist.com for posting this image.
riodeloso's Hamilton Varimatic thread on PracticalMachinist.com
$50 for this press, even its original condition, seems like a smoking deal to me. The restoration top notch. |
steamachine's post in riodeloso's Hamilton Varimatic thread on PracticalMachinist.com
Very useful picture of the A-879 Table Clamping Screw. I need to make replacements of these for my press, so it's handy to have a picture to work from. |
Jon Bohlander's Hamilton Varimatic thread on PracticalMachinist.com
Jon's press as found was in much worse shape than mine. Even so, he managed to get it torn down and rebuilt.
Useful information about construction of the spindle.
Jon's press as found was in much worse shape than mine. Even so, he managed to get it torn down and rebuilt.
Useful information about construction of the spindle.