Carefully belted in for the trip home....in the rain, or it would be in the back of the truck!
There's a lot of cast iron in this press. Weighs at least 120 lbs.
What, exactly, is this thing?
There's a lot of cast iron in this press. Weighs at least 120 lbs.
What, exactly, is this thing?
A little web research turned up the answer. The press is a Hamilton Varimatic Drilling Machine made by the Hamilton Tool Company of Hamilton, OH.
It's most noticeable feature it the variable speed drive, from long before the days of VFDs.
Early on in my research, I was very happy to discover this parts list booklet. Manythanks to photobucket user revgo1898 for posting this information.
The booklet is #VPL-55, perhaps indicating that it was published in 1955.
It's most noticeable feature it the variable speed drive, from long before the days of VFDs.
Early on in my research, I was very happy to discover this parts list booklet. Manythanks to photobucket user revgo1898 for posting this information.
The booklet is #VPL-55, perhaps indicating that it was published in 1955.
Time for some pictures of the press as I received it.
A-1 Guard removed.
Corners of the factory guard are pretty chewed. That's a serious skirt added on there Top plate is also an shop addition - plate off a round j-box? Looks like the skirt and top plate were added to contain the oil/grease slung off the drive assembly. It's unclear what is wrong with the drive that made this modification look useful. |
Interior surface of the A-1 Guard, rear.
Permite was a trademark of Aluminum Industries, Inc. for their aluminum/copper casting alloys. They also used it for aluminum paint. I managed to turn up a little info on Aluminum Industries, Inc. by relentless application of google. |
Right side drive pulley detail.
A-104 Driven Cone is set at at minimum engagement (max. speed) in the rubber A-100 Driving Ring.
The surface of rubber driving ring isn't smooth or circular. This may be what's causing the hellacious noise and vibration when the press is running. Need to completely disconnect the upper steel drive cone and see what effect it has.
If things calm down, then I'm faced with trying to repair or replace the rubber part. Can you turn rubber on the lathe? Maybe with a razor sharp HSS tool?
If the vibration remains after disengaging the ring, it might be time for a motor rebuild or replacement.
Note crud on lower part of pulley. Interior of rubber driving ring assembly is very clean. I wonder if the press was run down to full engagement and just left there for a very long time. That might explain why the interior is very clean compared to the exterior. It might also explain the "flats" on the surface of the rubber.
A-104 Driven Cone is set at at minimum engagement (max. speed) in the rubber A-100 Driving Ring.
The surface of rubber driving ring isn't smooth or circular. This may be what's causing the hellacious noise and vibration when the press is running. Need to completely disconnect the upper steel drive cone and see what effect it has.
If things calm down, then I'm faced with trying to repair or replace the rubber part. Can you turn rubber on the lathe? Maybe with a razor sharp HSS tool?
If the vibration remains after disengaging the ring, it might be time for a motor rebuild or replacement.
Note crud on lower part of pulley. Interior of rubber driving ring assembly is very clean. I wonder if the press was run down to full engagement and just left there for a very long time. That might explain why the interior is very clean compared to the exterior. It might also explain the "flats" on the surface of the rubber.
Now it's time for some cleanup!