Progress with the Progress drill

[AJAXParticipant @ajax]

As mentioned in a previous thread, I am working on refurbishing an Elliott Progress No. 1 Mark 1 bench drill (dated about 1946).

I have successfully removed the quill and all that remains is the main spindle pulley which is proving very determined to stay put. I should add the pulley spins freely and the bearing feels good, but I wish to remove the pulley so I can strip and paint the whole machine.

If you look down through the bore you will see a key that engages with the sliding spindle. I can "lock" the pulley by reinstalling the corresponding keyed shaft, but I am reluctant to apply excessive force through this key / shaft.

At the top of the shaft, there is a part with a left hand thread which I assume locks the step-pulley into place. Incidentally, there is no other obvious way the pulley is locked, such as a grub screw.

I have attempted to remove the aforementioned locking part using various grips (I don't like doing so, but needs must) before / after applying heat (about 280 degrees) and penetrating oil. If I do get this off successfully, I may make a replacement part that is easier to remove or modify this one so am bar can be inserted for removal.

If all else fails I could consider cutting the pulley off to get a closer look, but I am very reluctant to do so.

Any suggestions?

Brian

[AJAXParticipant @ajax]

One more part to remove

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

I am surprised that no-one has been able to help with this problem.

Sad to say, I cannot offer any advice, but someone out there must have come across it before.

I would be very interested to know just how it,s held in place.

[VicParticipant @vic]

When I took my old Progress number one apart I struggled with one part only to discover there was a really thin snap ring holding it together. Once removed it came apart easily. It was just a very thin split ring of spring steel.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Well, at a guess, I would say the pulley is on a taper.

OP refrains from telling us who gave the right info to get the quill out, so I’ll leave to him to find a way of releasing the pulley without damaging/destroying it. I would also suggest that the likely pair of roller bearings should be replaced with new once the machine is dismantled.

[AJAXParticipant @ajax]

Posted by Vic on 21/10/2021 10:10:57:

When I took my old Progress number one apart I struggled with one part only to discover there was a really thin snap ring holding it together. Once removed it came apart easily. It was just a very thin split ring of spring steel.

Vic, I haven't found any split rings so far but thanks for the heads-up. It didn't retain the pulley did it?

Edited By AJAX on 21/10/2021 10:51:08

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

You may find some comfort in this thread from 2014 : **LINK**

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=102236

My guess is that the aforementioned left-hand thread is simply very firmly tightened.

MichaelG.

[AJAXParticipant @ajax]

Posted by not done it yet on 21/10/2021 10:43:42:

Well, at a guess, I would say the pulley is on a taper.

OP refrains from telling us who gave the right info to get the quill out, so I’ll leave to him to find a way of releasing the pulley without damaging/destroying it. I would also suggest that the likely pair of roller bearings should be replaced with new once the machine is dismantled.

Let me see if I can track down the previous post. But in case the suspense is too great, I discovered the quill return spring "cover" was not removable (despite my best efforts!) but simply knocked through with a tap from the handle side.

[AJAXParticipant @ajax]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 21/10/2021 10:53:02:

You may find some comfort in this thread from 2014 : **LINK**

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=102236

My guess is that the aforementioned left-hand thread is simply very firmly tightened.

MichaelG.

Thanks, I have now resurrected the old thread.

As for "firmly tightened"… It's more like welded on!

[AJAXParticipant @ajax]

Posted by not done it yet on 21/10/2021 10:43:42:

Well, at a guess, I would say the pulley is on a taper.

OP refrains from telling us who gave the right info to get the quill out, so I’ll leave to him to find a way of releasing the pulley without damaging/destroying it. I would also suggest that the likely pair of roller bearings should be replaced with new once the machine is dismantled.

The bottom set of bearings run very smoothly. I'm hoping any more that I encounter when I finally shift the pulley will be the same.

If confirmed it is on a taper I may try a new approach, but I'm reluctant to use gear pullers on a fragile cast aluminium pulley.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by AJAX on 21/10/2021 11:18:46:

[…]

As for "firmly tightened"… It's more like welded on!

.

It might be worth devising some sort of adapter, and then asking the local tyre fitter to apply their impact wrench.

MichaelG.

[AJAXParticipant @ajax]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 21/10/2021 11:32:30:

Posted by AJAX on 21/10/2021 11:18:46:

[…]

As for "firmly tightened"… It's more like welded on!

.

It might be worth devising some sort of adapter, and then asking the local tyre fitter to apply their impact wrench.

MichaelG.

An excellent suggestion but I have finally got it off! Holding on to the pulley without damaging it was proving to be a pain until I realized the obvious and got out some rope.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Bravo !!

MichaelG.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Posted by AJAX on 21/10/2021 10:50:45:

Posted by Vic on 21/10/2021 10:10:57:

When I took my old Progress number one apart I struggled with one part only to discover there was a really thin snap ring holding it together. Once removed it came apart easily. It was just a very thin split ring of spring steel.

Vic, I haven't found any split rings so far but thanks for the heads-up. It didn't retain the pulley did it?

Edited By AJAX on 21/10/2021 10:51:08

Sorry, I can’t remember it was a few years back. Someone else has done a rebuild of a number one on here so maybe worth a search?

[Pete.Participant @pete-2]

looks like a nice little project, hope we get to see it finished

[AJAXParticipant @ajax]

Posted by Pete. on 21/10/2021 23:11:38:

looks like a nice little project, hope we get to see it finished

Thanks Pete.

Here are some more photos in case anyone is interested.

The spindle has 2 pairs of bearings and you'll also see the electric motor which came with the drill. I've cleaned the motor up and resprayed, checked the internal wiring, earth leakage testing, etc. I haven't yet decided whether to keep this motor (I have a few others to choose from) or install a 3 phase + VFD instead. I will make that decision later.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Great Progress !

… in both senses of that phrase

MichaelG.

[AJAXParticipant @ajax]

I left the paint stripper on overnight and it has softened, but not enough to allow easy scraping/brushing off. I have applied another coat (I don't expect it to make much difference) but also contacted a local shot blasting company to request a quote. Does anyone have a rough idea how much this would cost? £50 – £80 is my guess but I could be way off.

I cleaned up the column (very heavy!) and two step pulleys.

[Author]

Posts