RSB Antique Drill Press

[DselParticipant @dsel]

Information Needed for Restoration

[DselParticipant @dsel]

Hi guys, I have what I believe is a Uk made old flatbelt driven bench top drill press I am trying to restore. I'm having a real hard time finding any info on the drill or the manufacturer RSB. Hoping someone here may here some knowledge in the matter. RSB Logo.

[DselParticipant @dsel]

Photos of drill are in my RSB album.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Dale, below is a scan of an illustration of a drill that looks similar to the one in your photo's. It is from a catalogue from a supplier by the name of Croager Bros. who had a place in Homerton, London. There is no date in the catalogue, but I'm guessing it was around 1939 as there is a footnote pasted in about certain piricees may be subject to change owing to the outbreak of war. It dosn't state what make except that it is British.

Hope this may be of some help.

Regards Nick.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 03/03/2014 18:56:20

[DselParticipant @dsel]

Thanks Nick, that is the first one I have seen with the F shape. Interesting it has the two stepped cone pulleys on the back, and a single one on the spindle.

[Bob StevensonParticipant @bobstevenson13909]

I have a 'RSB' lathe which I have always assumed was made in the 1920's. For many years I have never been able to find any reference to RSB or ever heard of another machine than my own, or ever met anyone who has heard of RSB Sometime last year the 'Lathes UK' site suddenly published photos of a virtual facsimile to my machine and states that it is the only one known (although my own is in much better condition) Here is the link (for what it's worth) to the site page;

http://www.lathes.co.uk/rsb/

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Dale, I think the idea is that there is a belt round the spindle and over the two idlers on the back of the bend and then round the pulley that is closest to the piller which is at the middle of the piller, you then have another belt which goes round the three cone pullies in the middle and the bottom, which will give three different speeds. A thrid belt will then go round the outermost idler pulley at the bottom and the motor and this belt would be flipped from the idler to the drive pulley at the bottom with the foot pedel when you want to drill your hole and then flipped back whenever you need to stop, thus you don't have to stop and start the motor each time which may be driving line belting and other machines that other people are using.

Hope that makes sense.

Regards Nick.

[DselParticipant @dsel]

Bob, I have seen that link thanks, and did email Tony with photos of my drill and asked if he hd any new info, Never responded unfortunately.

So i guess your in the same boat as me.

Could I bother you for some detail on your lathe. What is the dimensions of the pulley cone, diameters, widths,crown,and wall thickness & how is it fitted to the shaft, key or grub screw etc. What are the head stock bearings, bronze or babbit? Same with the tailstock, also the keyway on the tailstock, where is the key and is it just a bolt?

Nick,

That makes sense, I like the foot shift for the slow fast pulleys. I just wonder why not have the three speed pulley on the spindle like others did.

[DselParticipant @dsel]

Bob, Just wondering what your using to drive your lathe and if there is a second set of pulleys etc??

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Dale, I guess that having a single pulley is much simpler, being that the flat belt has to twist through 90 degrees as it travels over the two idlers on the back of the bend.

Regards Nick.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 04/03/2014 00:05:59

[Bob StevensonParticipant @bobstevenson13909]

Dale,

 

The cone pulley is for flat 1 inch belting. The three pulleys are 5.5, 4.0, & 2.5 inches OSD The cone is fixed to spindle with a single screw.   The cone castign is approx 0.25 inch thick.

 

My lathe has been stored for some years and it's about 25 years since I last 'saw' the bearings…can't remember what material or type Tailstock is by keyway internally…there is no bolt as in the 'lathes uk' specimen. My lathe has a different arrangment for bearing adjustment to that in the 'Lathes uk' site and does NOT have the cap pieces (as mentioned on the site)…….the casting is simply split at the back and tightened by screws.

 

Recently I have considered overhaul, remotoring and adaptation for horological work as the lathe turns nicely and (as I remember) is capable of accurate work.

 

The original lathe was (presumably) treadle powered. I have the original cast iron stand with massive fly wheel but the actual treadle is long gone and I don't remember it. The fly wheel is approx. 2 ft OSD and has two flat belt locations…one near outside edge and another at about 5 inch diameter. In addition there is a fine belt 'groove' also near outside edge. For many years the lathe was driven by means of a 'Met-Vickers' electric motor driving the fly wheel and mounted on a home made tray bolted to stand.

Edited By Bob Stevenson on 04/03/2014 18:25:53

[DselParticipant @dsel]

Bob, Thanks for you time & info.

RSB machines seem so rare on the ground, its a shame to have it packed away. If someone new about them they might be worth something. You have 1 of 2 lathes in known existence.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Just going by similar drill presses, I would not be surprised if you got the wrong war, I think it could be 1914, I could well be wrong.

The one I know best has a chain over a pulley and down inside the column to a weight, to retract the quill.

Ian S C

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Hi Dale ,

Reiter & Co in Halesowen and Reiter Gmbh in Switzerland made an RSB range of machines circa 1900 .

The companies were either the same business or they had very close association .

They made all sorts of machinery including lathes and drills but also steam engines , looms and carding machines .

The Swiss company still exists and they continue to make the RSB range of mill and textile machinery .

No way of knowing if it is the correct RSB for your drill but seems possible .

The trail goes cold at this point – nothing further in my notes or online .

Possibly something more to be found by hand search in Birmingham museums .

Regards ,

Michael Williams .

Edited By MICHAEL WILLIAMS on 05/03/2014 14:39:55

[DselParticipant @dsel]

Michael, Thanks for the info.

A hand search of Birmingham Museums isn't really in the cards for me, bit far for a convict to return to the motherland just to research his drill.

[DselParticipant @dsel]

Michael, where did you find that these companies made "RSB" I have just been researching them via google and can find reference to making cotton milling machines but no link to RSB..

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Info came from my own archive .

I’ve lots on some companies but only a couple of lines about RSB .

I myself never found anything useful on Google .

The Reiter name lives on in Halesowen in a chain of garages .

I’ll see if I can find anything else for you but I’m not hopeful – many of these smaller businesses just disappeared without trace .

MikeW

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Ian, I still think the catalogue was issued around the start of WW2, it also illustrats the Alba No.1a shaper and a Union 5" S.C. lathe, both of which only seem to be availble from 1930 according to Tony's website **LINK**

Regards Nick.

P.S. Yes I've used one of those with the chain and the wieght inside the column where I used to work a few years ago.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 06/03/2014 00:53:46

[Bob StevensonParticipant @bobstevenson13909]

It would be easier to find out info if the general dates could be tied down more. The 'lathes uk' site mentions circa 1910 for the RSB lathe and I would have said it dates from the late 20's to early to mid 30's…and it looks like late 30's for the drilling machine………

What we want is someone with an interest (and knowledge) in the modeling magazines for 1910 to 1940 era who might remember an advertisement for RSB machines as they more or less HAD to place adverts to sell anything.

Alternatively,……What about museum services for Birmingham City Council as they probably have a register of old businesses and it's highly likely that RSB were there or nearby.

Lastly,…were there model engineering exhibitions in the early 20th century………….someone with archived programmes or guides might be able to turn up an address for RSB as they would probably have tried to exhibit their machines.

[DselParticipant @dsel]

Some great ideas there Bob. If anyone has those leads.

I sent off some emails to Reiter to see if they recognise the logo as part of their history. Or had any info that might hekp.

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Some of theses machines were in production for 60 years or more – so WW2 and 1900 could both be right .

Just as an aside – there were old crocs like this still to be found in use in the 1970’s !

They might have advertised in ME but more likely in trade magazines and catalogues like Nick’s .

[DselParticipant @dsel]

I have been in touch with a long term employee of Rieter, who now in retirement manages their museum.

He has checked machines from 1795-1945 and all machines including guns bear the name J.J.Rieter & Cie. in the casting. He has no knowledge of RSB. That is another dead end by the looks of it.

I am in the position of your inquiry regarding old machine tools made by RSB.

I have an old book with the history of Rieter with all the machines manufactured from 1795 to 1945. Rieter has produced all kinds of machines and even guns in the last 219 years. All machines, without an exception, bear the name J.J.Rieter & Cie. in the casting. (Johann Jacob Rieter).

The initials RSB are unknown to me.

I am very sorry not being able to help you with your problem.

I wish you good luck in finding the manufacturer RSB.

Best regards from Switzerland

[Tony Griffiths 3Participant @tonygriffiths3]

The RSB lathe:

Hi Bob,

I'd be very interested to see some pictures of your RSB lathe – the second to come to light in recent years. I'm afraid that their background still remains a Mystery; the link to Leeds and Breeds Lathes Ltd that I mention has, so far, drawn a blank in trade directories of that town for 1900 to 1930 – so perhaps that's a non-starter.

My apolgies to Dsel for a non-reply about your drill – my email load can sometimes be just too large to cope with. Do try again, please….

My thanks, Tony.

[Stephen Williams 7Participant @stephenwilliams7]

I too have just come across an RSB drill press with flat belt drive.it stands 3' tall and has a table 7 1/2" square.it is complete but I can't decide whether to use it or not

[Author]

Posts