Replies

1. 
   Andrew | Jul 26, 2002 04:39am | #1

   seems like it's a cheap motor or a cheap or dull bit. my old rockwell dp only has a 1/4 hp motor and i can't stall it drilling through 12/4 hard maple or even 5 inch purpleheart, and i'm not drilling slowly either.

1. 
   JohnKrist | Jul 26, 2002 01:37pm | #2

   I tried switching bits and got the same result-stalling-and tried it in pine and got the same. Is there a way to tighten the chuck assembly to the drive shaft? I assume that there is some kind of safety design that disengages the chuck from the drive shaft in case the bit jams, keeping the linkage from being torn apart if that happens. but I wonder if this safety design as gotten loose or worn. It is a decent enough tool, esp. since it was free, but I may be finding out why it went so cheap...

   Any thoughts out there?

   Thanks much.

   John

2. 
   jhausch | Jul 26, 2002 01:55pm | #3

   The highest chuck speed = the lowest torque.  Try a big pulley on the motor, small pulley on the chuck.

   Steelkilt Lives!
3. 
   LesBartel | Jul 26, 2002 03:57pm | #4

   The motor is almost certainly too small.  A decent electric hand drill may very well have more torque/power.  You have to watch what you get at Harbor Freight and other low priced outfits.  You can get good deals, but remember inexpensive tools are cheap.  I bought a bench grinder from one of those type outfits.  I can prevent the grinder from starting by putting my pinkey finger on the wheel while turning the switch on.  It does work good for sharpening drill bits though.

4. 
   JamieFichter | Jul 26, 2002 04:12pm | #5

   I had a Harbor Freight DP, it was green, sat on the benchtop.  I used it ONE time with a drum sander attached, and about 15 minutes into the sanding, the motor on the DP started smoking and just quit completely. 

   Like you said, that was the point at which I realized why it cost $29.  :~)  Some things are OK at HF, but others are very cheap (not inexpensive, but CHEAP)...

   Jamie

5. 
   TKanzler | Jul 26, 2002 05:39pm | #6

   It's unclear from your post just exactly what is slipping (or not slipping).  Is the motor turning with the chuck stalled?  If so, is the pulley at the top of the quill (driven) turning when the chuck stalls?  Does the motor itself stall?  A 1/3 hp drill press should be able to drill through just about any wood with any reasonable size (sharp) bit, at the proper speed and feed.  If the motor is stalling, try a slower speed (smaller motor pulley, larger quill pulley).  If everything is turning except the chuck, it's mechanical and I'm not familiar with the workings of that DP so I can't comment other than to suggest taking it apart to see what's what.  If the motor still stalls using a slower speed, you may have bad bearings in the quill or motor.  Or, if it's the $59 5-speed DP from Harbor Freight, the motor may not actually be 1/3 hp. 

    

   Be seeing you...

1. 
   JohnKrist | Jul 26, 2002 08:55pm | #7

   Thanks for all the comments, all.

   Everything turns except the chuck: belt, motor, quill. I did notice a slight improvement in torque at the lower speeds, but not enough to be a real improvement.

   My buddy was trying to drill metal with it, so it may have gotten stressed in some way. I think I will call the company and see what I should do. Will report back.

   Thanks,

   John