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PoterCable drill press run-out

2K views 11 replies 4 participants last post by  scottb22 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I picked up the Porter Cable drill press. The spnidle has .002 run-out, arbor only installed has .003 to .004, and a bit in the chuck can range from .006 to .012. All degreased, wiped and blown w my air compressor prior to assembly. Question is .002 on the spindle good? Why then is the drill bit runout so off, it has visible wobble? Possibly it's just the chuck, or should I try another dp since I am in the 90 days? Pc did send me a 2nd chuck but results are he same. They only said exchange it now, which most likely I will tomorrow.
 
#4 ·
180 trick was previously tried and did not correct runout. I am not sure if the unit us bad or not, maybe its the cheapo chuck. Not willing to risk it either. Will try your quill trick later when you reply, thx again. No qc from Porter Cable even on replacement parts.
 
#5 ·
Well it's all from china and it's pretty cheap for floor model with those features. So you can't hammer them too bad. I'd still have mine if I didn't get a 20" monster for 200$ish. Half the people I knew that got one needed a new chuck or spindle sent. I'd get both if I were you. An upgraded chuck wouldn't be a bad idea if you can afford it. I pretty much just piddled with mine until I got it acceptable. Including using some 1000g sandpaper on both spindle tapers.

Pull the 2 screws holding the on/off button. Get a brass 8-32 screw to run through the bottom screw hole with a nut to hold it in place. Through that bottom hole is the quill. Just make sure to get as short a screw as possible so the switch doesn't look really wonky when you put it back on with just the top screw. Or you can drill and tap another hole. Out of the way of the cover.
 
#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
Seems like a lot of runout for just the spindle and arbor. If I had to guess, it's probably cheap bearings. If you could snag some good quality American/German/Jap bearings it might improve things by a couple thousandths but then again I have no experience with runout on a drill press, only on a lathe and table saw. Rohm & Jacobs are standards for chucks. There are a ton of brands I've never heard of, probably all the same. Do you know the arbor size? (JT33, JT3, etc.?)

Might look at a South Bend, it's a known brand.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B007UMHITW/
 
#12 ·
Exchanged the drill press today, the spindle on this one runs less than .001 runout. 2nd time seating the chuck the bit was .003 run out, works for me until I buy a new chuck, which might not be needed. I advise anyone with this drill press to return it or exchange it if you see visible wobble and can't correct it. Or try a new Chuck This is actually my third Porter-Cable drill press in the past 2 weeks, the first one didn't drill at all. No qc from Porter Cable, but you might get a good one.
 
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