Union (Boxford) PD4 Pillar Drill

Sorry for the late response, I've only just spotted this. The most likely reason you're getting this is because the URL starts with "http://" rather than the later "https://". The "https" mode is more secure, but it doesn't necessarily mean the "http" site has a Trojan, just that it is more vulnerable to being infected, and subsequently infecting you. In fact, "https" works on that Boxford site as well, so the url should be changed to "https://www.boxford-software.com/etc" for better security.

Hi Bob

Thanks for the suggestion - unfortunately, changing it to "https" doesn't make any difference

It's Malwarebytes that blocks it. However, I can override it when, as in this case, I'm pretty sure it's safe.

Rob

Chris

I have taken some pulley measurements from my PD8 for you. It is very difficult to get good access to measure them due the position of the drill in my workshop, but these are the best I could get.

62mm - 90mm - 115mm - 130mm

I notice on your spindle photo that the largest pulley is uppermost, on mine the smallest is at the top with the largest nearest the main body casting.

Hope this is of some use to you.
Phil

Phil,

Thank you for taking the trouble to measure the pulleys on your drill. I will try to source some suitable replacements for mine although I think the sizes will have to be approximate as OEM items will not be available.

It was my error in placing the pulley the wrong way up on the spindle. I had just hastily put it back on to take the photograph and had not quite figured out at the time how everything fitted together properly. Obviously, I know now that the belt guard casing will not fit over this inverted pulley.

Clearly, the drill will be usable with the 3-step pulleys until they are replaced. It rattles slightly in back-gear, but there again so does my lathe, so I think this is normal for straight cut gears. I have fitted a new key-less chuck and given everything a good cleaning and lubrication so I think this machine will now serve as the 'proper' drill I promised myself 40 years ago when I had to buy some 'cheap Chinese rubbish' because that was all I could afford at the time. Actually, it's a Taiwanese branded Nu-Tool bench model that has given 40 of good service, still works perfectly well and cost me £150 in 1983, second-hand from a local tool dealer. Amazingly, they still cost about the same 40 years later but are branded differently.

Good result. You can buy stepped pulleys on eBay in standard sizes that could probably be adapted to suit if you wanted.

To be honest, when I measured the pulleys for you it was the first time I have opened the pulley cover for years.

My belt is permanently left on the second to highest speed pair and all I ever do is drop it into back gear when I am using bigger drills.

The reason for this is that it also has a three phase motor and VFD fitted, with that combination I dont need to swap the belt onto different pulleys.

It might be something to consider before you spend your brass on new pulleys.

I too had a NuTool drill for years, but could never get on with it, the Boxford is a proper machine tool rather than a Chinese toy !!

Phil

I will post some photo's of the simple cosmetic refurbishments I have done on on the machine, it is up and running, looks acceptable and will do the job it was designed to do, but I have to admit it has probably seen better days. However, it does not equal my 'cheap Chinese rubbish' which, after 40 years moderate use, is still accurate, quiet and more convenient to use with a rotating table and a rack rise and fall, all available on the old British machines but at a greatly increased cost which was the way of doing business in those days.

In 1978 I bought a new Myford ML7R lathe for £552 (since enhanced to be a Super7 except for the serial number) but when it arrived it was totally useless. It cost me as much again for a motor, switchgear, a chuck and few other bits of tooling. I still have the machine and nothing, except my passing, will induce me to part with it but if I were to be starting again I would not think twice about purchasing a far-Eastern machine from a reputable distributor because I know it would be almost 'plug and play', equipped with a motor, chucks, steadies, lighting and coolant, you name it.

I understand the sense of nostalgia for elderly British manufactured machinery within a community that values the engineering skills of industry in the past, I feel it myself, but the world has moved on. Modern technology eliminates the difference between national skills, wherever it is written the software that drives modern manufacturing plant will produce exactly the same thing in Sheffield as it does in Shanghai. I put a keyless chuck on the drill which cost me fifteen quid including postage, delivered within a few days and looks to be exactly the same item that some traders are asking as much as four times the price for. Well OK, everybody has to make a living, but whatever the dealers may say, I am not convinced there is any difference between the products. Although some people will disagree, they appear to be identical to me and for my requirements they are all very acceptable.

Edited By Chris Crew on 31/01/2023 19:45:34