Startrite Drill

Hi all,

I have just discovered that my bench drill found at a boot sale some 25 years ago is a Startrite. However since it didn't have its original covers, I have no idea which model. It is a bench drill with 5 speeds which I think narrows it down to one of three - Mercury Mk 1, Mercury Mk 2, Bantam.

Does anyone know what the differences between the models is (apart from the badge which goes on the front)?

Many Thanks

Tim

If you google startrite drill and select images lots will come up and you may be able to get some info that way.

I have a similar problem. A drill that has been reconditioned which I am sure is a Meddings but it appears that they used stick on labels and they have come off. On the other hand it might be a clone.

John

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Hi Tim, The Startrite Bantam has a raised ridge running from front to back on the top belt cover, rather like a 'mohican hair cut' The mercury has a flat cover. If i could work out how to upload a photo of my old Bantam I would. Best regards Pat

Hi again Tim, I have uploaded 2 photos of the 'bantam' in my album, I modified it and was sorry that I sold it. Regards Pat

Thanks for the replies.

John - spent a couple of hours looking at pictures before posting. I have found a manual for the mk1 and a series of pictures of a mark2 rebuild but can't see any real difference between the two.

Pat - thanks for the picture. That must have been an early bantam as the picture I found on the internet looked like a Mercury but the front badge said bantam. Your bantam is mechanically quite different from the Mercury, the picture of the bantam I found and indeed my own drill.

As my drill came 'naked' with no markings I was hoping that there would be some non cosmetic design feature which would identify it. I would like to get hold of the proper casings but will have to wait until I can bail down the model before going on a hunt.

Best Regards

Tim

I have put some pictures of a Mercury and a Mk 2 in my album. I can't see the differnce either. Perhaps it was somethintg to do with a motor spec change or the difference between an MT or screw chuck mounting?

Not much help I suppose but there is also a description in the album from a copied handbook which maybe of use which I got from these people when I needed some spares.

http://www.machinespares.net/

Roy

Edited By Old Elan on 30/06/2015 19:04:33

Maybe main difference between Mk1 and Mk 2 Mercury is availability of a lower speed motor. Some Mercurys have data plate listing speeds for 1450 rpm motor only and some list speeds for 960 rpm motor too.

Mercury speeds are very much woodworking being high for metalwork even when lower speed motor is fitted. Perhaps the Bantam has larger spindle pulleys and lower speeds more suitable for metalworkers. Comparing the two pictures here :- http://www.getwoodworking.com/albums/member_photo.asp?a=27868&p=451432 its possible to convince yourself that the Bantam belt cover is wider at the front which would accommodate a larger pulley. But maybe its the angle of view.

Ordinary 5 speed Mercury drills have a direct mounted chuck although the 10 speed one with 2 speed gearbox on the spindle has a morse taper. If the Bantam is the metalworkers version it would be expected to have a morse taper spindle like the very differently styled one in Pats photos. I have seen a Startrite drill of Mercury / Bantam style with an MT taper spindle but cant recall if it was a 10 speed Mercury with gearbox or a plain 5 speed belt drive. It was over30 years back and I was far more interested in the Pollard Corona drill I was intent on buying, regardless of the difficulty of getting it in the car. Didn't fit so I hired a van rather than make do with the Startrite.

Clive

Thanks for the replies.

Roy- thanks for the pictures. Yes I had come across machine spares - it's good that spares are available but they are a bit pricey. Compared to the equivalent new price of the drill they are probably reasonable but when you only paid £20 at a boot sale for the whole thing, a new spindle that comes out at about £150 inc VAT makes me think twice (luckily the spindle on mine seems good).

Clive - you may well be right about the differences, I am beginning to think that there wasn't a great deal between the Mark1 and Mark 2. Pat's picture of his old Bantam suggests that there were two completely different Bantams.

As far as speed is concerned, I am minded to put a three phase motor and inverter on it which will allow some lower speeds and save a few belt changes.

I did get caught out recently, before embarking on this research - I wanted a new chuck and thought the chuck removing collar was the remains of a collared chuck so ordered up a Jacobs 34-33C (the spindle taper is JT33). Wrong! The removing collar is threaded 1" diameter and the chuck requires a 1 1/4" thread. So I have a brand new 34-33C chuck if anyone needs one...

Tim