I was using my old Craftsman 15" 12-speed drill press this week to make some clamp racks for the shop. I've had it a long time. I've known since I bought it used off CL decades ago that I needed to lubricate the mechanism to lower and raise the table. Somehow though I just never got around to it. Even though cranking the handle was a bear I was always able to get it moved the few inches I needed. Everything seemed like it always was on Thursday until it wasn't. I just wasn't able to crank it down then I saw the "rack" had bent outward from the column below the table. See the pic. I'm hoping I can put some type of collar or clamp in a couple of places such as near both ends of the distortion. I don't believe I'll ever need to use the drill press with the table that low anyway. My first thought after putting the bailing wire back up was to try some large hose clamps but I'm not sure they'll be strong enough particularly when I lower the table. If I had some that large in the shop I would have tried it anyway. This is a model 113.213850. Made in Taiwan. I am guessing it's a late 70's or 80's model. If I could buy a new rack I might just do that but I highly doubt I could find the part. Anyone got any thoughts on clamping the distorted portion of the rack to the column in such as manner as to actually "fix" it.
I did use some lube trying to get the table raised again - PB Blaster Dry Lube with Teflon. What's everyone's preferred lubrication for machine parts like these in a hobby wood shop?
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Thanks!
Mike