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Tool Keeping old outdated tools in the shop

Tool

CWret

Ultra Member
Premium Member
Comparing quality of King Canada and KIRA 13” drill presses. (1st pic below)

In post #15 above i mentioned the two drill presses i cleaned up. Neither are old outdated tools but i thought I’d post this here as a continuation my above post. The KIRA is 50 years old while the KC is getting close to it’s 25th birthday. The build quality of the Japanese KIRA is lightyears ahead of the Chinese KC.
First example: the pulley of the KC is secured to the spindle with a set screw engaging a flat spot on the spindle shaft. Simple but effective. The KIRA goes a few steps further. There is a key held in place by a set screw. The key fits accurately into a machined recess on the spindle shaft (see the 2 pics below). In addition, there is a locking nut that secures the pulley to the top spindle bearing (see next pic).
Second example: Although they look very similar and appear to be about the same size and weight- the KIRA weighs over 140 pounds vs under 90 pounds for the CK.
Lastly, runout: I did a crude runout comparison. I subjected both drills to the same loads and measured at the same distances with similarly mounting locations for the gauge. The lateral movement on the spindle (approximately 25 lb applied back and forth) was 0.001” for the KIRA and 0.007” for the CK. (see photos). This last measurement is not runout but downward deflection on the table with two 12.5 pound dumbbell weights on the spindle handle. KIRA 0.0035” vs KC 0.012”
(I subjected my pathetic POC almost new Mastercraft 8” drill press to similar loads. Lateral spindle movement was 0.026” and downward movement on the table was 0.120”).
Last pic is the KIRA’s new home on my work bench.
 

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Susquatch

Ultra Member
Administrator
Moderator
Premium Member
Nice press. I'm thrilled for you.

Do you know if it has thrust bearings? Could you do mild milling on it?
 

CWret

Ultra Member
Premium Member
Forgot to mention the very nice vise that @Rauce included when i got the KIRA from him. Plus the awesome variable speed DC motor setup.
Also in the pic - it came with the depth DRO.
I added the laser.
 

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Hruul

Lee - metalworking novice
The belt cover for the King Canada, is that a repurposed small metal toolbox? If so, well done.
 

CWret

Ultra Member
Premium Member
Yep - Can Tire tool box @ $29.99
For the KIRA (which i plan ro keep forever) i wanted a proper belt cover that looked correct - that’s why i bought the KC - to get its belt cover. Not so concerned about the appearance of the KC so a tool box is just fine.

Also i should mention (and this really hurts) - i had a 17” HD drill press for 20+ years.
After getting a mill (9 months ago) i decided to sell the redundant drill press because i no longer needed it with the new mill/drill. @Susquatch advised against that and he said I’d miss having a drill press. A mill is a great drill. If you’re very tight for space, then a mill and no drill press is good. But it is very handy to also have a small drill press.
He was r- - - t. Damn that was hard to say.
 
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