Kira Drill Press with 1/2hp 90v dc motor and KB variable speed drive.

[Rauce]

I need to make some space in the shop and I’ve realized that since I got a knee mill I rarely use my drill press anymore and can easily live without it.

This thing is a bit cobbled together but it does work fine. The table and table arm don’t match the head so the spindle and table centers don’t match. The belt guard is missing. The step pulley diameters don’t match so belt changes are a little more tricky but honestly with the variable drive you don’t really need to ever change the belt.

The keyless chuck on it is 5/8” capacity and in like new condition. I clocked it on the spindle to minimize total runout, if I recall correctly it’s around .002-.003” with a ground pin in the chuck. Also has a digital depth gauge on it.

I feel like most of the value is in the drive/motor so I feel like $200 is a fair price but I’m open to offers. I still have most of the drill press vices in the photos so if you want one of those we could work it into the deal.

Located in Hamilton Ontario.

 

[DavidR8]

I had a press like that and it was a very solid machine.

 

[Gordie]

Boysa Rauce - don't oversell the machine eh! This and that don't match, cover's missing. Has a nice chuck.
I assume that there's no forward/stop/reverse.

 

[Rauce]

Boysa Rauce - don't oversell the machine eh! This and that don't match, cover's missing. Has a nice chuck.
I assume that there's no forward/stop/reverse.

The forward/stop/reverse switch (w/ braking resistor) is an extra you can add to the drive. PN# 9860.

The AC input voltage can be changed with an internal switch from 120 to 240 or vice versa.

Output can be changed with a resistor, it has to match the HP of the motor being used.

 

[Rauce]

I had a press like that and it was a very solid machine.

Yeah the head casting is noticeably heavier than a typical cheap drill press.

 

[LenVW]

Nice robust drill press. Good keyless chuck.
Give it a few days . . . Ross.
Your easy to get to, near the 403 and King Street West.

 

[CWret]

It’s great. Old school - well built, very heavy and solid.
Brought it home today.
Thanks Ross.
CW

 

[trevj]

It’s great. Old school - well built, very heavy and solid.
Brought it home today.
Thanks Ross.
CW

Well, if you bought it, good on ya! Suggest the forward/Reverse/Braking resistor mod be a priority!

I have been haunting the Assets Sales looking for one of the DC Drive Rockwell drills that I used at my last work place, for tapping multiple holes. With a microswitch on the quill depth gauge, you can run very high rpms, and have the drill bang into reverse when it gets to the bottom of the hole (or through).

I did a Copper Grounding Buss Bar, for a radio installation in a new Air Traffic control center one lunch hour on one such machine. Two rows of alternating holes (zig-zag pattern) along 8 feet of copper strip a 1/4 inch thick.
The guy that thought he was my boss (same rank as me at the time) had destroyed three taps and several holes, trying to hand tap them. I did the work order while he was at lunch, and Pee'd him off royally as i would not tell or show him how.

How I did it, was to go to the canteen, and mooch about a dozen high-fat coffee creamers, and use that for lube, along with the DC Drill press. The Milk fat in Cream, is a GREAT lube when tapping copper! Once the drill press was set up, it was about ten or less seconds per hole, most of that was getting a layer of coffee creamer onto the tap! Seriously (and a thank you, out to Guy Lautard!) animal fat is a pretty good cutting lube on some miserable materials!

 

[CWret]

Thanks- that would be a good upgrade but I’ll not likely spend the cash on that. I’m a retired guy with no production projects on the horizon. I posted a picture of the Kira on the forum’s “Keeping old outdated tools in the shop” post #15

 

[CWret]

I found a kijiji 13” king Canada drill on Kijiji. In pretty good condition and only needing a cleaning. I got it for the pulley cover that was missing on the KIRA. Stripped them both down for lube and paint. They are both 13” drills but the KIRA is a serious, well built and solid machine - really outclasses the King. Weighing in at 148 lb vs 88 lb for the King.
I’m going to put the King on Kijiji for $125 - but for a nearby Forum member $100.

 

[PeterT]

I'd like to learn more of your KBMD variable speed retrofit. Did you document that somewhere on the forum already?

 

[Rauce]

I'd like to learn more of your KBMD variable speed retrofit. Did you document that somewhere on the forum already?

The drill press used to be mine, I bought it with the drive already installed. It has a Leeson DC 1/2hp 90v DC motor.

 

[PeterT]

Ah I see, thanks

 

[CWret]

If it helps -
Motor plate says
Cat 098006.00
Model C42028FK1C
and here’s a pic of the control box front and the plate on the top of the control box