Broke my Drill Press!

[JavaDog]

So, my brandy-new Delta drill-press is busted. Sure, it is still under warranty - and I don't think it is all that broken - but still...

I was drilling some aluminum working on my CNC machine, stalled it once or twice until I got a feel for what I was doing. Now, just yesterday I was using a hole-saw on some acrylic and the saw jammed and stalled for a split second and then I hear this loud *SMACK! - CLUNK!* noise from the box that has the belt/pulleys in it. So, I pop the lid and this tiny little bar of metal is laying there - turns out it slides on a goove on the drive-pulley and motor-shaft locking the two together.

It doesn't appear to be broken, but I have tried putting it back into the groove - but it just flies back out when I flip on the drill. I'm going to call Delta - just wanted to complain 'out loud'. Anyone else have this happen to them?

[kong]

I have a simlar key on my miller. The key is held in place with a small grub screw which pinches it into the groove. Just a thought but there may be a small grub screw in there which needs tightening up? I dunno!

[JavaDog]

Originally Posted by kong I have a simlar key on my miller. The key is held in place with a small grub screw which pinches it into the groove. Just a thought but there may be a small grub screw in there which needs tightening up? I dunno!

I will check for that when I get home tonight. It looks like there is a set-screw (#19?) showing on the Parts List. The part that came flying off is labeled as part #100 on that list.

I just got off the horn with Delta, and they sent me out two keys (one spare) express - no questions asked. They were really nice and helpfull too.

[kong]

I see, looks that set screw tightens onto or somewhere near the key. A different problem than I had thought, my miller uses a sliding key on the quill rather than a splined shaft. Glad you got some good service though

[keithorr]

If the threaded hole is deep enough you can screw in another allen head set screw on top of the first and tighten down. Acts as a jam nut would on a bolt. Otherwise the set screw can vibrate loose. I had the same problem on a Jet drill press, same motor pulley. The threads on the pulley were cut sloppy so the set screw had plenty of room to wiggle.