Keen Bench Drill

[rxh]

I recently found this nice little Keen drill press by M C Gooding of Keens Road, Croydon. It was rusty and movement was very stiff.





Some oil got it moving freely and I gave it a quick trial and found I could make 5mm dia, holes in ¼” thick mild steel plate quickly and easily.



Although I lived near Croydon for many years, I was not aware of M C Gooding. A little research revealed that they ceased trading in 1959 but I found the drill press in their 1949 catalogue.



I set to work to clean up the drill press and this is the result.

 

[AndyT]

Nice work and looks a practical tool.

But, (I hope you don't mind me asking,) looking at the matching catalogue photo, have you considered taking the paint off the outside of the flywheel and polishing it instead? Or is it too far gone?

 

[rxh]

Nice work and looks a practical tool.

But, (I hope you don't mind me asking,) looking at the matching catalogue photo, have you considered taking the paint off the outside of the flywheel and polishing it instead? Or is it too far gone?

Thanks Andy - that's an interesting idea. I think the best way to polish the rim of the flywheel would be to mount it on a lathe. However, there does not seem to be an easy way to remove it. I suspect that it is a shrink fit on the shaft.

 

[AndyT]

I thought that might be the case. But usability is what really matters and you have clearly achieved that.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I understand how the drill goes round, but how does it go down into the workpiece?

 

[toolsntat]

Apart from the fact that mine had an extra hole bored in the mounting bracket at 90° this looks like the one I regularly use.
The feed rate/resistance is controlled by an adjustable screw on the one I have.
Cheers, Andy

 

[rxh]

I understand how the drill goes round, but how does it go down into the workpiece?

Steve, you turn the handle and the chuck descends fairly rapidly until the bit contacts the workpiece. Then the flywheel starts to rotate and cutting begins, the feed rate being controlled by an adjustment screw (as mentioned by Andy toolsntat above). When the hole is complete, you turn the handle in the opposite direction and the chuck is retracted. This photo shows the adjustment screw.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Thank you. I'd like to see that in action, it looks very clever.
I once had a wheel brace, double-pinion, Jacobs chuck, very good quality. I can't remember the marque, it may have been Record. Green livery, beautiful.
Sadly someone took it. I miss it. I know we have cordless drills these days, but that was a joy to use, especially when doing more delicate drilling, such as countersinking.
S

 

[toolsntat]

I would add that when the bit is in contact with the work, the more force you rotate the handle with, the greater the advancement of the bit you achieve.

 

[Boringgeoff]

Nearly four years ago (March 29. 2022) I posted a photo of a chain drill branded Robert Scaife. Colne. UK, which uses a very similar advance mechanism as your drill RXH. I've posted another photo of it. I think it uses the 1896 patent of Walter Fifield of Augusta Maine USA.

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/ee/43/db/3e6f12ed86b256/US555442.pdf

I hope this is of some interest.

Geoff.

 

[rxh]

Nearly four years ago (March 29. 2022) I posted a photo of a chain drill branded Robert Scaife. Colne. UK, which uses a very similar advance mechanism as your drill RXH. I've posted another photo of it. I think it uses the 1896 patent of Walter Fifield of Augusta Maine USA.

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/ee/43/db/3e6f12ed86b256/US555442.pdf

I hope this is of some interest.

Geoff.

Thanks Geoff - that does look like essentially the same mechanism. Very interesting.