Electronic Speed Control for WEN 4214

[Harrzack]

Recently I added a WEN 4214 drill press to my shop, but was VERY disappointed at the mechanical variable speed. While it did work, and nicely built, it was as noisy as a rock crusher and a bit inconvenient to use!

So after much YouTube and forum research, I came up with plan to use a DC motor from a treadmill, and then have the speed controlled by an Arduino. Nothing that hasn't been done before - but it is done now and works nicely and has a couple advantages. Is quite quiet, and when you turn off the DP - the DRO goes out (like it should), and still shows accurate RPM's when running.

I've outlined the various steps (very general) that I took for this project, and have them (with pix) in a PDF which you can download here http://bit.ly/2AggHB2

[Magicniner]

Thanks for Sharing!
It's a shame the manufacturer's solution wasn't adequate, my 1982 Rong Fu 400 DVM Mill Drill gives a nice smooth 250rpm to 3000rpm using a variable belt drive system.

[Steggy]

My drill press is the polar opposite. It's a 1955 Solberga geared unit, MT3 spindle, eight speeds from 2500 RPM down to 125 RPM, and a one horsepower, three-phase motor. Operating it is somewhat like driving an old truck: you have two gear shift levers, plus a two motor speeds...and there's no drive belt to slip. Needless to say, it produces a lot of torque at the spindle. If your taper-shank drill gets stuck in the work and and the work is solidly tied down to the table, something is going to get busted, and it isn't going to be the drill press.

Solberga Geared Drill Press

[Ironman1]

Got the identical drill press with the Nider brand name. It's an NI64
It is a great drill press.
It was 3 phase so I equipped it with a little VFD and I can dial it down even slower when doing a big hole saw job, etc.

[Steggy]

Got the identical drill press with the Nider brand name. It's an NI64
It is a great drill press.
It was 3 phase so I equipped it with a little VFD and I can dial it down even slower when doing a big hole saw job, etc.

I've cut four inch holes with a hole saw in mine running at 125 RPM (lowest speed), without any chattering or other untoward behavior. I keep the saw flooded with cutting oil, and try not to breathe too deeply and inhale the smoke.

[Ironman1]

I cut a 4 in 1/4" and a 3.5" in 1" plate( with 2 kerf holes drilled. They are a real nice shop machine.
Most use is for 1 to 1.5" twist drill work though