Photo Index - Davis & Wells - Dowel Drill

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Davis & Wells
Los Angeles, CA; Lynwood, CA

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Horizontal Boring Machine
Machine Size:	Single Spindle
Submitted By:	Bruce Henriksen

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Dowel Drill
Date of Manufacturer:	1954/About
Serial Number:	N/A
Last Updated	12/19/2015 3:11:38 PM

Comments:

I was given this drill as a project. It was a bit grimy and had fallen off a truck breaking the motor mount casting. The other issue was rust, everything else looked serviceable. After disassembly the cast parts were blasted and the remaining parts wire brushed, including all the nuts and bolts.

The next issue was to fix the broken part. I drilled and pinned the break line using inch and half steel pins and then and wrapped the sides with a piece of steel, bedding everything in JB Weld. After that cured the edges were drilled and tapped. Six bolts would help strengthen the break line.

A bit of primer and paint, time for re-assembly. The motor is original and made sometime in the 1950's. One of the shunt springs was broken, which was replaced but, still there was a bit of electrical arcing so have ordered a new set.

An air hold down and fence with adjustable stops was added which will make this tool more versatile. The whole drill was bolted to a plywood base and sits on three nylon pads. It doesn't wobble!

This piece of equipment was built in California more than sixty years ago and I'd guess will last another sixty years. In a world of throw-a-way, most wouldn't appreciate the time or money it takes to rebuild a piece of equipment like this. You would never get a new drill that will run as smooth or last as long as this one. Quite pleased with the outcome.

This machine is currently in use at my cabinet shop.

Photo 1:

Comments: Finished Project
Source: Bruce

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Photo 2:

Comments: I added the air hold down and index fence
Source: Bruce

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Photo 3:

Comments: All the parts after blasting
Source: Bruce

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