New handles for a boring machine

Brian_Weekley · December 23, 2012, 07:56:55 PM

I acquired a rare boring machine last year—haven't seen too many of this particular style. I took it apart, cleaned, sandblasted, and painted it last year, but it was still in need of handles (one broken and one missing). Since I don't have a lathe, I've been waiting to build a treadle lathe to make handles for various tools--just haven't got around to that project yet. However, I was "bored" last night and thought I'd attempt to make some handles without the lathe.

Took a piece of 2x2 pine, drilled a hole for the spindle, and rounded it over while clamped on the workbench with a smoothing plane. After cutting to length, I tapered the ends with a block plane. A little sanding, stain, polyurethane, and presto—new handles. I think they came out OK and should hold me over until I can turn a nicer hardwood set after I build that treadle lathe someday!

By the way, if anyone knows the manufacturer of this boring machine, I'd be interested to know.

;D

Jim_Rogers · December 23, 2012, 08:04:59 PM

Nice job.

Although I have seen that type before, I don't know the brand name.

:christmas:

Jim Rogers

purple otter · December 24, 2012, 03:05:31 PM

Nice restoration job Brian!!! Is it hard to find bits for a boring machine? I know where I can get a boring machine for $50 -needs handles also-but I'm not sure I will be able to find bits for it.

Brian_Weekley · December 24, 2012, 04:08:00 PM

You really only need one each of a 1 1/2" and 2" bits for the machine. You can find them fairly easily. Jim Rogers has a great assortment of timber frame tools for sale including boring machine bits (all at fair prices). Jim also has good boring machines for sale. You want to make sure there are no broken teeth on the gears. Check out his tools for sale at jrsawmill.com.

mpuste · January 02, 2013, 04:46:45 PM

How are the wood knobs attached to the spindles? On my boring machines there are no pins or through hole so I cannot see what holds the knob in place and I would like to remove and replace one.

Jim_Rogers · January 02, 2013, 05:10:15 PM

There is a metal clip that is round. It fits over the round shaft end of the arm. It is pressed into the knob and it like a spring that it closes around the shaft end so that it can't pull off.

The only way I know to remove a knob, to replace it, is to split it and get the spring metal clip out of the old knob and make a new one the same size and shaped hole. Then press the metal spring clip into the new knob and it's hole and then press that onto the arm shaft.

I don't have a picture of the metal clip or the arm end, right now. But I'll see if I can find one and let you know.

Jim Rogers

Brian_Weekley · January 02, 2013, 06:35:25 PM

On this particular machine, there was a brass sleeve around the handle spindle. The spindle end looked like it was peened over to keep the brass sleeve on. I drilled a 1/2 inch hole in the handle and it was a snug fit when I slid it over the brass sleeve. However, I did apply a dab of epoxy to the brass sleeve before I did the final assembly. If I had cut a slightly smaller hole, I may have been able to press fit it without the need for the epoxy.

When I got the machine, one of the brass sleeves was seized on the spindle pretty good (handle wouldn't turn). After I cut the original handle off, I needed some torch heat and lubrication to free it.