chataigner
Old Oak
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2014
- Messages
- 1,127
- Reaction score
- 55
Yesterday, I became the proud owner of a restored Fobco drill press. 
Such things are very hard to come by in France, high-quality professional gear is almost never offered for sale used, or only for silly prices, and the only alternative is chinese rubbish from the DIY sheds.
Ages ago, I had mentioned on WH1 that I was looking for a decent drill press. Bob, "9 fingers" noticed and offered to look out for one for me. To cut a long story short, Bob did find one, bought it on Ebay, collected it for me, cleaned it up, fitted a variable speed drive and delivered it to my door in France en-route to visit friends in the south. Such incredible generosity - thanks a million Bob. :eusa-clap: :eusa-clap: :eusa-clap:
For those who have not met one face to face, this machine is solid. It weighs a ton, even the pillar is solid bar, not a tube ! Lifting it onto the bench was a challenge for two of us. The bench I'd prepared for it is a wee bit too small front to back so it is sitting at an angle at the moment, but the bench only needs extending by 5cm and then the head can turn to the side to overhang the edge and so cope with big workpieces. Job for next week.
Such things are very hard to come by in France, high-quality professional gear is almost never offered for sale used, or only for silly prices, and the only alternative is chinese rubbish from the DIY sheds.
Ages ago, I had mentioned on WH1 that I was looking for a decent drill press. Bob, "9 fingers" noticed and offered to look out for one for me. To cut a long story short, Bob did find one, bought it on Ebay, collected it for me, cleaned it up, fitted a variable speed drive and delivered it to my door in France en-route to visit friends in the south. Such incredible generosity - thanks a million Bob. :eusa-clap: :eusa-clap: :eusa-clap:
For those who have not met one face to face, this machine is solid. It weighs a ton, even the pillar is solid bar, not a tube ! Lifting it onto the bench was a challenge for two of us. The bench I'd prepared for it is a wee bit too small front to back so it is sitting at an angle at the moment, but the bench only needs extending by 5cm and then the head can turn to the side to overhang the edge and so cope with big workpieces. Job for next week.
