Interesting high speed "flott" drill.

[Gareth J]

I picked this up recently and thought I'd put up a few pics as it's a bit different and who doesn't like a few machine tool pics.

Flott, not much online about the company. Maybe German, fasteners are all metric.

3phase, 2 speed. Currently running a capacitor to get it to work on single phase, only works on low speed with that. I've not tried it on my 3 phase static converter, I'd like to hear it at 9000 rpm!

But there's no table! No need, bung the handle in the top and the whole drill head winds up/down.

Not seen that before.

Also the belt tensioner system is great, it's set on a pivot and those two thumbscrews swing the motor back/forth. Changing the belt position is a doddle compared to the typical clamped sliding rod affair.

Not sure if I'm going to keep it or my other small drill yet. Or rearrange the workshop and try to squeeze 3 drills in. It's a really nice drill but only has a 1/4" chuck. Not a problem if I do keep all 3!

 

[Turbo]

That's a nice but unusual drill but unfortunately due to it's high speed & small chuck it be of limited use for general metalwork.

If it has a decent size motor a vfd would bring the speeds down to more useful settings, something to consider.

 

[Gareth J]

Agreed, changing the chuck is pointless as on its slowest it would be too fast for much larger. VFD? Maybe, the motor is reasonable, I forget the exact kW. But I don't really need it to chomp away with blacksmith drills as a have a bigger one for that. Question is do I really drill enough sub 1/4" holes to warrant keeping it!

 

[Maker]

. Question is do I really drill enough sub 1/4" holes to warrant keeping it!

If the answer is no, I wouldn't mind looking after it for you.
Lovely looking drill, dare we ask how much it set you back?

 

[Gareth J]

If the answer is no, I wouldn't mind looking after it for you.
Lovely looking drill, dare we ask how much it set you back?

Hmm, that would be telling! It was a bit of a gamble but it's fair to say it's worth more to me than I paid. I'll let you know if I decide it's not for me but you're a bit far away from Cornwall!

Tbh, it'll make a useful pilot drill if I can squeeze it in.

 

[Keith 66]

Flott were a German company, they were until recently marketed by Meddings maybe still are, i have a modern smaller version.

 

[Gareth J]

Flott were a German company, they were until recently marketed by Meddings maybe still are, i have a modern smaller version.

Hi, thanks. Yea, I'd noticed a lot of flott/meddings crossover information when doing a bit of googling, that explains it. Seems like this one may have been before that arrangement though as no mention of meddings on it. I think it was built for export though as the instructions are all in (kinda awkwardly translated) english.

It drills very nicely and despite the limitations of the 3-single phase bodgery holds reasonable torque in the slower (450-1150 rpm) range