Saint Tricky
New Member
- Messages
- 17
- Location
- Surrey, UK
Hi
I‘m after a bit of advice please?
Finally I’m in a position to change my 12 year old Nu-Tool pillar drill which has served me well and am looking at getting a bench mounted old English drill to refurbish. It will be for home hobbyist use only, largest drill size probably around 16mm with hole saws being used for larger holes.
My main issue is that apart from specs and looks I have no idea which drills are well respected for their build quality and are worthwhile putting in the effort to refurbish.
Originally I was looking for a Fobco Star but am not having much luck finding anything local. I was also a little concerned with the lack of low speeds for when I’m using holesaws/countersinks etc. So my searching has come across the Meddings MB4 amongst others which looks like a candidate but also looks less robust in comparison and is similarly elusive either locally or at a respectable price.
My only previous experience is when I last worked in engineering (11 years ago now ) with a Startrite EFI with most of the gears crunched and an Elliott Progress with slipping belts, both too large for my available space unfortunately.
What are your general opinions of the MB4 and what should I look out for?
Any other hidden gems I should be looking at?
Thank you for your help.
I‘m after a bit of advice please?
Finally I’m in a position to change my 12 year old Nu-Tool pillar drill which has served me well and am looking at getting a bench mounted old English drill to refurbish. It will be for home hobbyist use only, largest drill size probably around 16mm with hole saws being used for larger holes.
My main issue is that apart from specs and looks I have no idea which drills are well respected for their build quality and are worthwhile putting in the effort to refurbish.
Originally I was looking for a Fobco Star but am not having much luck finding anything local. I was also a little concerned with the lack of low speeds for when I’m using holesaws/countersinks etc. So my searching has come across the Meddings MB4 amongst others which looks like a candidate but also looks less robust in comparison and is similarly elusive either locally or at a respectable price.
My only previous experience is when I last worked in engineering (11 years ago now ) with a Startrite EFI with most of the gears crunched and an Elliott Progress with slipping belts, both too large for my available space unfortunately.
What are your general opinions of the MB4 and what should I look out for?
Any other hidden gems I should be looking at?
Thank you for your help.