Brian Jackson

The metal gear rack was actually priced less than I expected, and pipe more than I expected. What I'm more comfortable with is finding a source for an actual replacement post assembly that's specifically called out as a component of the CH-16 drill press. Trying to piece it together from components has quite a few risks of it not working right because some detail or dimension was not properly figured out. Not only that, there's the time required to try and work out all those details. Thank you for the suggestions.

The pipe needed would have a somewhat smaller OD. The one you linked is 4" OD, and the drill press requires something that's 3.? (not at the same place where the parts are right now, so I can't measure it). I noted that the McMaster Carr price shown on that linked pipe was $506.21. For comparison, this looks like a similar drill press complete, new, and ready to assemble with all parts present. https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/drills-drivers/drill-presses/heavy-duty-16-speed-floor-drill-press-38144.html Priced at $300 Harbor Freight has other floor standing models that have higher prices. They show a 20" 12 speed model for about $630.

I was helping a family clear out a house & garage after the owner passed away. Inside the garage we found what is probably and "old/new" floor standing drill press. What that means is the tool is "new" as in it's never been used, but "old" in that it could have been sitting in the box, in the garage, for 20 years. The tool is apparently complete except for one major component. That would be the post that attaches to the floor plate, provides a place for the table to attach, and is finally capped off with the motor unit. The brand of this drill press is "Cal Hawk", the model is CH-16, and the country of origin appears to be Taiwan. Without the post, there's nothing much that can be done with this thing other than use it as a source of parts for somebody that has one of these drill presses, and is in need of parts. Do you think there is any source where one could buy the missing post at a price (including delivery) that wouldn't be to close to what one could just buy a new Chinese drill press of similar capability? The post would have a round four bolt flange at the bottom to attach to the floor plate, and it would have a rack gear on it for the table. I've never tried to source a part like this before, so I'm just asking what's possible. My Internet research so far has not turned up anything useful. Brian