The Old Machine

Davis & Wells Horizontal Boring Machine

Davis & Wells Horizontal Boring Machine model DBM-64

I purchased this machine off a auction site. When I learned about cabinetry and face-frame joinery I used a shop-made version of this machine to drill all my dowel holes. Having a industrial specialty machine will make repetitive drilling a snap. I will be glad to get this thing refurbished and put into use.

I plan on re-painting it in the original color, swapping in a single-phase motor and possible replacing the 10 bearings. I am picking it up later this week and will upload more pictures then.

Bringing it Home 9-16-06

I picked up the machine and have it safely home. A closer inspection reveals only a missing handwheel knob, some normal wear and tear, and the obviously unoriginal paint job.

Research & Facts

Through the owwm site I came into contact with a man who restored this same model machine. He was kind enought to mail me photos and photo-copies of an original brochure, parts list, and a receipt for the 10 ball bearings needed for this machine. These will be invaluable when i need to replace them as the receipt has the bearing part numbers on them.

He also was kind enough to tell me about what size jacobs chuck fits the spindle, if I decide not to use threaded bits. After looking around it seems that threaded bits a bit hard to find and definitly more expensive than standard bits. After watching Ebay for weeks for the Jacobs version of the chuck, I found one that would fit but made by a different company: Supreme Chuck.

The spindle on this machine will accept either of these chucks:
Jacobs 34b with 3/4″ x 16tpi (threads per inch)
(or)
Supreme Chuck 9F 3/4″ x 16tpi

To my knowledge and after extensive research on the web, these are the only two chucks made that will fit this size spindle. Below is a shot of my Supreme threaded onto the spindle to make sure it will fit. The chuck needs some good cleaning and polishing but is very smooth opening/closing. Did I say this this is a BIG CHUCK?!