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?!
Hi Luke,
Remember me? I set you up with the American Lathe in Chico.
I also have a Davis and Wells boring machine as well. Could you send me the list of bearings needed?
Thanks,
Bruce
Luke, I just purchased a Davis and Wells boring machine and I would be very thankful if you could email me a list of the bearings required so I can rebuild my machine.
Thanks,
Bob Merrell
I also just bought a used machine and would be interested in the info on bearings.
Thanks
Bill Adams
Living Wood
303-949-7137
Bruce, Bob, & Bill,
I have to find the list then scan it. Give it a couple weeks and I should have it up here on this page.
Luke,
Not sure if you were able to find the bearing list but I just picked up one these beauties and would love the info before I tear it down and get it into working order. Thanks and you’ve got a great site with very good info here. Thanks again.
Leigh
I just bought a Davis & Well single spindle boring machine. The person That I bought it from said that I can use a jacobs chuck to hold the bits since he did not have any bits.. I saw that you used a chuck on yours If You could help me where did you find the chuck …the website?
Thanks Vance
Dear boring fellows, I too have a D&W machine (model dbm-64), set up with a Jacobs chuck. I’m wondering if the bearings can take lateral loads as well as the axial, because I’d like to set it up with a mortising table that moves wood side to side while milling a slot. If the machine isn’t really designed for that movement, I’m afraid I’ll wreck it in short time. Any thoughts? Thanks, Bryan
Bryan,
You’ve raised a good question. Fortunately enough, I have an answer. Davis and Wells sold an optional mortising attachment for this machine, so the good news is that I’m pretty sure the bearings are designed to take lateral movement. I also know for a fact that the College of the Redwoods school in California has had several of these machines set up solely to do mortising. Hope that helps.
Luke
machine should also be capable to bore up to 200 m.m. by attachment
hey i was wondering if you would forward me the manual, parts list, bearing receipt etc. I just bought one of these and would like to one day restore it, thank you for anyhelp!
Noah
I am looking at buying a Davis & Wells horizontal boring machine with the hopes of using it for mortising. Does anyone have details on the maximum size diameter bits this can take? And does anyone have any idea where I could purchase a mortising attachment for the machine? The one I found is in great shape. The guy wants $350. Does this seem like a reasonable price? Thanks for any help you could offer!
-Ben
Thank you Luke and Bruce!
Luke: If possible I’d appreciate a copy of the bearing list if possible. Getting this great beast of a machine up for use by my students in our high school shop is a priority. We too need an adjustable chuck. I appreciate the information re: the Jacobs 34b and the Supreme chuck. Best to you.
Bruce: Thank you for the connect with American Lathe company out of Chico.
Elise
Hello! My name is Ben and I’m new to the forum. I’m a woodworker from central coast California, and I build furniture/cabinetry from reclaimed materials (my blog: http://www.benriddering.com ).I too just found an old Davis & Wells boring machine, and then I bought a mortising attachment for it (at Davis & Wells Inc.). But the guy who sold it to me didn’t have an owner’s manual for either the boring machine or the mortising attachment. Anyone have one I could get copies of (or know where I might find one)? I’m also looking for a Jacobs chuck for it (Jacobs 34B, 3/4″ 16tpi) if anyone has an extra to sell.
Thanks for any help you can offer!
-Ben
Hello- I am just about to buy one of these machines for $125. I plan to do drilling and tapping in aluminum as well as wood. I have two tapmatics for taps up to 5/8″. I noticed the quill is simmilar to a milling machine-not as big as a Bridgeport but I think ok for my use. by placing an X-T table I can do some milling in aluminum and plastic. I would like any information you can forward including manual and parts list. Thank you, Bob Sullivan Pahrump,Nevada cel tel is 215-385-4284 fax is 775-751-2605
Hi Luke,
We have a Davis & Wells boring machine #DBM-64 that’s been sitting in a corner of our shop for years. Told the guys to pull it out and let’s get it running. Seems to missing a few parts, but I don’t have a manual for it or a parts list, and have had NO luck finding anything online. If you still have it available, could you forward any info you may have for it, including bearing list?? Any help would be so much appreciated!!
My email is pwncarpenters@msn.com or fax to (626) 359-2033.
-Karin Lemley
i have a davis and wells, original color is a green zolatone,
any one remember zolatone?
A few years ago….
I found a jacobs chuck which fits this machine.
after much looking, it was available in England.
A few years ago….
I found a jacobs chuck which fits this machine.
after much looking, it was available in England.
Krenov prefered a DW with metalworking end mills to cut small mortices freehand.
Check his book “the fine art of cabinetmaking” for info.
-jlintott
dis-assembly problem
The collar on the flange which holds the motor mount must be removed to expose the main shaft bearing.
-part #29 from the D/W BORING MACHINE schematic (manual)
This collar is very tough to remove.
Tried everything to unscrew it.
There are a pair of holes down inside of this collar, but i cannot see any reason for those, and no evidence of set screws either.
Anybody have any experience to share?
-j.lintott
e-mail:
jhimos@hotmail.com
Chuck for Boring Machine:
Well,
I looked in the USA (machine supply, etc.)
Finally found the proper 3/4″ 16tpi 34B Jacobs Chuck…..in England on E-BAY.
-jlintott
boy get in line.. i just got the single spindle at a estate sale..
like everyone else , i need a chuck… please e mail me if you have one to sell or just to borrow for a long time !!!
or does anybody know what the internal threads are so i can just buy a threaded drill bit.. is it left or right thread? size?
thanx
Luke,
I recently purchased a Davis Wells horizontal boring machine. I understand that you may have a manual. Also any suggestions on where to get the bits for it? Chuck through ebay?
Thanks,
Peter