Strands: S68 Drill Press Manual

If you cannot find the S68 manual, look for the (smaller) or S70 (larger). The mechanical principles, especially the Reeves drive adjustment, are nearly identical across the S6x series.

High-quality construction suitable for precision metalworking; similar models in the Strands lineup handle diameters from 25mm to 40mm. Strands S68 Drill Press Manual

Both the table and the headstock can be adjusted vertically to accommodate different workpiece sizes. If you cannot find the S68 manual, look

| Feature | Metric | Imperial | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Swing | 340 mm | 13.4" | | Spindle Travel | 80 mm | 3.15" | | Chuck Capacity | 1 – 13 mm | 1/32" – 1/2" | | Spindle Taper | B16 (Morse Taper 2 optional) | | | Speeds | 5 (Step Pulley) | 620 – 2850 RPM | | Column Diameter | 70 mm | 2.75" | | Base Size | 300 x 450 mm | 11.8" x 17.7" | | Motor Power | 550 W (0.75 HP) | | | Weight (Floor model) | 68 kg | 150 lbs | Both the table and the headstock can be

When working with any power tool, safety should always be your top priority. The Strands S68 drill press manual emphasizes the importance of following safety guidelines to prevent injuries and damage. Some essential safety precautions to keep in mind:

| Problem | Likely Cause (from manual) | Solution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Worn Reeves drive bushing (part #S68-19) or misaligned motor plate | Loosen motor mounting bolts, align pulley faces with a straight edge, retighten. | | Drill bit wanders (runout) | Spindle bearings worn or quill loose | Check quill lock; if tight, replace angular contact bearings (SKF 7204). | | Cannot change speed | Dried grease on variable speed sheave | Disassemble pulleys (per manual diagrams), clean with mineral spirits, apply light oil. Do NOT use grease. | | Table won't raise/lower | Stripped rack gear or locked worm gear | Remove the crank handle, flush the worm gear housing with kerosene, re-lubricate with open gear lube. | | Motor hums but doesn't start | Dead start capacitor (if single-phase) or centrifugal switch stuck | Remove motor end bell (unplug first!). Replace capacitor with same microfarad rating. |

Speed changes are performed via levers on the head; always ensure the spindle has stopped completely before shifting gears to avoid damaging the internal teeth. Safety Features: