Strands S68 Drill Press Manual — Proven & Fresh

Post draft — Strands S68 Drill Press

Got my hands on the Strands S68 drill press and it’s a surprisingly capable little workhorse. Compact footprint, solid build, and impressively smooth spindle — perfect for small shops, DIYers, and anyone who wants reliable, accurate holes without taking up their entire bench. Key things I noticed:

Build & stability: Heavy cast-iron base and column keep vibrations down even at higher speeds.
Speed range: Variable speeds feel well-spaced for wood, metal, and light plastics; easy to change with the belt and pulley setup.
Quill travel & control: Generous quill depth and a smooth, forgiving feed lever make repeatable pocketing and countersinking simple.
Table & adjustments: Tilt and height adjustments are straightforward; the table feels sturdy and doesn’t flex under moderate loads.
Motor & power: Adequate torque for typical bench projects; stalls only under real abuse.
Value: Feels like a great mid-range option — not a precision industrial unit, but excellent for hobbyists and small pros.

Who it’s for: woodworkers, metal hobbyists, makers setting up a compact shop, or anyone wanting a dependable drill press without breaking the bank. Questions about setup, accessories, or mods? I can write a short how-to for mounting, belt-tensioning, or adding an LED work light.

[Any suggested tags: #workshop #drillpress #toolreview #DIY]

The Strands S68 is a high-quality Swedish-made geared head drill press known for its precision and reliability in metalworking. While finding a full digital PDF of the original manual can be difficult, the following technical data and operating guidelines provide the essential information needed to maintain and use the machine. Core Specifications Strands S68 Drill Press Manual

The S68 is typically a floor-standing pedestal drill designed for heavy-duty industrial use.

Motor & Power: Features a 3-phase 380V (or 415V) 2-speed motor, usually around 1.1kW to 1.2kW.

Spindle Speeds: 8 geared spindle speeds ranging from 100 to 2,900 RPM (some variants reach up to 3,600 RPM). Post draft — Strands S68 Drill Press Got

Tooling: Uses a Morse Taper 3 (MT3) spindle intake for various drill chucks and collet holders. Dimensions: Table Size: Generally Quill Travel: Approximately 130mm to 140mm. Weight: Roughly 160kg to 200kg. Essential Maintenance

For optimal performance of Swedish geared drills like the Strands S68, follow these maintenance steps: Strands S68 - The Lathe Company

Belt Replacement

Use an A-section V-belt (A-42 or equivalent). To replace: Build & stability: Heavy cast-iron base and column

Loosen motor plate pivot bolt.
Slide motor fully forward.
Remove old belt; thread new belt over the intermediate pulley first.
Tension: Tighten until you can twist the belt 90 degrees at the longest span.

4. Speed Selection & Gear Changes

The S68 is typically a gear-head drill press, meaning it uses internal gears rather than just belts to transfer power.

Stop the Machine. Ensure the spindle has come to a complete halt.
Locate the Speed Chart. Find the metal plate on the headstock showing speed configurations.
Move Selection Levers. Move the gear shift levers to align with the diagram for your desired speed.
- Troubleshooting: If the gears will not mesh, manually rotate the spindle pulley (if accessible) or the chuck slightly by hand to align the gear teeth, then try the lever again.
Restart the Machine.

The Table

Rack & Pinion Lift: A heavy-duty crank mechanism raises/lowers the 500mm x 500mm cast-iron table effortlessly.
T-Slots: Standard 14mm T-slots for securing machine vises or angle fixtures.
Rotational Swivel: The table rotates 360 degrees around the column and tilts 45 degrees left/right for angled drilling.

Design & First Impressions

The S68 greets you with solid steel where it matters and clean, no-frills ergonomics everywhere else. The column is stout, the table adjusts with predictable smoothness, and the head feels compact but capable. It’s the kind of tool that looks like it’s been invited to the job and immediately gets to work.

3. The Swedish Motor and Drive System

The S68 was typically equipped with high-quality Swedish motors (often ASEA or similar) known for quiet operation and high torque.

Step Pulley Simplicity: The manual emphasizes the step-pulley system for speed changes. While it lacks the digital ease of modern variable speed, the mechanical connection provides positive power transfer without the slipping belts found in variable-speed pulleys of the same era. For the machinist, changing speeds is a deliberate, tactile engagement with the machine.

Anatomy of the Strands S68: A Parts Breakdown

Based on the original exploded-view diagram from the manual, here are the key assemblies: