Strands S68 Drill Press Manual ((hot)) -

Understanding the fundamental capacities of the Strands S68 ensures you do not exceed its structural limits during heavy drilling operations.

Move the levers according to the speed chart printed on the gearbox plate.

Use a high-quality ISO VG 68 or ISO VG 100 industrial gear oil (non-detergent, non-EP formula to protect any internal bronze components). Do not use standard automotive engine oil. Strands S68 Drill Press Manual

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:

Unlike modern, disposable tools, the Strands S68 was built in an era of serviceability. The manual is not merely a set of start-up instructions; it is a technical blueprint. Here is why you cannot operate this machine without it: Understanding the fundamental capacities of the Strands S68

: Locate the riveted plate on the face of the drill head.

Blown fuse, tripped thermal overload on the motor starter, or a phase supply issue. Do not use standard automotive engine oil

according to the speed chart riveted to the gear head.

(Text description – actual diagram in original manual)

| Specification | Detail | |------------------------|-------------------------------| | | Bench-mounted drill press | | Drilling capacity (steel) | 16 mm (5/8”) | | Drilling capacity (cast iron) | 20 mm (13/16”) | | Spindle taper | MT2 (Morse Taper #2) | | Spindle travel (quill stroke) | 80 mm (3.15”) | | Number of speeds | 8 or 12 (depending on year) | | Speed range | 200 – 3000 RPM | | Table size | 250 x 250 mm (square) | | Table tilt | ±45° left/right | | Column diameter | 70 mm | | Overall height | 630 – 680 mm (excluding base) | | Motor power | 0.55 kW (3/4 HP) / 1 HP optional | | Weight | 55 kg (120 lbs) |

Locate the two gear levers on the front/side of the headstock.