Rexon RDM 150D Drill Press Refurb

Summary

This blog follows the refurbishment of a twenty year old Taiwanese drill press, model RDM 150D, manufactured by Rexon. The drill press manufacturer is still in business at the time of releasing this blog although Rexon only lists one model of floor standing drill press on its website, no spares.

RDM 150D Original State 

Below is the plate for the Rexon 3/4 HP drill press.

RDM 150D Name Plate

As the drill press was still in operating condition, there was principally cosmetic work to be performed on the drill press. 

Rust Removal

Most small metallic items were detached from the drill press to remove the surface rust. Larger items such as the drill press table were mounted in a vice and cut back to bare metal using a wire brush mounted to cordless drill. To keep the dust to a minimum during wire brushing, a light coating of motor oil was rubbed into the rusty surface.

RDM 150D Table After Cleaning

Chrome surfaces were cleaned with 00 steel wool and a good helping of an aerosol lubricant WD-40.

RDM 150D Feeder Levers Before and After Cleaning

Table locking bolts were clamped securely in a bench vice and cleaned with a wire brush. After cleaning a light coating of oil was applied to the surface.

RDM 150D Locking Bolt Before Cleaning

RDM 150D Locking Bolt After Cleaning

The chuck was earmarked for replacement with a keyless variety. The arbor was still retained as it was reasonable condition.

RDM 150D Original Chuck with Arbor

To suit the original Rexon chuck a compatible JT-3 Taper Mount keyless chuck was installed.

Replacement Keyless Chuck

The motor was removed and inspected for possible faults and wear and tear. An insulation tester was used to check for any breakdown in the motor windings. The motor passed a 1000V check between the 240V active and the case of the motor - earth.

Drill Press Induction Motor

During the motor removal the belts were inspected and deemed in need of replacement, no surprise after a decade of use.

Drill Press Dual Belts

The Rexon drill press employs a dual belt system with an idler pulley connecting the two belts. The ratio between the two belts and pulleys determining the speed (RPM) of the spindle pulley (chuck). On the Rexon drill press the position of the induction motor can be moved toward and away from the idler pulley to set the required belts tension.

Drill Press Replacement Belts

Even though the drill press was relatively old, the belts were available off the shelf. The two types used were M-25 and M-26.

Original Mains Cabling

Although technically speaking there were no cuts, exposed conductors or similar issues with the mains cable this was replaced regardless. The old grey cable is best replaced with a thicker insulator such as the orange circular type shown below. Additionally mains plugs have undergone changes where the active and neutral are insulated rather than having completely exposed conductors on the plug.

Replacement Mains Cabling

During the recabling additional light was provided on the work area using an LED on a flexible arm. The fitting point for the base of the light was the service entry located between the spindle and the column.

Raco AC DC Power Supply

To power the LED a 12V DC supply was used from Digikey - RAC04-12SC/W.

Navara LED Fitted to Service Plate

The 1W LED used for the drill press is an Automotive type and usually called either a map reading or flexible gooseneck light. Shown in the image above the Navara 87684BL map reading light with a 40cm arm which retails for much less than any commercial workshop equivalent - whether it is as good only time will be the judge. Note the Navara 5 year warranty!

Old Switch Wiring

All original cabling was removed and discarded.

Start Stop Switch Rewiring

To complete the rewiring the primary of the AC to DC converter was wired to the Start Stop switch. Wiring was made so that the LED could be powered as soon as the drill press was powered.

LED to Drill Press Mounting

Once the LED wiring was connected to the DC side of the AC to DC converter all loose cables were tied away, electrical tape fitted were required and the service plate mounted back onto the drill press.

New Cables Mounted

All the updated orange circular cable was fixed in position with the previous cable clamps.

LED Drill Press Activated

With only natural light in the garage the LED makes a significant difference to the light on the work area. The switch for the light is in the head of the light itself so turning ON and OFF is quick and means that in many instances the arm does not need to be adjusted away from the work area.

Work Area LED Lighting

Lastly a short video was captured of the Rexon drill press in operation. There is final alignment and belt tensioning required to reduce some of the noise which can be heard during a drilling cycle.

Additional

Pictured below is the motor starting capacitor from the drill press, 150 uF, AC 250 V (Working).

Rexon Drill Press Motor Starting Capacitor