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Thread: Tough Machinery Perth
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17th February 2014, 12:32 PM #1
Tough Machinery Perth
I have just acquired a floor mounted drill press made by Tough Engineering in Belmont WA. I remember the name in the 60's but I wondered if anyone has more information or history about the the firm. My press is very heavy and rusty so I think it will be a while before I can use it.
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3rd March 2014, 02:35 PM #2
PICS OF THE BEAST
Some pics of the Tough drill press. It is obviously very old and rusty and I intend to get it sandblasted and paint it. It is in working condition. Any info about Tough Machines/Engineering who were based in Belmont WA would appreciated.
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3rd March 2014, 04:02 PM #3.
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- Feb 2006
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- Perth
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- 24,746
Thanks for posting the pics. Sorry I can't tell you anything about Tough but I have used a few of them, for instance, we have a bench mount one at our mens shed.
I'd be careful about getting someone to blasting components that need to fit and slide over each other as trey may keep blasting tip the get rid of pits. It may be better to use electrolysis and lift with any non critical pitting. If it is critical it may be possible to fill the pits by welding.
Anyway I'm looking forward to see it back in shape.
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4th March 2014, 08:04 AM #4
Try Antique machinery and tools re your query
They also made a wood lathe and a hollow chisel mortiser which was based on the drill press.
My memory is vague but they may have produced a chain mortiser as well.
The guys on the Antique site would know.
H
Duh that is a mortiser you have, the attachment for holding the shank of the square chisel is missing but you have the vise for holding the work.Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)
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4th March 2014, 11:10 AM #5Banned
- Join Date
- Jul 2013
- Location
- Perth
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- 628
When they went bust
When they went bust, the employees bought the right to continue to cast parts and make machines etc and they managed to keep the brand alive for a while in the old Belmont premises - but I guess cheap imports from China and the guys themselves getting old and sick etc led to eventual retirement and downturn etc until it did finally close.
I had one of their wood lathes and Hollow Mortice Chisel pedestal drills for about 20 years!.
They were tough - no getting past that! My great Uncle had the mortice drill before me.
I'd have those 2 machines back again any day - just coz 'm already familiar with their operation idiosyncrasies - I wouldn't have to "learn new machines" - tho I am sure new machines would probably be superior performers maybe these days - but to me the old tough ones are nostalgic.
I remember tough wood lathes when I was 15 in wood shop at high school (74).
They were WA based as well so I guess there's some sand groper parochialism in there as well maybe!
Heck I still think HRH Prince Len (Casserly - Hut River Province) was a WA champion!.
Probably we are a dying breed - tough machine aficionado's.
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4th March 2014, 10:00 PM #6
Tough press
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4th March 2014, 11:43 PM #7.
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- Feb 2006
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- Perth
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- 24,746
It shouldn't but you know how these guys work. They will give the job to a young bloke and say "get this spotless" so they will and in doing so remove too much metal
I only want to get the rust off before painting, and I will probably use wet & dry for the parts that slide inside each other.
I might get the pulleys blasted ... if I can get them off!
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18th April 2014, 10:35 AM #8Try not to be late, but never be early.
- Join Date
- Apr 2011
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- Bakers Hill WA
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Tough Machinery Info
Hi,
I have been told that Rob at Rustic Gallery at 9 Clayton Street, Bellevue might sell a publication about Tough Machinery.
Geoff.
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18th April 2014, 08:20 PM #9GOLD MEMBER
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- Aug 2012
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- Imbil
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Hi guy's,
I have a tough lathe and a chisel morticer they are very good solid machines and will serve me well for many years to come. You're drill press looks great and with a sympathetic clean up the will serve you well also very solid build as advised go cautiously with the clean up and I am sure you will be very happy with the results.
Regards Rod.
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21st April 2014, 02:00 PM #10
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21st April 2014, 09:47 PM #11.
- Join Date
- Nov 2008
- Location
- Perth WA
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- 71
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- 5,641
I have a little Tough bench drill and while I stuffed up the colour ( should have been silver ) https://www.woodworkforums.com/attach...6&d=1331366900 I stripped the previous finishes off, there were several, with paint stripper and used a wire wheel to remove rust. I share Bob's concern about blasting. I filled the nicks in the cast iron with Devcon Steel Putty and exchanged the rooted chain drilled table for an oriental import. I replaced a number of the rusty bright steel components with new. The column is some ground 4140. They are a superb drill IMO.
You can still see the rusty corrugated iron roof of the old F and R Tough factory when driving along Abernethy Road.
Bob.
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13th October 2014, 12:52 PM #12Novice
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- Apr 2013
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- Perth
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- 14
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13th October 2014, 04:25 PM #13.
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
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- Perth
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Geez I wish I had know that parts might be still available.
I'm getting a full height pedestal Tough up and running for our mens shed and spent some of last week fabbing a new motor mount plate.
As you can see the middle pulley tension clamp had broken on the old one (it had been repaired before) so I just decided to make a new plate.
The motor was covered in rust so I tidied it up, replaced the bearings, and tested it electrically while I was on the job.
I'm chasing more of a functions rather than full restore so I wasn't too careful about the paint job.
I won't be restoring the rest apart from the table which has some holes in it which I will fill with steel putty.
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16th October 2014, 03:41 PM #14
Nice bit of fabrication there Bob,
Steve
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6th May 2015, 03:01 AM #15New Member
- Join Date
- May 2015
- Location
- perth WA
- Posts
- 7
on the hunt for tough brand pedestal drill parts
sorry to dig up an old post here guys, but do i understand correctly you may have some Tough drill parts for sale? i'm currently giving my (not so) little darling a bit of a birthday and i'm chasing a few bibs and bobs, specifically two handles. one was missing and the other is bent. while i do have the ability to spin some new ones up i would rather keep it all original or as close to it as possible. i'm willing to pay in kind words, frosty beverages or folding currency.
cheers, greeny