Strands S68 Drill Press Manual May 2026

  • Table Rack & Pinion: Wipe clean and apply light machine oil periodically to the elevation mechanism.

    • The heart of any drill press is its ability to drill straight, and the S68 excels here thanks to its precision-ground column and chromed quill.

    The S68 uses a combination of sealed bearings and oil-bath components. The manual specifies: Strands S68 Drill Press Manual

    Missing this page? Using grease instead of oil on the splines will cause the quill to stick, leading to inaccurate drilling depths. Table Rack & Pinion: Wipe clean and apply

    Q: Can I use a generic drill press manual instead?
    A: No. The Strands S68 has unique belt sizes (often 1/2" x 42" for the motor pulley) and a proprietary depth stop mechanism. Generic manuals will lead to frustration. The heart of any drill press is its

    Q: My manual is in Swedish. Any translations?
    A: Yes. Many owners have translated the critical sections (speed chart, lubrication). Use Google Lens or post in forums for a shared English version.

    Q: The manual says “Type 68B.” Is that the same as S68?
    A: Typically yes. "S68" and "68B" often refer to the same chassis, with the latter being a slight revision in the belt guard or motor mount.

    | Problem | Likely Cause | Solution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Runout (wobble) | Dirty Jacobs taper or bent spindle | Remove chuck, clean taper with acetone, reseat firmly. | | Won't start | Thermal overload tripped | Wait 10 minutes. Press red reset button on motor housing. | | Gears grinding | Attempted shift while moving | Stop machine. Rock spindle by hand while shifting. | | Table won't crank | Dried grease on column | Loosen table lock. Spray penetrating oil under table bracket. | | Quill sticks | Broken return spring | Remove quill stop. Manually retract. Replace spring (Part #S68-14). |