A: Not officially. Strands never offered a mortising attachment for the S68. The quill stroke (80 mm) is too short for deep mortises. Use a dedicated slot mortiser.
Bookmark this article. Then head over to VintageMachinery.org and create an account. Search for “Strands S68” and download any available reprint. Print two copies: one for your shop wall and one for your tool chest. Have a copy of the original Strands S68 manual? Consider scanning and uploading it to the Vintage Machinery archive. Your contribution could help a fellow machinist or woodworker resurrect a classic machine. Strands S68 Drill Press Manual
| Interval | Task | |----------|------| | | Wipe down column and table; remove metal chips and dust. Check belt for fraying. | | Weekly | Lubricate the quill rack and pinion gear with light machine oil (ISO VG 32). | | Monthly | Apply grease to the depth stop thread. Lubricate table tilt bevel gears. Check/replace belt. | | Every 6 months | Remove motor and blow out dust from head housing. Oil the spindle pulley bearings (high-temp grease). | | Annually | Check and adjust spindle bearing preload (complex – refer to manual drawings). Clean and re-grease return spring housing. | Troubleshooting Common S68 Issues (Manual Edition) If your Strands S68 is acting up, consult this section from the original manual’s troubleshooting chapter. A: Not officially