Getting a King 5-Speed Drill Press Crank Handle Replacement Right: Fit, Tools, and Final Checks

A cracked or missing table crank handle on a King 5 speed press makes raising and lowering the table a two hand wrestle, and it is one of the more satisfying quick fixes on the machine. The one thing that trips people up is the fit: the handle mounts on a shaft or hub with a specific bore and retention, so a replacement that is close but not right either slips under load or will not seat at all. A King 5 speed drill press crank handle replacement is a five minute job once you match the handle to the shaft and confirm how it locks on.

The crank handle turns the pinion that drives the table up and down the column’s rack. It mounts on the elevation shaft or a hub, held by a set screw on a flat, a pin, or a threaded stud, so the fit is set by the shaft diameter and that retention method.

The direct answer: with the press unplugged, measure the shaft diameter and identify how the old handle locks on, then fit a replacement handle matched to that bore and retention. Confirm the handle seats fully and locks positively so it does not slip under the table’s weight.

The fit, measured first

With the press unplugged:

• Measure the shaft or hub diameter the handle mounts on. This sets the handle bore.
• Identify the retention. Look for a set screw on a flat, a roll pin, or a threaded end. The replacement must use the same method.
• Check the handle style. A three arm hub, a single crank, or a spoked wheel, matched to what your press uses.

A matching drill press crank handle sized to your shaft is the core part. If the press uses a three arm hub, a three arm handle hub matches that style, and a fresh set screw or locking pliers set helps seat and secure it.

The replacement, step by step

1. Unplug the press and support the table so it cannot drop.
2. Loosen the set screw, drive out the pin, or unthread the old handle, and remove it.
3. Clean the shaft and the flat.
4. Slide the new handle onto the shaft, aligning the set screw with the flat or the pin hole.
5. Seat it fully and lock it: tighten the set screw on the flat, drive the pin, or thread it home.
6. Test raising and lowering the table under its own weight for a positive, slip free grip.

Where people go wrong

The first mistake is buying a handle by appearance without measuring the shaft bore, so it will not seat or spins loose. The second is ignoring the retention method, fitting a set screw handle to a pinned shaft or the reverse. The third is not seating the set screw on the flat, so the handle slips under the table’s weight and rounds the shaft.

The verdict

Replacing a King 5 speed crank handle is quick once the fit is right. Unplug the press, measure the shaft diameter, and identify the retention before ordering. Fit a handle matched to that bore and locking method, seat it fully on the flat or pin, and test under the table’s weight. Match the bore and retention and the table cranks smoothly with a positive grip again, no slipping and no rounded shaft.

Three takeaways:

1. Measure the shaft bore before ordering a handle.
2. Match the retention method: set screw, pin, or thread.
3. Seat the set screw on the flat so it cannot slip.

FAQ

How do I replace the crank handle on a King 5 speed drill press? Unplug the press, support the table, measure the shaft diameter and identify the retention, then fit a matching handle, seat it fully, and lock it on the flat, pin, or thread.

How do I know which handle fits? Measure the shaft or hub diameter for the bore, and identify whether the old handle locked with a set screw on a flat, a pin, or a thread. Match both.

Why does my handle slip under load? Usually the set screw is not seated on the shaft flat, or the wrong retention was used. Seat the screw on the flat, or match a pinned or threaded handle to a pinned or threaded shaft.

What style handle does the King use? Check yours: a single crank, a three arm hub, or a spoked wheel. Match the replacement to the style and the shaft bore.

Do I need to remove the table? No, just support it so it cannot drop while the handle is off, since the handle controls the table elevation.

Can I use a generic crank handle? Yes, if it matches the shaft bore and retention method. Generic drill press crank handles are readily available in common sizes.

How do I confirm the repair? Raise and lower the table under its own weight. The handle should grip positively without slipping, and the shaft flat should show no rounding.

References

1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Woodworking eTool: Drill Presses. https://www.osha.gov/etools/woodworking/production/machines-tools/drill-press
2. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, Drill Presses. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/metalworking/drillpresses.html