How to Replace Quill Spring on Grizzly Drill Press: Setup, Checks, and Common Mistakes
When the quill on your Grizzly press stops springing back after a hole, the return spring has either lost tension or broken, and the fix is well within reach at home. Replacing the quill spring on a Grizzly drill press is a satisfying repair, but the coil is under load, so the setup and the checks around it matter as much as the swap itself.
The quill spring is a flat coil spring inside a housing on the side of the head that pulls the quill back up after you feed a bit down. Replacing it means releasing the old spring’s tension under control, fitting a matching coil spring assembly, and winding in the right preload so the quill returns firmly and smoothly.
Short answer: unplug the press, wear eye protection, release the old spring cap under control, fit a matching coil spring, hook its inner end on the quill pin, then wind in preload until the quill returns fully and lock the cap.
Setup before you touch the cap
- Confirm it is the spring: a quill that returns partway or not at all points to the spring, while a notchy feed points to the quill or rack.
- Note your Grizzly model to match the spring’s housing size and length.
- Have eye protection on; the coil can spring free if released carelessly.
- Extend and lock the quill so you can see the spring cap and its retaining nuts.
The replacement spring
A drill press quill feed return coil spring assembly is a chrome-housed replacement that fits many common presses, Grizzly included when the size matches. Measure the housing diameter and spring length against your press before ordering.
The honest drawback: these springs come in several sizes, so a guess risks a return. Who should skip a new spring: anyone whose spring is intact and only lost preload, which a re-wind fixes.
Replacing it, step by step
- Unplug the press and put on eye protection.
- Hold the spring cap firmly and loosen its retaining nuts, keeping the cap from spinning free.
- Let the old spring unwind under control, then lift it out.
- Seat the new spring’s inner hook on the quill pin and the outer end in the housing notch.
- Fit the cap and wind in preload a little at a time until the quill returns firmly.
- Re-seat the cap in its notch, tighten the nuts, and test the return.
Common mistakes
- Letting the cap spin free, firing the coil across the shop.
- Skipping eye protection around a loaded spring.
- Over-winding preload so the quill slams up, or under-winding so it stalls.
- Ordering by brand instead of matching the housing size and length.
Control the coil, match the size
Replacing a Grizzly quill spring is straightforward when you respect the loaded coil and match the spring to your press. Release it under control, seat the new spring on the pin, wind just enough preload for a firm return, and lock the cap.
Three takeaways:
- Confirm the spring is the fault before disassembly; a notchy feed is not a spring problem.
- Control the loaded coil and wear eye protection throughout.
- Match the housing size and set preload for a full, firm return.
FAQ
How do I know the quill spring needs replacing? If the quill returns partway, slowly, or not at all, or the cap spins with no resistance, the spring has lost tension or broken and needs re-winding or replacing.
Can I just re-tension it instead of replacing? Yes, if the spring is intact. Winding more preload into the cap restores the return. Replace only a broken spring.
How do I pick the right spring for my Grizzly? Match the housing diameter and spring length to your model. Springs come in several sizes, so measure before buying.
Is this repair dangerous? The coil is under load and can fly out if released carelessly. Control the cap and wear eye protection throughout.
How much preload should I wind in? Enough that the quill returns fully and firmly without slamming. Add tension gradually and test as you go.
The feed feels notchy, not weak. Is that the spring? No. A notchy feed points to the quill or feed rack. Inspect those instead of the spring.
References
- Grizzly Industrial, drill press manuals and parts support: https://support.grizzly.com
- VintageMachinery.org, drill press quill and spring documentation: http://vintagemachinery.org
