Figured out the return mechanism

I have been frankly scratching  my bald spot for a while trying to figured out the lever activated return mechanism.   Judging by the amount of travel the lever did, there is no way I can see it engaging the spindle gear.  Not even close.

Mechanism disengaged

Mechanism engaged.

See how far the handle went?

That is as far as the gear makes it, barely touching.

Then there is the mysterious depth stop (?) which has 4 dents for the set screw.

Does not seems to do anything, within the travel of the rods.

But as it is becoming cleaner and cleaner, I can see more small detail like a keyway on the gear shaft.

More cleaning found a matching slot on the gears, Huh.

You can see the gear and the key slots lined up.

key is removed.

The end screw and washer were previously cleaned.

4 teeth missing.

Managed to rotate the gear, was frozen rusted pretty tight, needed to be shocked back into reality. Lined up with sloping frozen key. 

Try lever mechanism again, and omphh, the rods when further than before, the gears meshed, it's working.  And bonus, retract when swinging back the lever. 

Fully engaged and working.

Notice how much further back the lever moved.

The depth stop makes more sense also.

It actually work in that second hole positions it was found.

Disengaged

 Cool.  Now just need a new gear.

Hoping my local millwright can make me a new one.  But first I must get it out to bring it to him

Looks like I'll have to take off the down pressure handle to take off the gear shaft besides it connected to the damage gears, to slip the gear out of the fork.

The gear in question

Notice the fork that engage and retract the gear.

The only way out is to pull back the shaft.

Notice anything curious about one of the bolts

 holding the other half of the casting together?

Yep, its an hexagonal bolt, not square head.  An obvious more recent replacement.

That Post drill has been gone over some time ago.  The frame was obviously opened up (new hexagon bolts).  But the  amazing amount of dried gunk all over suggest it was a long time ago. 

Foot assembly has been taken apart, need a good scraping, derusting etc

Today bought some supplies.  Decided to paint the frame mat black.

Thinking gloss black will look too jarring if I cannot paint every parts without a complete disassembly.  Then I'll highlight the lettering with white paint. 

Got the hardware for the post downstairs, big bolt, washer and nut.

Forgot washers for lag screws, oups, and gloves.

and looks like I also forgot a washer for the bolt.

I was going to buy more Krud Kutter then I spotted this.

Thinking that be great just before painting.

Lots of oil and lubricants all over the poor thing.

After looking at the 3 lag screw out of the bath and brushed,

 too much rust damages, won't trusted them to hold the weight solidly, 

These are the two (2) of the three (3) lag bolts that secured the board mounted post drill to the beam.

Only mystery left is how to take up some of the slack on the drill quill attached to the down pressure wheel.  Guessing the big brass nut that joined them up.   I do not have a wrench big enough, need 1-3/8 inch size wrench.

 Tomorrow list :  Washers for lag bolts, , washer for big bolt, gloves, 1-3/8 wrench

After watching a few videos' on Youtube on similar post drills, came to the conclusion that the flywheel wheel should go off and on a lot easier.  May still need a gear puller, but should not required one.  shaft must have too much rust bloom on it.  Gave it a quick sanding and lube, but not enough apparently.

Tomorrow I have a Rotary business meeting on Zoom, that should take up a lot of my time.  That and her brother is coming over to help with her greenhouse.  May not get much time on the Post drill, but should get those missing items.

Even with all the parts removed already, some being quite heavy, I am surprised at how much wat is left weigh.  Still very heavy.

Bob, who washed his hands a bazillions times already, get some gloves idiot!! :-)