Castle LB-23 User Manual

Castle System Drill

Model LB-23

Operator Manual

Castle, Inc.

Petaluma, CA

800-282-8338

U.S. Patent No.

5,676,498

Table of Contents

Safety Notification…………………... Page 1

Machine Parts Inventory..……………. Page 2

Machine Requirements……………… Page 2

Setting Up…………………………… Page 3-4

Operating Instructions……………… Page 5

Machine Adjustments………………. Page 6-14

Definition and Description of Parts… Page 15-16

Maintenance ……………………….. Page 17-18

Troubleshooting……………………. Page 19-23

Warranty…………………………… Page 24

DO NOT OPERATE THIS

MACHINE UNTIL YOU HAVE

READ THIS MANUAL

COMPLETELY.

Safety Notification

WARNING: The Castle Model LB-23 System
Drill was designed with operator safety as a
priority. This machine was carefully
prepared for shipment at our factory. Upon
receipt of this machine, inspect for shipping
damage. Report any damage immediately to
the freight company, your Castle dealer and
to Castle, Inc. DO NOT attempt to operate
this machine if you observe any physical
damage. Contact Castle, Inc. at 800-282-8338
for instructions.

1

Inventory

With your Castle machine you should have received the following:

 Warranty Card (Please fill out & mail to Castle, Inc.

to activate warranty)

 LB-23 Operator Manual
 One bottle LB Oil
 One 3/32 T-Handle Allen Wrench
 Left and Right Side Stop Assemblies

Machine Requirements

Electricity: 110V

Air Supply: 80 PSI minimum, 150 PSI maximum

2

Setting Up Your LB-23

Your Castle LB-23 system drill was set up and tested for proper operation at the

factory. It is normal to find a small amount of sawdust residue in the machine

from this process.

 Begin set-up by unwrapping and installing the side stop extensions for

your machine. On either side of the yellow guard you will find two hex
head bolts with T-nuts. Loosen these bolts and slide the side stops on.

 The yellow stop on the side-stop should point to the drill bits.

 Tighten the hex heads.
 Next, hook up the air to the machine. On the right side of the machine

you will find two regulators and two brass fittings.

 The brass fitting towards the rear is the air inlet. You will want to attach

air to the machine at this inlet. Caution: do not over tighten

coupler to fitting.

3

 The fitting towards the front comes with a plug in it; if you want to attach

an air tool to the machine you can use this port.

 For optimal performance of your LB-23 plug your motor directly into the

wall. The use of an extension cord and/or having the machine at the end
of a circuit may impede the performance of the machine.

 With the air hooked up to your machine and the power turned off,

position the foot pedal in such a way it is comfortable for the operator.
Take a few minutes to get familiar with how it operates.

 Pressing halfway down on the pedal will bring the index pins down and

full depression will bring the head down.

 Next, cycle the machine with the motor on and the stock in place.

4

Operating Instructions

Always use eye protection when operating power

equipment.

 Turn on the motor at the switch mounted on the motor facing the front of

the machine.

 The foot pedal operates in two stages. Pressing down halfway brings the

index pins down. Full depression of the pedal brings down the head to
begin boring.

 If you are drilling an upper, the two drop gauges with handles on the

right should be down.

 Push your board up against the first drop gauge and side stop and then

press the foot pedal down to begin the cut.

 To end the cycle, release the foot pedal.
 Next, push the first drop gauge up and slide the board back against the

second drop gauge. Remember to keep the board pressed against the side
stop. Cycle the machine. Release the foot pedal and the upper is
completed.

 To do a lower, leave the second drop gauge up and follow the same

process as the upper.

5

Machine Adjustments

The Castle model LB-23 is designed for use in a wide
variety of materials. You will find that the machine
performs well in hardwoods, softwoods, melamine,
particleboard and MDF. The machine will work on
materials of thickness from ½” to 1 ¾”.

Collet Adjustment

 There are two collets per spindle, making 46 collets per head. The collet

on the bottom of the spindle is used to lock the drill bit into the spindle
assembly.

 The upper collet is used to hold the entire assembly to the head.
 To get the best results the upper shaft collar should be pushed as close to

the snap ring as possible, and then tightened.

Cycle Time Adjustment

Two adjustments control the amount of time that the cutting cycle takes to
complete:

 The air pressure to the head is set at the primary regulator closest to the

rear of the machine.

 The first valve activated in the foot switch is supplied with air from the

secondary regulator, which is the one closest to the front of the machine.
This, in turn, supplies air to the index pins.

 The primary regulator should be set at 80 to 85 PSI.

6