Hardinge HC rebuild

[northumbrian]

The turret is not an automatic indexer, you have to turn the turret by hand then lock it in place with the handle.
The serial number is on the flat around the spindle lock, and is 1020/1 if I have it correct it may be from the early half of the 1930's

The machine was originally owned by Flight Refuelling Ltd, which make air to air refuelling equipment for military aircraft, I wonder which parts this machine made.
For the last ten years it has been used by a small engineering company in Reading, for small runs of parts.

More pics to follow

[BillTodd]

The serial number is on the flat around the spindle lock, and is 1020/1 if I have it correct it may be from the early half of the 1930's

I doubt it's that old. HLV's that had a similar hand-wheel speed control and bed-design date from the late 1940's to 1960 when the HLV-H was introduced. I'd guess yours is not older than the mid 1950's and maybe as late as the 1960's.

It looks in pretty good condition for an HC; they tend to have a hard life - I repaired a couple of handles on a pair of late 70's vintage HC's a week or two ago that looked far worse. (The plastic carriage handles had worn right through their spindle - How many time must the carriage been up and down to do that???)

The turret should spin to the next index as the lever is opened - There's a lever and ratchet system under the turret that is either worn, broken or, most likely, gummed-up with congealed coolant.


[edit]

I believe the brake is similar to the HLV-H i.e. a solenoid operated lever with a cork pad onto the motor.

Does the solenoid operate? (you'll hear it go clunk as the motor is powered) Or is there no braking? (replace the cork)

The power feed is the same as my one by the look of it - They're easy enough to fix, if the motor is OK. Check the motor brushes and winding resistances first.



Bill

[northumbrian]

The Turret before stripping apart.

As you can see no ratchet to rotate the turret

The following pics, stripping down the turret and cleaning up the bits.

[tico1966]

i have a question based on your pictures. my turret has backlash in some stations, how can i adjust any backlash. adjustments or rebuild.

[esbro]

i have a question based on your pictures. my turret has backlash in some stations, how can i adjust any backlash. adjustments or rebuild.

Hi, I have just sold my HC, but thanks for your question.
From what you ask, it seems that the backlash is located at the small pads on the turret.
If I remember correctly, these pads are adjustable by screwing them in or out. There may be a small grub screw to stop the pad from screwing itself out.
I would make the adjustment at mid-point on the turret-lock taper.
I hope this helps. .... Steve