Lathe suggestions?

[Journeyman]

Deleted question already answered.

[routercnc]

Well I've had this lathe for just over a year and couldn't be happier with it. DROs have been faultless and were well worth fitting.

Only thing bothering me on the lathe is that the carriage has a very slow oil leak. After a year of ownership it stopped dripping about 2 months ago, and the oil sight glass showed it was empty. I bought some more oil at a recent show and have finally got around to trying to fix it.

First problem was that access to the oil plug was quite tight - not enough space for a hex key. Thought about grinding one down, then decided to make a tool. I had a round aluminium bar with a hex shape on it (from another job) and machined a small hex on the top:



Then held the larger end with an adjustable spanner:


And into the oil grub screw:


Last bit of oil came out . . . .


Along with some free grit presumably from the casting . . .


Cleaned it up, put around 5 rounds of PTFE tape on and tightened it up.


Filled up with fresh oil and . . . . .
. . . it still drips (slowly)!

I might not get on this again until next week end but anyone else had this problem? More PTFE or am I missing something?

[Neale]

I would normally expect to see a head with a machined seating which bears on a matching machined flat on the bottom of the carriage, plus fibre washer. Clearly here they seem to expect the threads to seal. If PTFE does not do the job, then it might be worth trying Loctite 55. I've had a lot of success with that on household plumbing - typically the screwed fittings that go into the bottom of radiators that also rely on the threads sealing. I've had first-time success with every one of those, where using PTFE has been less reliable. Might be my technique, but I'm sold on the stuff. Can't see that it says anywhere that it's good for oil - just potable water and LPG - but I would probably give it a go.

Out of curiosity, what oil are you using?

[magicniner]

The oil is coming out where shafts run from inside to outside, not at the plug ;-)

[cropwell]

I was curious about this drain plug, I couldn't find it on the parts diagram, so I went and had a look at my 290 and it has not got one, but the shafts are oily as Nick suggested. I am not concerned, the sight glass is half way, and soon my shot glass will be full again

Cheers,

Rob

[routercnc]

Hi Neil

Some good suggestions there. Machined surface with fibre makes a lot more sense and I could make something if all else fails. I'll try a bit more PTFE then look into the locktight.
Oil is what Warco recommend for their headstock and cross slide. Have a look in their website as there is only one.

Nick
Pretty sure it is dripping out the plug. The front face where the shafts exit is bone dry. Underneath there were lots of drips gathered around the plug. But I'll double check.

Rob
Strange how your lathe does not have a drain plug. Mine has a similar plug on the upper left side of the carriage to fill the oil and a sight glass on the lower right side. It has power feed and power cross slide.

Thanks all

[cropwell]

My lathe is in bits at the moment (not completely). I had a loud constant screeching noise coming from the motor area, which I assumed was the bearing on the cooling fan.

So I decided to replace it.
To do that I had to get behind the motor,
to get behind the motor I had to take the motor off the mounting studs,
to get to the mounting studs I had to take off the electrical box and lift the lathe off the swarf tray by about 100mm.

I also found that the VFD mounting lugs had broken and the thing was hanging on it's wires. So I have 3d printed new mountings and araldited them to the VFD case.

This is where I am now, waiting to reassemble. I have a new cooling fan despite the old one working perfectly once out and on the bench. (it must have been swarf in it).

I have some 100x50x5 box section and my intention is to make some raising blocks to lift the machine 100mm from the swarf tray to allow me easier access for swarf removal (and repairs if necessary). It also puts the centres of the machine at a better height for me.

I am just waiting for my persistent cold to subside and my arthritis to ease to put it all back together, I can't face a cold workshop at the moment.

[magicniner]

Nick
Pretty sure it is dripping out the plug. The front face where the shafts exit is bone dry. Underneath there were lots of drips gathered around the plug. But I'll double check.

Make a plug with a shoulder and use a Dowty Washer/Seal, job done! :D
Regards,
Nick