Warco WM 18 mill

This topic has 12 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 10 January 2020 at 21:39 by Stephen Middleton.

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16 July 2017 at 20:02 #13009
Stephen Middleton
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@stephenmiddleton53822
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16 July 2017 at 20:02 #307504
Stephen Middleton
Participant
@stephenmiddleton53822
Hello,

I need some help with WM18 mill.

I have recently been machining a 144 tooth clock wheel on my mill and light coloured smoke has been coming from around the quill area.To machine the brass gear using a thornton cutter I am running a speed of 1500rpm and although the machine is over 5 years old I have not experienced anything like this before.

Any ideas please?

Thanks,

Steve.
16 July 2017 at 20:04 #307505
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
Could be overheating bearings.

Did the quill feel hot? Is it running rough or does it feel tight?

Neil
16 July 2017 at 20:13 #307507
mechman48
Participant
@mechman48
With all those teeth to do it may be having a smoke break in the meantime… , Hahahahahahaha … we're all mad I tell you, we're all mad…

George.
16 July 2017 at 20:18 #307509
Stephen Middleton
Participant
@stephenmiddleton53822
The quill does not feel very hot, it feels the same as always,it does not feel tight and is not running rough.

Are there any lubrication points around the spindle as there is no information in the operating instructions

Steve.
16 July 2017 at 20:29 #307510
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
Is it coming from the speed controller but finding an unusual route out ? Any smell? Is it electrical or hot oil smell? H swarf got somewhere unusual?
16 July 2017 at 20:46 #307512
SillyOldDuffer
Moderator
@sillyoldduffer
Pretty sure the spindle has ball bearings, so no lube points.

Any sign of smoke inside the gearbox if you remove the plug allowing access to grease the gears?

If the quill isn't hot, and the motor's OK, could the job itself be oily or smeared in cutting fluid? That can smoke. If the gears have been oiled, could oil have leached out down the spindle?

Dave
17 July 2017 at 20:07 #307626
Stephen Middleton
Participant
@stephenmiddleton53822
There is no smell and the speed controller is not hot.

Silly old duffer, when you say remove the plug to allow access to grease the gears do you mean the clear plastic sight glass on the right hand side near the control knob for the low gears as there is no info in the operating instructions as to what that is.

Steve.
17 July 2017 at 21:23 #307637
SillyOldDuffer
Moderator
@sillyoldduffer
Hi Steve,

Yes that's right. It unscrews and if you peer inside (a torch helps), you can see the High/Low gear wheels. The rear pair are easier to see than the front pair. You use the hole to blob grease on the wheels. A lolly stick does the job if you don't have a gun or a spray can of White Lithium Grease.

I don't think the smoke could be coming from the control box without you seeing it.

I doubt it's the motor either, but it's worth taking the plastic cover off the motor and having a look. It's held on by 4 small allen screws, two on each side towards the top of the mill.

Dave
18 July 2017 at 19:31 #307785
Stephen Middleton
Participant
@stephenmiddleton53822
Hello,

Thanks for the input from everyone it's good to know that there is plenty of experience out there.

I think Dave that you may have hit the nail on the head about the grease on the gears,I will give it a try when I am in the workshop next week.

Thanks again everyone,

Steve.
10 January 2020 at 08:28 #445612
Stephen Middleton
Participant
@stephenmiddleton53822
Hello, I am having problems accessing digital issue 289 on my iPad.The issue is not showing and only goes up to issue 288.Anyone else having similar problems? Thanks, Steve.
10 January 2020 at 08:36 #445613
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
See this thread, I'll poke Neil again with a bigger stick this time
10 January 2020 at 21:39 #445808
Stephen Middleton
Participant
@stephenmiddleton53822
Thanks Jason.
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