Boxford BUD apron clutch jamming

[Daniel BrannanParticipant @danielbrannan48897]

Hi

I’m having issues using the apron feed clutch on my BUD. Mine is the old style one with the 2 semi circular steel plates that dig in to the steel cups. I’m finding that when the clutch star nut is slackened, the unit kind of jams so you don’t get that nice spring return on it and it doesn’t really disengage. I’ve stripped it and there’s some wear on the shaft grooves that the circular pieces pivot in but not enough that it would jam (I don’t think) and when on the bench it seems to move freely. It’s very odd. Are these known for being a bit flaky?

Regards

 

Dan

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

No, they generally work very well. I think Mr Pete on YouTube did a video on cleaning, fettling and adjusting one on a South Bend (essentially the same as your Boxford). I think it was this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz9pZfGE-U0 but you might have to watch a few to get the right one if it isn’t.

Rob

[Daniel BrannanParticipant @danielbrannan48897]

Thanks I’ve just watched it and to be honest I think I might have just misunderstood how it is meant to work. I had assumed that if I undid the clutch nut and so ‘unlocked’ it I was meant to be able to pull the lever for momentary power transmission; that guys video suggests you just tighten and untighten every time

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Yes, it’s a tighten/loosen job. You soon get used to it.

Oh, if you do dismantle it, remember the screw is left hand thread.

Rob

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

By the way it is not a dog clutch, ie two state either on or off. It is a friction clutch and meant to be tightened up only just enough for a cut so that if you hold the handwheel you can stop the saddle. If you have to do it up tighter than this to make the cut then you are trying to take off too much.
From its design I suppose if it wears the angle of the two ‘moons’ might flatten out and make it more likely to jam. I’m in the habit of pushing the star wheel as I slacken it.

[Daniel BrannanParticipant @danielbrannan48897]

On the topic of the 2 moons – one of them has a machined flat face on the straight edge. Is this supposed to go up or down? Not sure if you can see it from the picture but the one on the right has that flat face but only on one side

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Twenty years since I had mine apart so can’t remember but think it would work best with the chamfer towards the back of the lathe.

[Daniel BrannanParticipant @danielbrannan48897]

Thanks. One question – grind stone cowboy said there was a left hand thread somewhere. Neither the clutch wheel nor the locking bolt in the centre of the shaft were left hand on mine anyway. Could something be non standard on mine I wonder?

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

The screw that holds the star nut in place is normally left-handed.

Rob

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