Boxford bud lathe headstock lubrication

[Paul StarkParticipant @paulstark15270]

Good morning, my name is Paul Stark, I have just joined the forum.

Having recently purchased a late model (1979) Boxford bud lathe, serial number bud-111-39963, I have a question please regarding lubrication of the headstock spindle bearings. I simply cannot find any way of greasing them, there are no grease cups or nipples on the headstock…

The lathe started life in a workshop that was set up to provide occupational therapy for adults with mental health issues, but due to health and safety concerns, it was unused. The workshop closed and the lathe was purchased by a gentleman who stored it for many years, where it remained unused.

After a long search for a lathe to replace my old Myford super 7, I came across this Boxford bud for sale. It was completely covered in a thin layer of protective grease (this made moving it interesting) underneath layers of protective sheets. On closer inspection it did indeed appear to be unused. It was complete with most of the original equipment, in original boxes. Needless to say, I couldn't believe my luck and paid the asking price, which was a fair bit higher than these lathe seem to go for currently.

Having cleaned and oiled the lathe and fitted a VFD from Drives Direct. I am reluctant to try the lathe under power, because the headstock spindle seems stiff to turn by hand. I have removed the aluminium cover plate from the front (chuck) end of the headstock, and the roller bearing is packed with grease, this is not hardened, but must have been in there for over 40 years. I wish to clean this out and replace it with fresh grease before using the lathe. I am reluctant to attempt to strip the headstock to do this, there must be an easier way? in the absence of grease cups/nipples, how do I best go about this?

Any advice/suggestions would be much appreciated.

Sorry if I have rambled on a bit, but I do wish to proceed with caution, as it's a lovely lathe.

Paul.

[Paul StarkParticipant @paulstark15270]

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Hi there. They are 'greased for life' so not regularly needing top up. In this case you might be right in doing a change. Actually the headstock is a doddle to take apart if you make a set of C-spanners for the rear locking rings. Otherwise you could just go for squirting white spirit in with a syringe to wash the existing out and then same for replacement. The reassembly preload setting is a bit unusual – tighten until torque to rotate is some figure I can't remember off hand.

There is a book 'know your lathe' that is specific to the Boxford / Southbend and exploded parts diagrams online if you search a bit. Also lots of previous threads on here about Boxfords, maintenance and use thereof.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Have you found the Lathes UK site?

**LINK**

[Paul StarkParticipant @paulstark15270]

Posted by Bazyle on 30/06/2020 13:43:50:

Hi there. They are 'greased for life' so not regularly needing top up. In this case you might be right in doing a change. Actually the headstock is a doddle to take apart if you make a set of C-spanners for the rear locking rings. Otherwise you could just go for squirting white spirit in with a syringe to wash the existing out and then same for replacement. The reassembly preload setting is a bit unusual – tighten until torque to rotate is some figure I can't remember off hand.

There is a book 'know your lathe' that is specific to the Boxford / Southbend and exploded parts diagrams online if you search a bit. Also lots of previous threads on here about Boxfords, maintenance and use thereof.

Thanks Bazyle, I had considered flushing the old grease out with either white spirit or petrol. The front one will be fairly easy to do, but not too sure about the rear bearing, it looks to be a bit different to the earlier models. It has only one tensioning ring(?) locked with grub screws rather than the earlier models which used two rings which locked together. I think It would need the tumbler reverse gears removing as well the end cover/door frame to access the bearing cover plate to flush it out before refilling with fresh grease. My only real concern is being able to get the bearing preload correct again. The spindle really is hard to turn, so I guess I will have a go at flushing the old grease out as you suggest

[Paul StarkParticipant @paulstark15270]

Posted by old mart on 30/06/2020 14:37:36:

Have you found the Lathes UK site?

**LINK**

Old Mart, thanks for the link, I have just ordered a new drive belt from them. The old one, although unused was as hard as rock.

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