Boxford Model A stopping on slow speeds…?

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by Speedy Builder5 on 31/10/2018 06:55:41:

DO NOT overgrase the headstock bearings. If you do, it will dramatically slow down the spindle speed especially at the higher rev range. If you do overgrease, remove the grease nipples and run lathe until excess has oozed out.
It happened to me !!
BobH

^^^ True, that. Roller and ball bearings need only be half full (or even a bit less) of grease to operate correctly. There needs to be room for the grease to be pumped about inside the bearing by the rotating balls/rollers. Damage to the bearings can occur in extreme cases of over-greasing.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

The grease nipples for use with oil will be original. Just fill a grease gun with oil. Sure it leaks but it's a workshop not a delicatessen. Don't worry about the excess grease causing damage. Although this can happen to a car bearing or big machine your puny Boxford motor just doesn't have the strength. You will notice the reluctance to run in top gear on cold days though just like the owner.

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

Posted by Ady1 on 24/10/2018 10:06:50:

If you're a total newbie and working on your own then drive slip is actually a good thing

It's miles safer plus it forces you to acquire the skills of cutting successfully on low power

Once you can do good cuts on low power you can ramp things up bigtime later on

EDIT

I cursed my drive slip in the beginning but it really helped me as my ability improved, took about 12 months

to get the basics, working a few hours every couple of days

You will never get the same skills on a big powerful machine because they drive the cut right through every error you make and you never notice any minor but relevant issues

Edited By Ady1 on 24/10/2018 10:12:00

'Ang on a minute! It's not just newbies that get saved by spindles stalling under power!

I've been machining since the mid '70s, and I've still been saved more times than I can readily count in the last few years by my Warco stalling when asked to do something needing too much force.

Part of that is because I don't have a mill so I end up doing ops on the lathe that – shall we say – rather push the envelope of its capabilities…

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Quoting from "Know your lathe" page 17. *1. Headstock Spindle Bearings. These are grease packed and require a small amount (1 cc approx) of new grease every three to six months, introduced through scew cap greasers at the front of the headstock.

There are about 30 recommended greases and oils, then Alternatively: Grease – Any good quality bearing grease as used in garages.

: Oil Any light machine oil S.A.E. 20 grade or similar.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Klueber who specialise in bearing lubricants recommend 1/3 – 1/2 of the free volume but it depends on the speed too.

Useful Klueber reference here.

Murray

[JP SantosParticipant @jpsantos46123]

Wow! thanks gents… you guys are like encyclopedia of information!!

Been a bit too cold to venture out in the garage, but do need to get some bits done, so want to make sure everything is in tiptop condition before using the lathe more.

[Author]

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