Emco Compact 5 milling table restoration

[riktParticipant @rikt]

Hello,

I want to use this site more instead of Facebook groups, so here I will be documenting my work on my newly acquired Emco Compact 5 milling table.

The first thing I noticed is that the table moved independently of the leadscrew in the X-axis. After taking it apart, it turns out the 2 bolts in the leadscrew nut were broken off. No other damage as far as I can see.

I also had to buy the column support separately. After receiving it, I noticed the hole was too big (about 37.8mm, while the column is 35mm). I suspect this was bored out somewhere in its lifetime, as the hole was fairly round and straight. Because these are hard to find, I decided to make a brass sleeve to go in between the column and the support. This way I can still use it, instead of searching for months for a replacement. Seems rigid enough.

Next step, further disassembly and cleaning.

[riktParticipant @rikt]

Made some progress. The nut of the y-axis handwheel was completely stuck, it took a lot of soaking in WD40, applying heat, and a lot of force to get it loose. But I got it in the end.

Now everything is disassembled, now I can begin cleaning everything.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Seems this machine had not just been neglected but abused by its previous owner!

[riktParticipant @rikt]

Some progress,

I sanded down the bottom of the base, the top has not been sanded of course but cleaned with Bar Keeper’s Friend, to remove dirt and rust.

The intermediate body has also been cleaned.

I tried to undo the damage I did while disassembling the handwheel : I 3D printed some soft jaws for the lathe, and sanded away the scratches as much as I could.

Both handwheels were then soaked overnight in Evaporust. Came out nice and clean.

I’m now planning to blue the handwheels again. I have some bluing chemical, but I have not been able to produce good results with this method. I read that this is mostly used for touch-ups. So any tips on hot bluing (and what I would need for this) are welcome.

I’m also taking my time to draw each component in CAD. When I have the complete assembly in 3D, I’ll try to design some accesories like mounts for DRO scales.

[Graham MeekParticipant @grahammeek88282]

Hello Rikt,

I have had very good results with Jenolite Koldblak. This is as the name suggests a cold blacking process.

Regards

Gray,

 

[PeteParticipant @pete41194]

I have the same Emco table rikt. These are quite well made and accurate. In case you don’t already know this, during reassembly make sure to leave the hand wheel support bracket screws slightly loose. Then move the table towards the hand wheels as close as you can and then fully tighten the cap screws. There not pinned in place for the correct alignment, so leaving the cap screws slightly loose will allow each feed screw support bracket to self align the feed screws to the center of the feed nuts. If it’s not done that way a misalignment is likely and you’ll then get binding and high rates of wear as each hand wheel moves close to each feed nut. It’s something I had to learn myself and that some may not know.

And your correct that the cold bluing products are really meant for doing touch ups. But if the parts being blackened aren’t almost surgically clean, the results will be quite poor. Final cleaning each part in something like isopropyl alcohol and then not touching them with your fingers until there blackened should help. The hot caustic method is much more permanent and durable of course. But fairly expensive and more complex than many might be willing to invest in for just a few parts. Even maintaining the temperature within a very few degrees is quite critical while the parts are being blackened. And most hot caustic blackening methods I know of will also rust other items in the same location from the fumes. For those reasons and for personal safety, it probably should be done outdoors if possible. Depending on where you are, finding a gunsmith with the equipment to do proper hot bluing would be easier and cheaper.

[Eric LucasParticipant @ericlucas71410]

Hi Rikt

Would it be possible to tell me the dimensions of both gibs please?

that would be greatly appreciated

eric

[Graham MeekParticipant @grahammeek88282]

The Milling Tables for the early Compact 5, Unimat 3 and Maximat Mentor Milling machine, (often mistaken for the Emco FB2), were all made in Spain. Unfortunately I have not been able to remember the name of the Company that made them, but I suspect someone on the Forum will know.

Regards

Gray,

 

[Eric LucasParticipant @ericlucas71410]

Rik has kindly offered to measure them for me.

I didn’t have a manual for mine,

wasnt sure if they published one

eric

[Author]

Posts