Harrison L5 Oil level

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

I have just been given a very good L5.The manual says there is a sight glass for the headstock oil level but I cant see one. How do I know how much oil should be in there? Can it be drained? Thanks

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

[Tony RayParticipant @tonyray65007]

Fizzy,

Can you identify approx which period your L5 was made ? have a look at L5's on lathes .co.uk. No obvious sight glasses on the images there but perhaps your manual and machine are from different iterartions. I suggest also that you join the Yahoo Harrison forum? My later Harrison has drain plugs so I would expect to find a similar arrangement on yours.

[ManofkentParticipant @manofkent]

The oli level glass is at the back of the machine – sort of above the motor behind the headstock – and is combined with the oil fill and drain on my L5. The L5 is an excellent machine in my (biased) opinion…

[RobboParticipant @robbo]

As shown here:

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

Thanks – so its behind the headstock, the one place I cant see as the lathe is butted up against a wall. Anyone any idea of the volume of oil required or a makeshift dipstick reading from the fill hole next to the gear levers? From what I can gather its late 1950 construction.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

> I have just been given a very good L5.

If no-one else will say it, I will. You jammy git!

Neil

[JonParticipant @jon]

From memory cant recall buying more than two litres of ATF. Nearly all leak.

Newer 11" and 140 had sight glass about 7/8" at front of head stock right hand side under speed plate, fill to horizontal line half way up. Newer M series under the chuck/spindle about 5/8".

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

Neil, just to add insult to injury, I might now decide to machine the full set of Speedy castings I was also given (many thanks to my generous uncle David for both).

[Author]

Posts