Marlow 3A Mill

[David Hill 5Participant @davidhill5]

Hi, not a raw beginner but still very much a beginner with a newly acquired Marlow Mill. The machine was a bargain and works fine except for the back gear. My question is, how does one release the pulley drive from the quill so that you can swivel in the back gear? There is what appears to be a knurled lifting peg on top of the pulley but it is extremely stiff and will only lift a few mm. It does look like it has received a sideways knock and maybe is jambed? Can anyone give me any advice?

Thanks in anticipation..

David

[David Hill 5Participant @davidhill5]

[RobboParticipant @robbo]

David,

Below is a quick pic of one I have in pieces at present. If yours is like this then this is how it works. It is not sophisticated.

In the centre of the alloy pulley there is a steel boss with central collar and keyed onto the spindle. There is a tiny grubscrew in the collar which holds the key firmly in place on the spindle.

In the steel boss there are 2 socket cap screws and 2 threaded holes. Down these holes lurk 2 grubscrews which are used to keep a working clearance between the pully and the boss. Behind the pulley is the backgear spindle, with knurled top and with a hex nut on top to lock it. It is eccentric which may be why it looks out of line.

To use backgear, the 2 socket caps are removed, the grubscrews slacked off just a little bit, the hex nut on the knurled spindle loosened and the knurled spindle turned clockwise to engage the backgear. Hex nut tightened. backgear is thus engaged, pulley free to revolve on its spindle, and ready to go.

To return to normal, slacken hex nut, turn knurled spindle back anti-clockwise and tighten hex nut. Replace the 2 socket caps in their places (turn the pulley to find the holes of course)  BUT DON'T TIGHTEN THEM YET. First tighten the 2 grubscrews so they are just firm, then tighten the socket caps. The grubscrews maintain the running clearance.

Should the running clearance be lost, then the pulley will have to be pulled up the spindle to restore it. this is where knowing about the tiny grubscrew by the key in the collar comes in, as it must be slackened first.

This is a lot easier to do or say than to write!! Obviously, there may be differences in the type of screws/bolts used.

 

Edited By Robbo on 20/11/2014 19:41:47

Edited By Robbo on 20/11/2014 19:44:11

[David Hill 5Participant @davidhill5]

Thanks Robbo, but unfortunately my steel boss has only two holes, one threaded and one with the knurled peg (not a socket screw).

Sorry, tried to post a photo but wouldn't work. I'll have to read up on how to do it!

Do you have any further ideas?

Thanks,

David

[David Hill 5Participant @davidhill5]

Here is a photo of the steel boss with just the one threaded hole and the knurled peg.

Thanks,

David

[RobboParticipant @robbo]

It probably works on the same principle, so would concentrate on the knurled peg, eg by turning and lifting. It may have a "catch" which will disengage when turned, pushed, whatever, you know the sort of thing, like a rod with a cross pin thrugh it. Possibly a spring in there somewhere.

One of the problems with these is that there is no operating manual as far as I can find, and the spec. varies, plus the usual after sale mods which have been carried out.

Basically there were 2 types of head, the 6-speed (3-speed plus backgear) and the 5-speed with belt change for all 5. These seem to be more common in the home workshop.

As the originals were mostly 3-phase, then the simple expedient of adding an Inverter does away with the need for either!

Threads quickly disappear down the list here, so if you can keep it near the top then someone who can help may see it. (just post anything as a new posting on the thread)

The last thread on a Marlow concerned a 5-speed model, so no help there..

[WALLACEParticipant @wallace]

The knurled peg definitely engages the back gear. It pulls up to disengage the bottom cog from the drive pulleys.

I have a funny idea the other hole lines up with a lubrication grove between the back gear and the top pulley….however – as usual – I’m nowhere near the mill at the moment so can’t confirm the later !

W.

[WALLACEParticipant @wallace]

The knurled peg definitely engages the back gear. It pulls up to disengage the bottom cog from the drive pulleys.

I have a funny idea the other hole lines up with a lubrication grove between the back gear and the top pulley….however – as usual – I’m nowhere near the mill at the moment so can’t confirm the later !

W.

[David Hill 5Participant @davidhill5]

Thanks Guys, really appreciate your help.

David

[David Hill 5Participant @davidhill5]

Just to say that with a great deal of hefty upward pull and lots of releasing oil, the knurled peg finally moved and released the pulley from the boss. The back gear now works perfectly. So many thanks to Robbo and Wallace.

Cheers,

David

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