So, the motor is now connected and the wires tied to the windings – I used some polyimide tape as well as PTFE – and varnish applied. Now I'm waiting for the inverter to arrive from Drives Direct before testing.
I am getting on with the rest of the refurb and, as these things tend to, it is escalating past my initial intentions. Completed an initial degrease and powerwash of the base, chiptray and other disassembled parts today ready for stripping and sanding. I have a couple of questions which I would be grateful for some advice on:
1. How do I remove the vertical leadscrew from the bottom of the knee? It seems to be located in a bushing which is attached to the underside of the slide by three allen head bolts. These are not easily accessible so I am thinking that taking these out is not the correct approach – or is it?
2. The leadscrews and worm gears were all liberally covered in grease. My understanding is that grease should only be used for bearings, and oil used for exposed parts like leadscrews and gears because it doesn't collect swarf like grease. Any opinions as to what to lube with on re-build?
3. The inside of the base was quite rusty and the suds tank full of who knows what. I have cleaned this out and powerwashed it. I could get it sandblasted but this means I would have to take it there and the cost is not trivial. Given that the inside will be hidden away so a perfect finish is not important, I just want to protect the metal so plan to treat it with kuurst, or similar, prime with zinc phosphate and paint on top with Stationary Engine Parts enamel. Does this seem a sound plan or is there a disaster lurking in it somewhere?
4. The outside surfaces I plan to strip with a polystrip disc on an angle grinder before priming and painting. I haven't done something like this before so hoping that it is a sensible approach . . .
Thanks
Hywel