Twin Engineering’s heavy mill/drill quill removal

[Martin of WickParticipant @martinofwick]

Is there anyone on the forum with lived experience of Twin Engineering’s Twin Mill (mill/drill) ‘heavy’?

Having just acquired one, running the spindle  for more than a few minutes at 1000 rpm causes the spindle nose and bottom of the quill to overheat significantly within 4 to 5 minute (as in ‘Ow xxxx that’s xxxxxxx hot!’).

I was wondering if anyone with that type mill could advise whether it is possible to detach the quick action drill assembly and drop the quill/spindle assembly out from the head, or is it likely to need the complete head removed?

I’m hoping the bearings just need the old grease removing, cleaning and re-lubricating. Replacement only if evident signs of wear. Either way, the only way to get to the bearings for inspection is by taking the quill out somehow.

ps. lathes.co does not have much useful info on this mill.

[Peter Cook 6Participant @petercook6]

No experience but there are a series of You Tube video’s by someone called Guernsey Submarine which purport to show head removal and bearing change on one.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Having had a look at what there is in lathes UK, I would raise the quill to max height and look to see if there is anything like a nut or circlip at the top of the spindle. If there is nothing to stop the spindle passing through the pulley set, then things should be simple. Take out the drawbar.

Remove the rear quill locking bolt both sides first and then unscrew the hex bolt/bearing from the lever which moves the quill. Have a block of wood ready under the end of the spindle to stop it dropping onto the bed. All that should be holding the quill should be the depth stop adjusters which need to be unscrewed upwards bit by bit until they are removed.

Hopefully the quill should come out. You might have to drop the knee for enough clearance. Also, you might have to tilt the whole head if the quill proves too long to remove vertically.

Keep us informed of your progress and see if others agree with my proceedure. Good luck.

 

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

I would generally suspect that hot means tight

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