Whats this?

[Tim Russell 1Participant @timrussell1]

Hi Guys, Whats this, is there a manual/handbook. How to adjust headstock bearings? Yes, I have the end cover.

Thanks in advance.

[Tim Russell 1Participant @timrussell1]

Old Colchester

[Tim Russell 1Participant @timrussell1]

Sorry guys, I've had a dig around on the lathes uk site and it seems to look like a 50's master. I paid 250 for it as it was tidy so I still need a manual/handbook for settings, adjustments etc.

Thanks again.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Hi, Tim , welcome to the forum.

Regarding the headstock bearings, assuming they are adjustable plain type, there are a couple of clues. There are rings at the front and rear of the spindle which are supposed to be adjusted with a peg or C spanner. They have the usual marks of a hammer and drift. If you take the cover off the headstock, hopefully you will see two more of these rings either side of the casting. The ring behind the chuck may be a little larger diameter than its counterpart immediately to its left. If it is, then by slackening off the larger one and tightening the smaller one, the bearing is moved slightly to the left, and becomes tighter. The left hand spindle bearing is adjusted in a similar manner, by slackening the larger ring and tightening the smaller. Assuming that there is play in the spindle, it would be advisable to only adjust one end at a time. Plenty of oil is needed for the bearings, and you can probably feel them tightening up. not too tight though and the only way to be sure they are not too tight is to run the lathe and monitor the temperature of the headstock in the area of the bearings. Just warm after 15 minutes is what you are aiming for. There look like the remains of the headstock oilers on the top cover, which will have to be sorted out.

An early Colchester owner may reply to your question, hopefully.

Edited By old mart on 13/08/2019 20:39:49

Edited By old mart on 13/08/2019 20:41:53

[Tim Russell 1Participant @timrussell1]

Hi Guys, Thanks for the help, I've received a data pack from Tony G and all is revealed.

I thought it must be ring adjustment for the headstock just hadn't realised the other was inside.

The front cover says "Lift to oil". What and how much?

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Its not much good asking me about oiling a lathe. I lubricate the Smart & Brown at the Helicopter Museum with cheap semi synthetic motor oil, and the purists would wail and tear out their hair to hear that. It gets plenty, and the 70 year old headstock bearings are perfect and there is only 0.0005" wear on the spindle.

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