silk purse from a sow's ear?

The Craftmans Shop > New from Old

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jcs0001:
I put the machine back on it's base after cleaning it up a bit. I also replaced the machine pulley with a slightly bigger one as the calculated rpm's of the cutter head were a bit high (in the area of 5200 rpm when it should be more like 4500 rpm).

Got the belt installed and fired it up for a few short periods. There seemed to be a lot of noise and rather than leave the bearings for later (on the cutter head) I pulled them. I should say I started to pull them and then realized that I couldn't get in under the bearings with the two pullers I have. So off to the local Princess Auto and the best part of $40 for a clamshell device to get in under the bearings. Fortunately it mated well with one of my puller sets and it was a matter of less than 5 min. to pull both bearings. One was good but the other was very gritty. I've called a local shop and can replace both for around $30 plus tax.

While it was apart I figured I'd give the head an electrolytic bath. Photo shows the head before the bath and the puller I invested in today:

I did get the blades back from the sharpening shop today but now need to get the bearings so it will be another couple of days before I can fire it up.

John.

Will_D:

--- Quote from: Eugene on August 17, 2015, 04:43:33 AM ---As a by the by, where did you source the locking castors? I could use some of those on a current project.

--- End quote ---

Screwfix in the UK and Ireland has a good selection!

jcs0001:
It's now in working order. I picked up bearings this morning and it was a matter of a few minutes to install them. The head was a bit high on the non pulley side so I shimmed the bearing block on the pulley side slightly and that cured it. This machine has neither jack screws or springs to help adjust the knives however it wasn't onerous to install them and get them adjusted nicely.

I took a few cuts on a short piece of pine and it gave very nice straight smooth results. There are a few things I can do later if I wish - strip and paint it and add a bit of sheet metal to prevent shavings from getting out at the sides just under the cutter however it's working now and that's all I need.

In it's final state - note the plastic cutter guard - it's functional but not pretty:

The adjustment for the fence is quite simple and elegant. Both ends of the cylinder with the handle attached form a socket. Moved towards the machine it mates with the nut that allows one to adjust the fence angle, pulled away from the machine it allows one to loosen the nut that permits the fence to move across the table. It's likely that Delta or some other old machine tool manufacturer came up with this idea:

Thanks for looking,

John.

Eugene:
John, well done, grand job.

Will, thanks I'll have butchers.

Eug

vtsteam:
Sorry I missed this thread. Great job on the joiner! I'm envious. :thumbup: :clap: :beer:

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