Hi again lads,
The bearings in the spindle head were ropey, so got some standard sealed bearings, that appeared to have the suitable speed and load rating(they do run a bit warm at full revs after a time).
I'm thinking to drill the housing for a level plug, and take out the inner facing seals, then top up with spindle oil (ISO 5), any comments on this idea would be appreciated...
I have not found any reference to the lubrication of the spindle bearings, there was no oil in the housing, and the bearings were not sealed in any way, other than the close fitting spigotted end caps.
I was surprised to find no spacer sleeve on the spindle, the end caps are the only location for the bearings, but there is a fine thread on the spindle to take up any end float, and introduce some preload...
I've already posted the little tool I made to preload the bearings.
At this point I should also point out, that I have absolutely no experience of grinding machines of this type(I've done some crank grinding work(fixed head type), and also had to rework this particular machine(Lempco)).
However onward, I made a 1" diam silver steel straight extension, solely for the purpose of setting the head true in the horizontal, and also to set the turntable incorporating the slide, to 0 and 90 to the spindle.
As earlier stated, I made some headed taper pins, to facilitate things to remain true to each other.
Getting rid of all these big words, should ease my constipation....
So I then thought about painting it all, I ended up getting some light green Coo-Var Hammered paint, a bit cheaper than Hammerite, I didn't seem able to lay my hands on the same light green as original.
Building it all back together, I became unhappy with the non micrometer dialled cross slide, so designed one to incorporate a double angular thrust bearing to hand, the screw plain shank is 1/2" diam through the boss, the D/A bearing bore is 12mm (luvlyjubbly), so I turned down the shaft, but made a thickish washer as an inner thrust/locator for the small step from 1/2" to 12mm, to butt up to the bearing.
Then I made a housing to incorporate all these modifications, this was made from a lump of 75mm diam Cast Iron, from Locate Metals in S***horpe(they're quite good, usual disclaimer).
Following that I made the dial, made up a number stamping guide, I must have made twice as many tools, to make things to make things than the new bits required to complete the job...
I thought about the nut then, all these bits are in very good condition, so I split the nut to just take away any backlash inherent, to justify the solidity of the bearing arrangement.
Not wanting to bollocks up any grinding wheels or indeed the cutters themselves, I made some travel stops, fully adjustable, to the complete travel of the slide.
I was short of a few guide clamp slidey things, so made some of differing lengths, both for the main machine, and the Radius Attachment, I made these from 50mm diam Cast Iron(from the usual suppliers).
A diamond dresser would ultimately be required, so incorporated a Wolf 3/8" UNF 1 carat into a mounting thingy(pictured).
I'm nearly there....
