Minor problem - small Asian lathe.

[Gas_mantle]

Hi all,

I noticed this morning that my small bench lathe had developed a small irritating 'ticking' sound when the lead screw is engaged, on taking the gear cover off I found this part at the bottom but can't see any obvious part that it has fallen from.



Can anyone suggest what it might be or where it goes etc ?

The ticking sound is slow but regular and corresponds to the spindle speed but disappears if I disengage the lead screw gearing. It is difficult to photograph but I notice the rocker arm lever will go full travel beyond it's normal operating arc ? (see pic 3) Is this normal ? I normally have the cover on which would prevent this so I'm not sure if it always swung this low without the cover.





Thanks 

[Gas_mantle]

I've now sorted the issue -)

If a moderator wants to delete the thread I'm happy with that.

[10KPete]

Well, don't leave us hanging.... where did it go?????

Pete

[gerritv]

It is a retainer for one of the gears.

[Gas_mantle]

It went behind the square nut on the second set of gears up from the bottom, not every set has one so it wasn't immeadiately obvious (well that's my excuse anyway)

The problem now is I removed the change wheels to give everything a good clean and check the fit etc but putting it back together is a bit of guesswork figuring out where the washers and spacers go to allow for smooth even running.

I'll figure it out shortly by trial and error 

[gerritv]

The parts diagram is a good resource.

[Gas_mantle]

Thanks Gerritv, I dug out the parts diagram and I'm satisfied that I have it assembled right but it still doesn't feel right.

I'll have another go at it later 

[Florian Eberhard]

Withoug knowing how those parts look like - but probably you need to flip some wheels / washers and its going to work..?

[Gas_mantle]

Hi Florian, some of the wheels have a very small raised boss on one side so as you say they need installing the right way round and I'm happy I've done that (although I've tried other configurations) but the 2 large gears at the bottom are rubbing against each other.

It looks as though there is another very small spacer needed although I'm sure I have all the parts so clearly I've overlooked something.

I'd expect the numbers on the change wheels to face out but realise that might not be the case.

[Jasonb]

Look carefully at the washers that go between the banjo and the gear, they do vary in thickness slightly so you should be able to juggle them to move the rubbing gears apart.

Also when you reset the mesh of the gears cut a strip of photo copy paper and bed it between the gears, this will set the backlash, it will come out like an oily consertina.

[Gas_mantle]

Thanks Jason, I've now got it back together and it's fine - I think as you say 1 washer was slightly thicker so after a bit of trial and error its ok.

At the moment I've just been giving the gear train a regular squirt of general lubricating oil but I'm wondering if Lithium grease may be a better idea.

[Jasonb]

That's what I use on mine, the one in the blue tub from ARC.

[Jo]

Car factor shops will supply it at half the price that ARC charges  .

Jo

[Jasonb]

Must let us know the motor factors you use, even e-bay is only £1.00 to £1.50 cheaper inc postage?

And if Peter had put it on the order he placed the other day with the cutter I pointed him towards which was half the price of others then the postage split between the two would have been negligable.

[Bluechip]

ebay can be a lot dearer than other sources.

I think they factor in P&P on every item, so if you order several from one vendor you are well stuffed .. 

CPC is free shipping over a tenner, easily achieved ... Well it is with me. Always got some little morsel I find desirable 

http://cpc.farnell.com/carlube/xge500/grease-lithium-500g/dp/SA02674

In  any case you are likely to go near a motor factor so P&P doesn't figure.

All misty and damp here   .... a deep gloom prevails ....

Dave

[Jo]

Fleabay £5.09 inc postage: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Multi-Purpose-EP2-Lithium-Grease-500g-Lubricant-High-Melting-Point-Triple-QX-/302193224689?hash=item465c1eabf1:g:OL4AAOSwJhdZhM7P

ARC £11.23 +  £2.35 P&P:   http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Protection-Grease-Adhesives/Lubrication-and-Cutting-Aids/Molyslip-MLG-Multi-Purpose-EP-Moly-Lithium-Grease-450g-Tin-170-100-10300 

Jo

[Jasonb]

I thought you were comparing like for like costs eg both the Molyslip rather than a cheapie with a quality one.

I was just suggesting one I have actually used rather than looking for the cheapest on the net and posting a link, I prefer to give suggestions based on actual first hand usage

[Jo]

Moly is different from standard Lithium grease in as far as it includes Molybdenum Disulphide as an additive which makes it suitable for extreme pressure applications (i.e. high load bearing).

Do you really believe that lubricating between gears on a lathe really counts as an extreme pressure application?

Jo

Edit: Standard LM grease comes off your hands much easier than the stuff with Molybdenum Disulphide in it 

[Jasonb]

Just saves buying a whole load of other greases, Think I bought that one when I changed the Warco head bearings and have used it for most thing since.

It does say it is suitable for "agricultural machinery" so I would think that suits our far eastern machines down to the ground

[Jo]

Just saves buying a whole load of other greases

Most people already have an old pot of standard LM grease in the shed 

Jo

[Alyn Foundry]

Hi.

I was sold on Molybdenum Disulphide nigh on 30 years ago. Working for what was then a publicly owned electricity supply and distribution system.

The CEGB ( Central Electricity Generation Board ) were decommissioning many of the smaller lower efficiency power stations, as a consequence they chose a turbine and alternator to destruction test lubricants. Raw MS was administered to the main bearings and then run, under load, without the usual flow of oil through the bearing boxes. Believe it or not the set lasted 8 hours before the Bronzes picked up and total destruction followed.

A single application had coated the surfaces sufficiently to make a long lived near frictionless environment.

I've been using MS 3 grease for just about everything since.

Cheers Graham.

[Jo]

I have some Rocol (very high Molybdenum Disulphide grease) it is amazing what it does: good up to 450 degrees and 100,000 Bar  . I normally use it to lubricate the tailstock fixed centre when turning between centres 

Graphite grease has its uses as well 

Jo

[Stuart]

I must be the odd one out for open gears on the myford I use motor cycle chain lube not the wax WD do a good one it sprays on the goes gloopy and sticky so it stops put

One spray lasts ( not the can ) lasts about a month and quitenens things down no end

Stuart

[Gas_mantle]

Thanks guys and gals,

I have to go into town tomorrow so I'll see what there is over the counter first then buy online if I cant get anything I want.

I did notice this stuff and wondered about its effectiveness it seems cheap enough and convenient to use :-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Performance-White-Lithium-Grease-250ml/dp/B00KPUBO0U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508082122&sr=8-2&keywords=lithium+grease

[Jo]

That will work  a spray is a much better way of doing things as it saves getting your hands dirty 

Stuart's chain lube is good ... lubricating the gears on your lathe is not in any way going to challenge any lubricant, oil would do but it drips off and makes a mess

Jo