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Colchester Triumph 2000 - Apron Leaking Oil

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Twizseven:
I have just become owner of a Colchester Triumph 2000 lathe. The oil level in the apron was low so topped it up to the correct level. After 2 days it was down to a low level. There should be a gasket between the apron and the bottom plate. At first glance I cannot see one, only possible remnants of what was possibly a silicon gasket. I have managed to take a photo and from the look of it it does not have the original apron base. There is a perimeter of bolts and then two odd pairs of bolts/screws. From what I can see of the drawings in the manual there is not as far as I can ascertain anything to be fixed to the bottom plate. Has any one got the same model of lathe and can take a look at the apron base and see if these extra screws are present. I am wondering if that was a piece of plate that had a couple of unwanted holes and the screws were used to seal them up.

It might be worth making a new plate from 3/16" or 1/4" aluminium plate and make a proper gasket.

It would be nice to know if these extra holes perform a function prior to removing the base plate.

See picture below:

Many Thanks,
Colin

samc88:
I can have a look at the lathe in work on Tuesday for you, I think thats the same model of colchester

d.williams:
I have the same lathe and mine is also losing oil from the apron. I removed the bottom cover, cleaned the surfaces, installed a new gasket with sealant and it continues to leak. I believe that the leak probably originates from a shaft protruding through the backside of the apron with possibly a defective seal. Sure are a nice lathe, however.

Don Williams

Jo:
By looks of those four screws someone has tried mounting a scale under the Apron. Four matching Allen screws would make things prettier.

Silicon Gasket goo is not standard for a lathe, it should have a paper gasket. If the oil is settling just under the height of a shaft then that is a good indication that shaft is where the leak is coming from - not a quick job. I'd put a bit in when ever I was going to use the lathe in anger but for the odd quick cut assume there was sufficient oil on the surfaces. Topping it fully up just give it more to leak out. The other option might be thicker oil to slow it down a bit but not sure on the clutch design on that one. 

Nice Lathe. Hope to see more of it  8)

Jo

Twizseven:
I have the plate off now.  They definitely do nothing now.  They are just in the tapped holes with no sealant or anything.  There is a very thin paper gasket but this had been put back on and then coated in silicon goo.

I was going to use some 1/16" rubber EPDM sheet as used for flat roof's to make new gasket, but having just done quick bit of research it is not compatible with oil.  I might try to find some thin cork gasket and also ensure that the 4 extra holes have sealing washers (and matching allen capheads) and a bit of silicon to seal them completely.

As far as can tell (via feel and a camera) there are no shafts/bearings lower than the oil viewing window, so as certain as can be the oil is leaking from the gasket.  The drain plug was not over tight and its sealing washer was not pretty.

Colin

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