Yesterday I finally got around to draining the headstock on my Lux-Matter 16 x 60 lathe.
The gear selectors were very sluggish, especially the "High-Low" range lever. One time last winter I actually had to take the headstock cover off and pry the shifting gear in order to change to Low.
The problem was definitely worsened by lower temperature.
I started cleaning the channel that goes around the front (chuck) end of the headstock. There was a hole just over the front spindle bearing and I figured that must be how the bearing is oiled, by channeling the splash oil around the channel to the bearing so I plugged it and started using various solvents.
Paint thinner didn't seem to work very well so I cried some carb cleaner in a spray can, it worked a little better.
I managed to get the front half cleaned which exposed some other "dimples" in the channel. I was worried that they too might be drillings to send splash oil to other points needing lube but once cleaned they were found to be very shallow holes with a drill point shape end.
Once the headstock was drained of it's "oil" (I use the term loosely)
I looked at the bottom and saw what looked like some settling of sludge on the bottom.
I was able to reach past stuff to get my fingers into it.
This is going to prove difficult to remove. I plan to scrap out as much as I can manually and then do a flush.
I've heard that automatic transmission fluid is an excellent cleaner as well as lubricant, what do you folks think of filling the headstock and running it for a few days (or weeks) then draining it.
And, once done, if effective, I thought of refilling with fresh ATF and then setting up a schedule for changes.
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
The gear selectors were very sluggish, especially the "High-Low" range lever. One time last winter I actually had to take the headstock cover off and pry the shifting gear in order to change to Low.
The problem was definitely worsened by lower temperature.
I started cleaning the channel that goes around the front (chuck) end of the headstock. There was a hole just over the front spindle bearing and I figured that must be how the bearing is oiled, by channeling the splash oil around the channel to the bearing so I plugged it and started using various solvents.
Paint thinner didn't seem to work very well so I cried some carb cleaner in a spray can, it worked a little better.
I managed to get the front half cleaned which exposed some other "dimples" in the channel. I was worried that they too might be drillings to send splash oil to other points needing lube but once cleaned they were found to be very shallow holes with a drill point shape end.
Once the headstock was drained of it's "oil" (I use the term loosely)
I looked at the bottom and saw what looked like some settling of sludge on the bottom.
I was able to reach past stuff to get my fingers into it.
This is going to prove difficult to remove. I plan to scrap out as much as I can manually and then do a flush.
I've heard that automatic transmission fluid is an excellent cleaner as well as lubricant, what do you folks think of filling the headstock and running it for a few days (or weeks) then draining it.
And, once done, if effective, I thought of refilling with fresh ATF and then setting up a schedule for changes.
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
Busy Bee 12-36 lathe, Busy Bee Mill drill, Busy Bee 4x6 bandsaw, Homemade 9x17 bandsaw, Ad infinitum.