Refurbishing an Emco Maximat V10P

[cozandfx]

I've recently acquired an Emco Maximat V10P lathe/mill/drill unit. From all accounts, this is a pretty good all purpose machine. This unit, however, has been in cold storage for 20 years and has extensive surface rust. It also may need parts. I'm seeking advice on refurbishing this unit, including possible part sources (I know about Blue Ridge) and cleaning techniques.

[SGW]

The best way to remove surface rust I know of is a ScotchBrite scouring pad and kerosene or a penetrating oil. Get the real ScotchBrite pads -- the supermarket generic look-alikes are nowhere near as good.

You can also soak rusty parts in a vinegar/salt mixture (after degreasing them). If you do that though, be SURE to rinse really well in hot water, dry thoroughly, and apply some kind of rust-preventing oil immediately, or the part will rust again...immediately. I'd try the kerosene+pad routine first.

[Thrud]

I have a Maximat 7 and had problems with parts as well. I ended up getting a local machine shop to fix my leadscrew and one gearcluster in the milling head (4 speed).

If you need half nuts expect to shell out big bucks or be prepared to make your own. They wanted nearly $500(Canadian) for the half nuts on my Maximat 7. They are Diecast Zinc as are the backlash nuts on the cross feed and compound. I made my own from bronze bearing material and stainless steel after taking the apron apart and measuring the nuts for fabrication

If you have a Schnaublin collet chuck for the mill, a cheap source of collets is readily available. I found the collet angle to be identicle to ER25 collets, but the Schnaublin collet nut will not work. Instead I tried a Narex ER25 BB nut and it worked perfectly - until the setscrew holding the loose balls in the nut flew out during use! I could not find the balls or get replacements. I next tried a Lyndex BB ER25 nut - Joy! The balls in this nut are retained with a injected plastic plug. As the nut retains the collet by the groove, it also extracts the collet when loosened from the chuck. Once you have an ER25 Nut, you can use the ER25 Collets sold by every tool supplier in the country. I got an entire 3-16MM (1/16"-5/8") Precision Grade Lyndex set, storage tray, and ER25 BB nut for what 4 Schnaublin Collets cost.

As for the rust, I would get the Non-Abrasive 3M scotchbrite pads and a metal polish (I use Amsoil's metal polish - works better than Brasso I think). If the rust is heavy you may have to do some heavy restoration work. I would order the "Machine Tool Reconditioning" book available in the back pages of HSM & MW before you start anything. If you do not have them, a parts book and owners manual should be begged, borrowed, or - God forbid - even purchased as it will help when you tear it apart.

Good Luck
Dave Smith