SB-9 Lubrication

[Paul Alciatore]

I know there has been much discussion about the spindle lubrication for these lathes but very little has been said about lubricating the counter-shaft. I am in the final stages (I hope) of setting this machine up and have noticed that the bearing between the two pulleys using a lot of oil and heating up when I run her for five or ten minutes. The oil seems to go straight through and gets sprayed on the wall and everything else, including your's truely.

I know I need to disassemble and inspect this shaft and bushing but I am wondering if oil lubrication is the best method for the countershaft bearings. Would I be better off putting grease fittings on and using some kind of grease here?

I assume I will have to do some kind of repair to the bearing. Drill/ream it out and add a bronze bushing I guess? Any words of wisdom here? Suggestions on how to do it? I have a mill-drill to work with.

[Herb W]

Edited - Thanks for the heads up, SGW (see below)... quite right, I was thinking of the back gear shaft.

I've been using non detergent 30 motor oil for mine (countershaft)- no problems so far though it does slowly leak out.



[This message has been edited by Herb W (edited 10-02-2003).]

[Evan]

Paul,

I suspect you must have some damage in the bearing. For that bearing I use Three-in-One heavy electrical motor bushing oil for motors over 1/2 hp. Never does it overheat or sling oil.

I'm not keen on teflon filled oils or greases. I used them for years in heavy business equipment with lots of gears, chains and belts and found it to gum up pretty badly with time. BTW, when I say heavy I do mean heavy, up to 2000 lbs running on 3ph 50 amp.

[This message has been edited by Evan (edited 10-02-2003).]

[SGW]

If I'm understanding you correctly, I think that bearing ought to take "medium weight machine oil." (Herb, I think you're thinking of the lubrication for the back gear shaft.)

That bearing on my countershaft it getting pretty worn too; it takes quite a load from both the motor belt and the lathe drive belt. I got some new bronze bushings for it a while ago, haven't put them in. You ought to be able to press out the old bushings and press in new ones, no need to drill. Assuming, of course, your countershaft has bushings the way mine does....



[This message has been edited by SGW (edited 10-02-2003).]

[Oso]

I have an S-B countershaft assy on my Logan.

Mine has the bearing as simply the hardened shaft in the cast iron. S-B liked to do that.

There is a groove like a keyway in the top of the bearing under the oiler.
It is supposed to have a strip of felt in it to hold and distribute oil.

Yours may be too far gone to re-use as-is, but it isn't hard to loosen setscrews and pull out the shaft to see. If it isn't galled beyond use you should put in the felt when you re-assemble.

[Paul Alciatore]

Thanks guys. As I said, I definitely plan to disassemble and inspect. I didn't know that bearing had felt like the spindle. thanks for the info. I guess I need to look at the parts drawings again. Sounds like a weekend project - right after I fix the shower.

Thanks again.

[chip's]

I use teflon grease on the back gear shaft. It is a lot less messy. There is an article in HSM about fitting a grease zerk to the shaft. It really does work nice!

[DR]

Paul,

FWIW, I took a course in lubrication theory. The one main point I came away with is that you should use the lightest oil that the assembly will contain (not leak).

In your case it seems your bearing is worn beyond the point of containing oil.

[Oso]

Heck....

Can you shake the shaft in the bearing? (without the belts tight).

If so, probably too loose to use long.

if not, put in the felt.

I cheated....I didn't want to take it apart, so I use way oil, on the theory that it has some EP properties. It stays in place, it doesn't sling, and it has been working quite nicely.

One day I will put the felt in that one also. The right hand end has felt now.

[Paul Alciatore]

I have already been trying way oil. It does seem to stay put better and I need to run it for a while to see if it gets hot. I also need to get some time to slacken the belts, check for any looseness, perhaps disassemble and inspect the shaft and bearing.

Paul A.