RF45 X-axis powerfeed noise

[KiloBravo]

Hi,

I just installed a power feed on the x-axis of my RF45 clone.

http://www.lathemaster.com/POWERFEED...INGMACHINE.htm

How loud are these things supposed to be. I followed the directions and
it works fine, I just want to verify that the two gears are meshing properly.
I can still manually turn the other x-axis handle. Obviously, it requires more effort now that the power feed is on the other end, but how much effort should it require ? Anybody out there with one got any tips ?

Thanks,
Kevin

[PHiers]

Kevin I have the same power feed on my RF 45 clone. It does make some noise but does not sound like grinding ball bearing or anything. I do grease the gears on a fairly regular basis that seems to help. Using the manual table feed does take a little more effort but not really much. These power feeds seem to have a certain speed that is much noisier than other speeds, either higher or lower, at least mine does. I have had mine for 4 years now without any real problems.

[KiloBravo]

Hey Paul,

I followed this so I guess it's OK.

http://www.industrialhobbies.com/how...wer_feed_1.htm

Does your gear in the back under the square black plastic cap wobble when it is engaged ? I guess it is a pinion gear and that's OK ?

Thanks,
Kevin

[Allan Waterfall]

I put a strip of paper between my gears to get a decent mesh,then tightened the bolts and rotated the gear until the paper fell out.

Allan

[PHiers]

Hey Paul,

I followed this so I guess it's OK.

http://www.industrialhobbies.com/how...wer_feed_1.htm

Does your gear in the back under the square black plastic cap wobble when it is engaged ? I guess it is a pinion gear and that's OK ?

Thanks,
Kevin

I never noticed any wobble in mine. I will check it closer this weekend but it doesn't seem like it should wobble to me.

[nheng]

I have the Bestline version of this feed (AL99SP), bought from Cando machine http://www.candomachinery.com/

http://www.bestlinepro.com/prod01.htm

The large plastic gear should not wobble. It must mate properly with the steel worm that drives it. Mine makes a bit of a grunt once per revolution. Some extra grease and use have made it a little quieter.

If it's noisey, you may want to get rid of it while you can (if you can). The plastic gear is around $40 so no sense in having to replace it yourself.

Den

[KiloBravo]

Do you guys use graphite based grease on yours ? Mine says not to use silicone based. Any grease brands better than others ? Will the local hardware have
this graphite based stuff ?

I'll check with Bob at LatheMaster about the wobble.

Thanks,
Kevin

[KiloBravo]

Bob, from LatheMaster indicated the wobble is not normal. He is sending me a new unit.

Thanks Guys !

[KiloBravo]

Just as an FYI, I got the new unit from Bob at Lathemaster and it runs great.
It looks like the shaft on the old unit was bent. The new unit runs true, and has plenty of torque.

[PHiers]

Just as an FYI, I got the new unit from Bob at Lathemaster and it runs great.
It looks like the shaft on the old unit was bent. The new unit runs true, and has plenty of torque.

Thanks for heads up KBEN, nice to know that lathemaster stands behind their products. The only thing I every bought from them was some square 5-C collets and they were fine so I never had reason to find out about how they stood behind their products.