+1 on using ATF for the table ways. I still use Vactra for the vertical column ways.
One thing I did was modify the table ball oiler and converted the table to receive
oil from the rear from 1/8" nylon tubing. I extended an 1/8" drill bit using a 3/8"
piece of rod for the shank. I soft soldered the drill bit into the extension.
This 3/8 rod fits in a pilot hole in the table. Remove the big ball oiler adapter
elbow thingy and it is in there. Drill the 1/8" hole until it breaks out the rear
of the table. Tap for 10-32 and I used a 90* banjo fitting I got from McMaster
or Clippard has them. For a pump I used a medium side Goldenrod oil can.
I used a (some 64th size) freeze plug to replace the ball oiler adapter in front.
There are little mesh filter screens in the ways of the carriage. Mine were
plugged with crud and a few were gone missing. I made new ones out of some
fine mesh I had from a gas tank filter screen. I formed the ends in a small tube
mandrel and I used soft solder to form the rim flange where the filter screens
sit in the holes in the ways.
The cover for the column has bulkhead fitting that is fed with a separate oil
can. The oil drips on the bevel gears and there is channels that feed the drips
to the vertical ways.
I hear ya about the motor. It is a 56 frame, be it with those holes. I kinda
like the hose clamp idea. I like rewinding it even better. I took my motor
apart for cleaning and such. I pulled out a surprising amount of felt for the
bushings. I washed the felt, refolded it just such that it needed to be, and
put it all back together. The end play is set with a butterfly clip under the
rear GE cap cover. It does need some end play. I think I had .010" and it ran
hot. I think I run .020 end play now. Which really does not matter since it is
belt drive. (mine is anyway). I added what seemed like a few ounces of 20wt
oil to the felt when I got it together again. Make sure the tube for the front
bushing is there. My flip cap was missing so I use a vinyl hose cap to seal it.
Because I had them, I converted the V-belt to tooth timing belt. The pulleys
slow the wheel to 3000 rpm, so the motor pulley is just a bit smaller.
I use a VFD to run my grinder. Funny, there is a little droning vibration right
at 60 HZ. I run the motor at 63 Hz and it is smooth as glass. VFD is nice to
tune the hardness of the wheel. Faster, the wheel acts harder. Slower and
the wheel acts softer, and the abrasive breaks away more readily.
I ordered new neoprene rubber bellows from McMaster. They fit great, all I did
was shorten the cuffs a little bit. I think they were white rubber with a glued
seam. Not sure the size. It could use a new table feed gear. I read somewhere
here that is available from Mcmaster as well. Any one with a number, please
post it here.
--Doozer
