Hello everyone,
I know these beasts have been addressed in prior threads, so if I am posting a question that has already been answered, please forgive me. I've got a 16X30 Model B that we picked up from the local General Electric plant here in Ravenna that I've been toying with for the last year. In the process of learning about the ins and outs of this old girl, I'm trying to learn the trade as well. I've got a background in welding and fabricating, but with my interest in the industrial arts I can't let such a broad and interesting field as machining slip by without me diving into it.
But I digress. I'm discovering a few issues with my Model B now that I've taken some trial cuts and I'm playing with it. The clutch is slipping when it's engaged and when it's disengaged, the clutch still drags enough to turn the spindle when there's no load on it. This machine is also the 16 speed model with the high-low range and direct-back gear configuration. When I'm trying to hit the lower RPM's, I don't know if it's because the clutch assembly is slipping but there is a nasty growl/clatter in the bottom end.
The gear head in me says that if things sound like they're going to fly apart, it's best to shut them down before they self destruct. In high range, things seem fine unless I'm running it at 750 RPM's. Due to the clutch slippage, it takes a minute for it to wind up to that RPM, but it will achieve it. I'm just hoping to get some insight into how to adjust the clutch and whether there might be other culprits for the noises at low RPM's. Any field experience the folks here have or owners manuals, etc. would be appreciated. I know they don't make them like this anymore, so I'd like to not grenade it. Thank you all for your help!
I know these beasts have been addressed in prior threads, so if I am posting a question that has already been answered, please forgive me. I've got a 16X30 Model B that we picked up from the local General Electric plant here in Ravenna that I've been toying with for the last year. In the process of learning about the ins and outs of this old girl, I'm trying to learn the trade as well. I've got a background in welding and fabricating, but with my interest in the industrial arts I can't let such a broad and interesting field as machining slip by without me diving into it.
But I digress. I'm discovering a few issues with my Model B now that I've taken some trial cuts and I'm playing with it. The clutch is slipping when it's engaged and when it's disengaged, the clutch still drags enough to turn the spindle when there's no load on it. This machine is also the 16 speed model with the high-low range and direct-back gear configuration. When I'm trying to hit the lower RPM's, I don't know if it's because the clutch assembly is slipping but there is a nasty growl/clatter in the bottom end.
The gear head in me says that if things sound like they're going to fly apart, it's best to shut them down before they self destruct. In high range, things seem fine unless I'm running it at 750 RPM's. Due to the clutch slippage, it takes a minute for it to wind up to that RPM, but it will achieve it. I'm just hoping to get some insight into how to adjust the clutch and whether there might be other culprits for the noises at low RPM's. Any field experience the folks here have or owners manuals, etc. would be appreciated. I know they don't make them like this anymore, so I'd like to not grenade it. Thank you all for your help!