I have an old Becker-Brainard milling machine, similar to the #7 in the 1888 cataluge from shopswarf, but the spindle if worn pretty well, about ~0.007 at the big end, and asymetricly as well.
I was considering building the surface up back to the original size and then up 0.010" or so, and boring the straight bronze bearings while seated in their housing in the casting.
Does using a hard-surfacing rod (arc welding) or wire (mig or tig) seem like a horrible idea, and would totally stress the original spindle? I'm assuming it's a crucible steel given the age of the machine.
I have a friend with a bunch of hard-surfaceing rods he doesnt want, so those should not bee too expensive to obtain. To true up the surface of the spindle grinding seems like an optimal option for this.
thanks,
Steve
I was considering building the surface up back to the original size and then up 0.010" or so, and boring the straight bronze bearings while seated in their housing in the casting.
Does using a hard-surfacing rod (arc welding) or wire (mig or tig) seem like a horrible idea, and would totally stress the original spindle? I'm assuming it's a crucible steel given the age of the machine.
I have a friend with a bunch of hard-surfaceing rods he doesnt want, so those should not bee too expensive to obtain. To true up the surface of the spindle grinding seems like an optimal option for this.
thanks,
Steve