I recently bought a nice looking 13 and have used it a couple of times. Tonight I decided to check the bearing clearance. The large bearing was about right but the rear had over .002 per the book procedure. As I disassembled it, I was surprised that the bearing cap bolts were no more than finger tight. When I took the cap off, there was a collection of hand cut brass shims along with some small pieces of other shim stock thrown in. So I took the large bearing cap off and found the same thing. Not good. If the small bearing cap is tightened, the spindle gets very tight. The spindle bearing surface looks Ok from what I can see. It is not an old lathe, about 1984 I think, the rest of it appears to be in good condition.
What do I do now? Cut myself some more homemade shims? Buy new replacement shims? Sell it on Ebay? Go to sleep and forget the whole thing?
Can one just order up new bearing shells and start again? According to my old parts book these came as a set with expanders, wicks, and shims. Can this be done by the reasonably talented amateur, or are specialized honing and fitting skill required? How thick is the shim stack normally? The collection of scraps in mine is around .009 each side on the small bearing.
I don't mind spending the money for new bearing shells if that is the way to go (and they are available).
Any help from the experts woudl be appreciated!
What do I do now? Cut myself some more homemade shims? Buy new replacement shims? Sell it on Ebay? Go to sleep and forget the whole thing?
Can one just order up new bearing shells and start again? According to my old parts book these came as a set with expanders, wicks, and shims. Can this be done by the reasonably talented amateur, or are specialized honing and fitting skill required? How thick is the shim stack normally? The collection of scraps in mine is around .009 each side on the small bearing.
I don't mind spending the money for new bearing shells if that is the way to go (and they are available).
Any help from the experts woudl be appreciated!