anyone know what spindle bearing numbers are in a Nardini 1440E Mascote?

[metalmagpie]

I'm experiencing taper in my turning on the order of 5 thou per 5 inches. Really bad. I leveled my lathe carefully and used a precision ground test bar to verify that the spindle axis is parallel to the ways. While the test bar was in the spindle with a DTI on it, I pushed and pulled on the test bar and saw fifteen or twenty thou variance in the needle.

Next step is to check the bearing preload and see if tightening up the magic nut helps with the taper. If not, the only other thing I know that could cause a taper like that is needing spindle bearings. The manual does not call out Timken numbers. Just Nardini part numbers for Timken cones and cups.

 

[metalmagpie]

I tried tightening the preload nut and I couldn't get it to move. I reexamined everything. I put the DTI right at the spindle nose and then pulled and pushed on the test bar. Maybe half a thou movement. Same axially.

I'm no longer buying that this lathe has a preload problem. So - my presenting problem is a taper when turning. The lathe is now freshly leveled and I was surprised at how level I could get it. Might not stay that way long, but for now the ways are level. Testing, the spindle is parallel to the ways (and no wear was visible from the DTI readings, moving the carriage near the spindle). The spindle has near-zero runout and a test bar shows near-zero droop.

All that is the way you'd want it. Yet I'm getting this taper. What else could be responsible? The tailstock end of a workpiece comes out bigger than the spindle end. Maybe I'm just working with extremely springy workpieces? Maybe there's a piece of grit on the spindle nose which locates the chuck? Maybe my toolholder setup isn't really rigid? (Aloris CXA, sure seems tight to me.)

Ideas?

 

[Farmer Phil]

Is the taper present without the tailstock?

 

[metalmagpie]

Is the taper present without the tailstock?

Yes.

I wrote to the Brazilian company that does Nardini parts support in Brazil to try to get the Timken bearing numbers. Or to get the bearings. My wife is going to be in Manaus in a few weeks.

 

[jackalope]

I think you’re going to need to disassemble to get those numbers. I’ve not had anyone to my recollection be able to get through to them. There was a distributor here in the states some time ago called Dixie something but they are gone.