bladesmith5
Aluminum
- Joined
- May 11, 2005
- Location
- New York
I am looking for advise on my newly acquired 135 lathe. I purchased it as non working because the variable speed drive pulleys were froze up but I read that was a common issue. By the time the machine made it home on its 2 1/2 hour trek the pulleys had freed themselves up. After reading several posts I drained the oil tank, cleaned the screen, replaced all the copper seals for the oil lines , filled with fresh oil and ran the machine for 1/2 hour. Prior to running I also did a really good cleaning of the inside around the motor compartment as it was filthy with oil, swarf from belt , ect. I had placed fresh paper towels on top of motor and around the base to determine if any leaks still existed and all looked good. But then I noticed the belts were once again coated in oil so I am guessing the oil is being fed from the hoses on the back of the pulley shaft and bypassing the seals on the pulleys.
So my big question is do I just remove the pully assembly and replace the seals on the pulleys or go to a plan B. The owner of the machine said he replaced the seals and pulley bushings about 10 years before so I'm not sure if he put in correct seals, didn't clean up any possible burrs on shaft ect. Plan B for me is to eliminate the oil system completely (just for the variable speed unit) and either machine the pulleys to accept permanently sealed ball bearings or add grease fittings for the existing bushing setup. so I don't have to deal with this again. I appreciate any help, thanks, Barry
So my big question is do I just remove the pully assembly and replace the seals on the pulleys or go to a plan B. The owner of the machine said he replaced the seals and pulley bushings about 10 years before so I'm not sure if he put in correct seals, didn't clean up any possible burrs on shaft ect. Plan B for me is to eliminate the oil system completely (just for the variable speed unit) and either machine the pulleys to accept permanently sealed ball bearings or add grease fittings for the existing bushing setup. so I don't have to deal with this again. I appreciate any help, thanks, Barry