BadDog
Stainless
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2006
- Location
- Phoenix, AZ
Hello again. I've been gone for quite some time due to family and medical issues, but finally getting back to some long postponed projects. My current target is my Porter Cable G8.
I acquired it some years ago in functional condition but needing some attention. It's got a bunch of minor issues like broken hinge and missing latches on belt door (which has a major belt bite from tracking out), broken sheave on motor pulley, etc. But everything mechanical worked/works great, but I never really put it to use, and when life got in the way, I set it aside for "some day". It appears that day has come.
So, the main thing I need is an owners manual. If I could put my hands on one of those (ideally download), my other questions become moot. It's an early model, with all the swoopy curves and art deco look, I suspect from the 40s or early 50s. I found a brochure online for a late 50s (I think?), and it had a different more square base with the same main casting. But I suspect any manual will do.
Next, what lube is used for the main hubs? The upper idler has a high pressure fitting like used for grease on cars. However, I know that these are also sometimes used for high pressure oilers, for example, on the old bridgeport turret mill ways. The lower hub has what appears to be an access port like you find on lots of automobile axis. It has a flat-head screwdriver slot. Yes, I'm going to pull them and see what I can fish out, but even after grease/oil question may be resolved, the next is "what grade/type". So, thought I would ask along with the manual ask.
Second, has anyone ever taken the top side of one of these apart? The massive tracking and tensioning system (looks a bit like a shaper tool slide) doesn't appear to have a "this is how this comes off" feature. But I'm wondering if removing the pivot bolt for the tracking rocker will let the whole upper hub come out the opposite side complete with wheel. The wheel hub also have a cover plate with screws, and I suspect I'll find a spindle nut under there. Also allows investigation of lube, but really, it runs so freely and smooth, I'm a bit loath to add to my "need to do" list. The main thing I'm after is removing that tensioner slide to clean and lubricate it along with the screw, right now they are the only thing on the grinder that doesn't work smoothly and easily. I'll probably never use it enough to damage it as it is now, but it's something I would like ot address. I can start taking apart and figure it out as I go, but since I'm posting for a manual, I thought I might include this point as well.
And finally, mine doesn't have the wet grinding coolant system. I normally avoid the mess of coolant, but this seems like an exception. As I understand it, the coolant sprays a light mist on the back side of the belt, and it's not terribly messy (at least not like a surface grinder or mill), and will really help with a big metal eater like this. So, can anyone provide information on how that system worked? Pictures? Advice? I found lots of pictures of G8s online, and lots of mentions of the wet grinding system, but nothing at all about exactly how it worked or how it was constructed.
Sorry for the long post, but I just rolled it back into my shop and getting started, so lots of unknowns.
I acquired it some years ago in functional condition but needing some attention. It's got a bunch of minor issues like broken hinge and missing latches on belt door (which has a major belt bite from tracking out), broken sheave on motor pulley, etc. But everything mechanical worked/works great, but I never really put it to use, and when life got in the way, I set it aside for "some day". It appears that day has come.
So, the main thing I need is an owners manual. If I could put my hands on one of those (ideally download), my other questions become moot. It's an early model, with all the swoopy curves and art deco look, I suspect from the 40s or early 50s. I found a brochure online for a late 50s (I think?), and it had a different more square base with the same main casting. But I suspect any manual will do.
Next, what lube is used for the main hubs? The upper idler has a high pressure fitting like used for grease on cars. However, I know that these are also sometimes used for high pressure oilers, for example, on the old bridgeport turret mill ways. The lower hub has what appears to be an access port like you find on lots of automobile axis. It has a flat-head screwdriver slot. Yes, I'm going to pull them and see what I can fish out, but even after grease/oil question may be resolved, the next is "what grade/type". So, thought I would ask along with the manual ask.
Second, has anyone ever taken the top side of one of these apart? The massive tracking and tensioning system (looks a bit like a shaper tool slide) doesn't appear to have a "this is how this comes off" feature. But I'm wondering if removing the pivot bolt for the tracking rocker will let the whole upper hub come out the opposite side complete with wheel. The wheel hub also have a cover plate with screws, and I suspect I'll find a spindle nut under there. Also allows investigation of lube, but really, it runs so freely and smooth, I'm a bit loath to add to my "need to do" list. The main thing I'm after is removing that tensioner slide to clean and lubricate it along with the screw, right now they are the only thing on the grinder that doesn't work smoothly and easily. I'll probably never use it enough to damage it as it is now, but it's something I would like ot address. I can start taking apart and figure it out as I go, but since I'm posting for a manual, I thought I might include this point as well.
And finally, mine doesn't have the wet grinding coolant system. I normally avoid the mess of coolant, but this seems like an exception. As I understand it, the coolant sprays a light mist on the back side of the belt, and it's not terribly messy (at least not like a surface grinder or mill), and will really help with a big metal eater like this. So, can anyone provide information on how that system worked? Pictures? Advice? I found lots of pictures of G8s online, and lots of mentions of the wet grinding system, but nothing at all about exactly how it worked or how it was constructed.
Sorry for the long post, but I just rolled it back into my shop and getting started, so lots of unknowns.