Illinoyance
Stainless
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2015
I have a Taft Pierce surface grinder in which the previous owner lost the balls that support the table. Does anyone know the proper size for the balls?
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Taft Pierce
- Thread starter Illinoyance
- Start date
- Replies 16
- Views 3,480
thermite
Diamond
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2011
Someone on PM will know.
Meanwhile, it cannot hurt to have another tool in the metrology arsenal.
Search ebay or the like for "precision gage ball set". With which, you could soon determine what the T-P had utilized by trial.
But one of many uses, of course.
johnoder
Diamond
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2004
- Location
- Houston, TX USA
I'll eyeball mine and see if there is anything to see/report
sfriedberg
Diamond
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2010
- Location
- Oregon, USA
No experience with the Taft-Pierce, but 5/8" or 3/4" would be typical for some other brands. And you probably have some wiggle room on diameter so long as you use balls of matched diameter.
MCritchley
Stainless
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2007
- Location
- Brooklyn WI
The balls may actually be rollers.
johnoder
Diamond
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2004
- Location
- Houston, TX USA
I'd guess the ones in mine are 5/8 - pretty far in there, but that is my guess. You would need the "cages", which are bar shaped, and the balls are surprisingly far apart, like 3" - again a guess.
I'd doubt there is a dozen balls in the pair of table runs
The balls DO need to be the correct size so the rack and pinion work like velvet - a good phrase for the whole machine
Have 100 NOS class 25 that size if you want to experiment with a small bunch.
I'd doubt there is a dozen balls in the pair of table runs
The balls DO need to be the correct size so the rack and pinion work like velvet - a good phrase for the whole machine
Have 100 NOS class 25 that size if you want to experiment with a small bunch.
Zahnrad Kopf
Diamond
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2010
- Location
- Tropic of Milwaukee
MCritchley is correct. You need to clarify which bearings you are needing information on.
Some are indeed rollers. And be advised - They are not available.
Original -
Manufactured-
Some are indeed rollers. And be advised - They are not available.
Original -
Manufactured-
Last edited:
Zahnrad Kopf
Diamond
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2010
- Location
- Tropic of Milwaukee
And... if they are indeed balls, they could be either 0.500" or 0.625", depending on whether they are in the cross slide or the column.
Paolo_MD
Stainless
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2013
- Location
- Damascus, MD
Here is the link to a video of Robin Renzetti making guides for balls.
He goes into several important details, like weight distribution and ball lubrication.
Paolo
He goes into several important details, like weight distribution and ball lubrication.
Paolo
Illinoyance
Stainless
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2015
Thanks to all who contributed. Very helpful.
Illinoyance
Stainless
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2015
I just got some documentation on the grinder. I thought I would share it. File sizes exceed what the forum allows. If you want copies of the patent drawings and the instruction and parts manuals PM me with your e-mail addresses.
johnoder
Diamond
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2004
- Location
- Houston, TX USA
Thank you kind Sir - rec'd in good order.
laminar-flow
Stainless
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2003
- Location
- Pacific Northwest
Mine seem to be .500" diameter.
Illinoyance
Stainless
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2015
I have recently solved part of my problem by reading parts lists and manuals. The saddle is supported on rollers. There is a central guide on the saddle that maintains perpendicularity. It consists of V rays and balls. The column is supported by 2 sets of V ways and 5/8" balls. The table uses one V-V guide with 1/2" balls. The opposite guide is V-Flat with 1/2" balls.
I am researching another problem now.When I attach an indicator to the wheelhead and traverse the saddle back to front I see about .040 drop in 5" of travel. It looks like I an going to have to strip the machine down to bare bones to locate the problem.
I am researching another problem now.When I attach an indicator to the wheelhead and traverse the saddle back to front I see about .040 drop in 5" of travel. It looks like I an going to have to strip the machine down to bare bones to locate the problem.
Last edited:
laminar-flow
Stainless
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2003
- Location
- Pacific Northwest
Yes, that is a design problem with this Taft Pierce grinder model. Because the Z hand wheel is on the saddle, and drives a square shaft through a square hole to drive the Z, the movement of the Y influences the Z by sliding on the square shaft. So when I move in Z, I back up to get into the slop range, then move in Y, then advance the Z again and back off. I have started to make an indicator holder that is on a rod to move in Z and not depend on the Z dial and Z system.
Patriot Gearhead
Plastic
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2021
- Location
- South Jersey
I have a TP 100 (5 1/2 x 10 1/2) with the ability to set the spindle on an angle. First thing i did was remove the table to clean, inspect, and properly lube the balls. They were all gummed up with grease, Should be oiled not greased.
My TP grinders balls measured .500. I recommend paying the $$$ for grade 25 or better on the old AFBMA chart.
.
My TP grinders balls measured .500. I recommend paying the $$$ for grade 25 or better on the old AFBMA chart.
.
michiganbuck
Diamond
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2012
- Location
- Mt Clemens, Michigan 48035
This is a very old thread 2018 or so brought back to life by gearhead.
RE from post #14:
[I am researching another problem now. When I attach an indicator to the wheel head and traverse the saddle back to front I see about .040 drop in 5" of travel. It looks like I am going to have to strip the machine down to bare bones to locate the problem.]
When/if you find something this odd, it might be good to shim up a straight parallel and indicate the top
of the parallel. Indicate going long travel, and cross trave on top of the flat shimmed parallel.
RE from post #14:
[I am researching another problem now. When I attach an indicator to the wheel head and traverse the saddle back to front I see about .040 drop in 5" of travel. It looks like I am going to have to strip the machine down to bare bones to locate the problem.]
When/if you find something this odd, it might be good to shim up a straight parallel and indicate the top
of the parallel. Indicate going long travel, and cross trave on top of the flat shimmed parallel.
