Hi Folks, I was just wondering if any of you fellow (or ladies)have much experience with this model and/or could offer any friendly advice, do's, don'ts, and so on before put the power to it.
Thanks
The oil flow in the head stock sight glass should be visible within a few seconds of engaging the spindle clutch. If you do not see the oil streaming by it is time to change the oil filter. This is WIX part number 51049 or Napa part 1049. There is a provision for a pressure gage to be screwed in next to the filter. The gage will show about five psi.
The oil in the sight glass is over flow from the oil distribution plate sitting above the head stock gears. The lathe must be level to insure that the oil from the plate is being equally distributed.
Before putting power to the lathe verify that the head stock tapered roller bearings are not too loose or tight. The bearings can be adjusted using a worm screw accessed below the oil filter.
Put the feeds box in the OUT position( or the lead screw reverse in neutral), the head stock in Neutral, and then turn the spindle by hand using the chuck. There will be some resistance to rotation but it should not be difficult to turn. If it seems OK leave the adjustment alone. The bearings can be easily damaged if the preload is set wrong particularly if the lathe is operated at the high end of the spindle speeds.
Until you know for sure that the Zip shift is working for all gears, rock the chuck back and forth after a gear shift to verify gear engagement before engaging the spindle clutch.
The usual warnings about sludge in the apron, feeds box, head stock, tail stock and Zip shift hydraulics apply.
The way wipers may have become brittle. This is a problem for the soft tail stock ways. Try to clean out any trapped chips under the wipers to prevent scratching.
The tension on the motor pulley belts is normally done using a screw between the floor and the motor mounting plate. This is not essential. You can also use a wood wedge between the lathe frame and the motor to adjust the belt tension. It works and avoids having to drill a hole in the floor.
The usual warnings about switching over from 480 volts to 240 volts on the motor and the need to adjust the voltage to the contactor coils apply.
Verify that the spindle cam locks are adjusted correctly.
Do not engage the spindle unless the chuck jaws are clamped onto a bar. You already know about that hazard.
The maximum spindle speed for using the lead screw reverse is 200 RPM.
Inspect the braided copper cable used on the three phase power shut off switch. The cable may have become damaged after 45 years of service.