DavidScott
Diamond
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2012
- Location
- Washington
The first question is what caused the grinding marks on my spindle taper seen here on the tool holders? The marks on the tool holders are caused by linear high spots in my spindle taper that are about .12" apart. The spindle is a 10k BT30 that had steel bearings in it but was rebuilt using ceramic. It looks like the taper is a little tight at the top too.
Next question, what are the master tapers used to check spindle tapers called? I am trying to find out where to get one and how much it will cost for a dual contact BT-30. No luck so far using my search key words.
My Kitamura's spindle bearings are getting too noisy and I think I have just started seeing a lack of preload in some facing operations so it is time to deal with it. The 3 options I am looking at are ship it to Setco in L.A., I am told this is who does them for Kitamura, have C&M in Portland do it, or if possible do it myself with help from this forum. The taper is in perfect shape so it doesn't have to get ground. If replacing the bearings myself is out I am not sure which way to go so I would like your opinions please. The good and bad of each option:
Setco - I will have to box up my spindle and ship it 1,000 miles, which is not without risks. I will be down an extra week or two for shipping. With shipping, the price will be the same as C&M, just over $6k. I have no experience with Setco, anyone here have any? What did you think of them?
C&M - I can drive my spindle to them so fast risk-free shipping. They have rebuilt one spindle twice for me so I have some experience with them. The downside is they don't have a master taper to grind the spindle to, they ask that you supply a tool holder for them to use. I don't find that acceptable with a spindle as nice as the one on my Kitamura so I will have to buy and supply the master if they do the work. Being Big-Plus will only add to that cost.
Do it myself - Spindle is from a 2001 Kitamura. 15k direct-drive BT-30 with two angular contact bearings in the nose and a roller bearing at the top with through spindle coolant, cartridge. If there are any sorta special tools needed to work on it I will have to get them. I have never done one before but have re-balled ball screws and replaced linear ways and blocks without screwing anything up.
Next question, what are the master tapers used to check spindle tapers called? I am trying to find out where to get one and how much it will cost for a dual contact BT-30. No luck so far using my search key words.
My Kitamura's spindle bearings are getting too noisy and I think I have just started seeing a lack of preload in some facing operations so it is time to deal with it. The 3 options I am looking at are ship it to Setco in L.A., I am told this is who does them for Kitamura, have C&M in Portland do it, or if possible do it myself with help from this forum. The taper is in perfect shape so it doesn't have to get ground. If replacing the bearings myself is out I am not sure which way to go so I would like your opinions please. The good and bad of each option:
Setco - I will have to box up my spindle and ship it 1,000 miles, which is not without risks. I will be down an extra week or two for shipping. With shipping, the price will be the same as C&M, just over $6k. I have no experience with Setco, anyone here have any? What did you think of them?
C&M - I can drive my spindle to them so fast risk-free shipping. They have rebuilt one spindle twice for me so I have some experience with them. The downside is they don't have a master taper to grind the spindle to, they ask that you supply a tool holder for them to use. I don't find that acceptable with a spindle as nice as the one on my Kitamura so I will have to buy and supply the master if they do the work. Being Big-Plus will only add to that cost.
Do it myself - Spindle is from a 2001 Kitamura. 15k direct-drive BT-30 with two angular contact bearings in the nose and a roller bearing at the top with through spindle coolant, cartridge. If there are any sorta special tools needed to work on it I will have to get them. I have never done one before but have re-balled ball screws and replaced linear ways and blocks without screwing anything up.