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Monarch 10EE Spindle Leak

Mac007

Aluminum
Joined
Jun 7, 2009
Location
Kentucky USA
Hello community please advise. Do the 1960’s era 10EE’s have any sort of Spindle Seal? Mine is leaking around the Spindle. The machine had sat idle for a few years before I obtained it. Any help on what if anything could cause the leak?

Thanks in Advance.
 
There is a "labrinth" type seal on the spindle, which is really no seal at all, but a trough around the spindle to catch the oil. There should be a paper gasket between the spindle flange plate and front of the headstock. There is a small hole at the bottom of the flange that allows overflow from the spindle bearing compartment to drain into the chip tray.
 
In the 1960s the headstock oiling was changed, old style has 3 oil windows, later style has only one window. In both older and newer headstocks the center oil level is below the spindle bearings, if oil pours out, the level is too high.
There are other conditions specific to older or newer style, I would have to know one oil window or two.
 
In the 1960s the headstock oiling was changed, old style has 3 oil windows, later style has only one window. In both older and newer headstocks the center oil level is below the spindle bearings, if oil pours out, the level is too high.
There are other conditions specific to older or newer style, I would have to know one oil window or two.

THANKS everyone, I believe the prior owner simply overfilled :)
 
I think its been discussed here several times about the 3 window headstocks suddenly dropping oil level in the front bearing window, or slowly leaking down. My 1951 MfG model EE, does it all, it can hold the oil level for months, suddenly drop oil level, and slowly leak it. It always ends up in the center compartment.

On the single window headstock, the spindle bearings oil from the trough at the top, oil gets to the trough by climbing up the small gears that drive the alternator that powers the tachometer-"the later tachometer shows rpm with the machine in reverse" the trough has a sharp edge, that scrapes the oil off the side of tachometer drive gear. Amazingly simple, no pump, and depending on some adjustments can provide too much oil. The basic adjustment is using a feeler gage to determine the gap between the gear and the trough, "closer would provide more oil".
When the spindle is reversed on the "one oil window headstock" machines, the tachometer gears pick up more oil then when in forward. I am mentioning this because if the machine has sat for some time, it is beneficial to warm up the machine by running it in reverse at around 300 rpm for a few minutes, this will flood the oil trough, and get some oil to the end gear train, if you want to cut some threads right off. Also, during warm up, place the gear box in coarse feed, that will kick the oil around in there.
And, after all that nonsense, back on the topic, because the single window headstock machines pick up more oil in reverse, if they are not ran forward again, a little oil may leak out the front of the spindle cap....
 
In the 1960s the headstock oiling was changed, old style has 3 oil windows, later style has only one window. In both older and newer headstocks the center oil level is below the spindle bearings, if oil pours out, the level is too high.
There are other conditions specific to older or newer style, I would have to know one oil window or two.

Donnie, Its a One Window, 1969 year.
Just drained the old oil from Spindle chamber. and replaced with the Mobil DTE 24 Hydraulic oil. The old oil was a fairly dark Reddish color. This new oil is basically Clear. What I have read about this Mobil DTE 24 is it is excellent.

One thing I can’t be sure of is the oil level. The Sight Gage is stained pretty dark, so hard t see oil level. I am hoping the new oil will perhaps clean the window over time if I’m lucky.
 
Donnie, Its a One Window, 1969 year.
Just drained the old oil from Spindle chamber. and replaced with the Mobil DTE 24 Hydraulic oil. The old oil was a fairly dark Reddish color. This new oil is basically Clear. What I have read about this Mobil DTE 24 is it is excellent.

One thing I can’t be sure of is the oil level. The Sight Gage is stained pretty dark, so hard t see oil level. I am hoping the new oil will perhaps clean the window over time if I’m lucky.
That will not happen as the old oil has turned to varnish.
 
Donnie, Its a One Window, 1969 year.
Just drained the old oil from Spindle chamber. and replaced with the Mobil DTE 24 Hydraulic oil. The old oil was a fairly dark Reddish color. This new oil is basically Clear. What I have read about this Mobil DTE 24 is it is excellent.
...
DTE 24 hydraulic oil IS NOT the correct oil for your headstock! You want DTE Light. Hydraulic oils are engineered for very different applications. We've had this discussion over and over. The only thing that right about DTE 24 is the viscosity.

Cal
 
The window can be cleaned. Take the retaining ring off/out, use a "Q"-tip with a little acetone or Lacquer thinner and carefully wipe the window.
On my 10ee's, the old varnish dissolved easily with Acetone.
I did test the reaction of Acetone and the plastic lens material by wiping the outer perimeter of the plastic with a wet Q-tip and checked to see if the acetone softened the plastic. It did not on my plastic items.

DualValve
 
DTE 24 hydraulic oil IS NOT the correct oil for your headstock! You want DTE Light. Hydraulic oils are engineered for very different applications. We've had this discussion over and over. The only thing that right about DTE 24 is the viscosity.

Cal

Cal,

Is there a chart somewhere for the right oils that are available today? I have a 1944 vintage 10EE and although I won't need the oil for a spell as I'm nowhere near getting mine even fully apart, much less cleaned, fixed and back together, I'd like to get them here so I have them on hand.
 
For 10ee's with three windows in the headstock,
Mobile DTE LIGHT. Circulating oil - Lubricating oil This is used for the spindle bearings, front and rear.
For the center section of the headstock, and the threading gearbox
Mobil DTE Heavy-Medium Circulating oil

For the apron sump for lubricting the ways
Mobil Vactra #2

I found all of these on Amazon, and through Zoro.

DualValve
 
For 10ee's with three windows in the headstock,
Mobile DTE LIGHT. Circulating oil - Lubricating oil This is used for the spindle bearings, front and rear.
For the center section of the headstock, and the threading gearbox
Mobil DTE Heavy-Medium Circulating oil

For the apron sump for lubricting the ways
Mobil Vactra #2

I found all of these on Amazon, and through Zoro.

DualValve
Newer square-dials with only one oil sight glass take just DTE Light in the center reservoir, with services the spindle bearings as well.

Cal
 








 
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