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- Feb 4, 2014
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- 185
Since I'm in an unfortunate lathe-limbo at the current point and time and find myself with an additional bit of knowledge, I figure I'll share it with the masses! Here's a short write-up of how to take the spindle out of a G4003G lathe. I wasn't planning on turning the project into a post, but since I find myself with a few pictures and a serious lack of lathe work to do...you get it...
So first and foremost, there is a cover on both ends of the spindle, these both need to be less attached to the machine than they are shipped as. The rear spindle cover comes right off with four screws, underneath the cover there should be two nuts for the spindle. Mine has one nut that is a funky split deal with two set screws. This comes off by loosening the set screws and with the persuasion of a hammer and chisel. The manual states that either this method can be used or ideally, use a spanner that is the appropriate size or build one. The front cover can not be completely removed at this time because it is sandwiched between the chuck mount and the machine.
From here, we need to remove the cover of the gear box, drain the oil and stair in aww of the massive glitter show that is awaiting us at the bottom of our gearbox. It's worth noting that I followed all the steps when I first got my machine to flush all the metal shavings out of the gearbox, and yet they still remain in large numbers...
There is also a snap ring that retains the three gears closest to the chuck of the machine. This needs to be removed from it's groove and shifted over.
At this point in time a hammer and a block of wood are required. Give the outside end of the spindle a sharp whack with the block and hammer combo to introduce a little bit end-play. Once you feel some endplay, continue giving the spindle some love. After an inch or so the back bearing should fall right out. Make sure put something between the spindle and bearing race if you plan to reuse those. A few more taps and the front bearing will be separated from it's race, once again protect your race if need be.
At this point the largest gear is the only thing holding you back. Keep tapping away and soon enough the large gear will slide freely. Your spindle is free!
Sorry about the sideways pictures...
Make sure to note the order of gears and also be careful of the keyways in the spindle, they were loose in mine and were ready to fall out. It's also beneficial to note the orientation of the keyways.
This is a fantastic opportunity to completely clean out your gearbox of it's floor decorations.
My bearing races were warn quite unevenly and had a few fairly deep scratches in them. The shavings had their way with them apparently. My bearings were also warn slightly and had a few scratches in them. Nothing that screamed "super chatter" though...
Here are the details of one of the bearings, I didn't take a photo of the other apparently...
To get the bearing off the spindle a press was used, I was able to lay the bearing cover on my press blocks and press strait down to get it off. All went well without a hiccup.
I also took the races off because If I was replacing the one thing, might as well cover everything. These are simply tapped out via a punch and hammer. Just walk the punch around the perimeter and it comes out fairly easy. I was surprised by how horrible the finish and material was under the races...
From here, a brand new set of bearing and races was purchased. Timkens were my nearest choice so I went with those. Interestingly enough, one was made in Poland and the other in Italy. Quite the different location from the US, which is where I was told they were made by the bearing professional. Details in the picture...
I threw the races in the freezer for a few hours and they popped right into their appropriate holes without fuss. The larger bering needed to be pressed onto the spindle so I used the old race as support and on it went. From here is the hardest part for me. The spindle is reinserted into the gearbox and the gears are place on, the largest gear is a very tight fit so it needed to be persuaded all the way on by a small brass hammer. Little by little it went on.
This was probably the most time-consuming also because it's in such a hard to reach area. But after awhile its on. Then get everything in place, REAPPLY THE SNAP RING, and put the outer bearing in place, followed by the bearing nut. Then adjust the preload, seal everything up and enjoy your fantastic new bearings accompanied by your spectacular new finish!
Wait, What? Crap!! Well if you look closely you can see that my finish is still poo and it sounds of a faint screaming child...
Anywho, the procedure is the same whether it fixes your problem or not! Let me know if I left anything important out, I can always post more details or additional photos.
Enjoy!
So first and foremost, there is a cover on both ends of the spindle, these both need to be less attached to the machine than they are shipped as. The rear spindle cover comes right off with four screws, underneath the cover there should be two nuts for the spindle. Mine has one nut that is a funky split deal with two set screws. This comes off by loosening the set screws and with the persuasion of a hammer and chisel. The manual states that either this method can be used or ideally, use a spanner that is the appropriate size or build one. The front cover can not be completely removed at this time because it is sandwiched between the chuck mount and the machine.
From here, we need to remove the cover of the gear box, drain the oil and stair in aww of the massive glitter show that is awaiting us at the bottom of our gearbox. It's worth noting that I followed all the steps when I first got my machine to flush all the metal shavings out of the gearbox, and yet they still remain in large numbers...
There is also a snap ring that retains the three gears closest to the chuck of the machine. This needs to be removed from it's groove and shifted over.
At this point in time a hammer and a block of wood are required. Give the outside end of the spindle a sharp whack with the block and hammer combo to introduce a little bit end-play. Once you feel some endplay, continue giving the spindle some love. After an inch or so the back bearing should fall right out. Make sure put something between the spindle and bearing race if you plan to reuse those. A few more taps and the front bearing will be separated from it's race, once again protect your race if need be.
At this point the largest gear is the only thing holding you back. Keep tapping away and soon enough the large gear will slide freely. Your spindle is free!
Sorry about the sideways pictures...
Make sure to note the order of gears and also be careful of the keyways in the spindle, they were loose in mine and were ready to fall out. It's also beneficial to note the orientation of the keyways.
This is a fantastic opportunity to completely clean out your gearbox of it's floor decorations.
My bearing races were warn quite unevenly and had a few fairly deep scratches in them. The shavings had their way with them apparently. My bearings were also warn slightly and had a few scratches in them. Nothing that screamed "super chatter" though...
Here are the details of one of the bearings, I didn't take a photo of the other apparently...
To get the bearing off the spindle a press was used, I was able to lay the bearing cover on my press blocks and press strait down to get it off. All went well without a hiccup.
I also took the races off because If I was replacing the one thing, might as well cover everything. These are simply tapped out via a punch and hammer. Just walk the punch around the perimeter and it comes out fairly easy. I was surprised by how horrible the finish and material was under the races...
From here, a brand new set of bearing and races was purchased. Timkens were my nearest choice so I went with those. Interestingly enough, one was made in Poland and the other in Italy. Quite the different location from the US, which is where I was told they were made by the bearing professional. Details in the picture...
I threw the races in the freezer for a few hours and they popped right into their appropriate holes without fuss. The larger bering needed to be pressed onto the spindle so I used the old race as support and on it went. From here is the hardest part for me. The spindle is reinserted into the gearbox and the gears are place on, the largest gear is a very tight fit so it needed to be persuaded all the way on by a small brass hammer. Little by little it went on.
This was probably the most time-consuming also because it's in such a hard to reach area. But after awhile its on. Then get everything in place, REAPPLY THE SNAP RING, and put the outer bearing in place, followed by the bearing nut. Then adjust the preload, seal everything up and enjoy your fantastic new bearings accompanied by your spectacular new finish!
Wait, What? Crap!! Well if you look closely you can see that my finish is still poo and it sounds of a faint screaming child...
Anywho, the procedure is the same whether it fixes your problem or not! Let me know if I left anything important out, I can always post more details or additional photos.
Enjoy!