Headstock bearing adjustment

[BWS Arms]

I have the owners manual for my lathe and can find no info on adjusting the rear spindle bearing. It seems to me that if I adjust the tapered roller bearings in the front that should require an adjustment in the rear of the double roller ball bearing. Anyone have any info on the subject?

 

[DavidR8]

What lathe do you have?

 

[markba633csi]

Yes what lathe is it? Usually there is a single adjustment

 

[BWS Arms]

Supermax LG1660. It was made in 1997 in Taiwan. I saw a post on PM where a member said they had several in their shop and that they were a authorized copy of a Mazak Mate.

 

[BWS Arms]

Yes what lathe is it? Usually there is a single adjustment

Thats all the owner manual shows.

 

[Beckerkumm]

Generally the single adjustment is all that is needed. the rear bearings are set with spacers so tightening only adjusts the tapered front bearing. When I adjust, I mark the position and only move about 1/16-1/8". Run the spindle at high for 10-15 minutes and feel for heat. Warm is good, hot is bad. If the bearing is still cool, you can try a little more adjustment. Ideally you are looking for warm bearings when running. Dave

 

[BWS Arms]

I’m doing the same thing. Adjust, run, and check temperature.

 

[DavidR8]

That's how I adjusted the bearings in my 12x37. I stopped adjusting when the temp settled at 100F after 45 mins of running with a chuck on the spindle.