- Joined
- Aug 30, 2021
- Messages
- 37
Well after years of "machining" metal without owning any machine tools, my shop (1.5 garage bays lol) is shaping up. Picked up a very nice Toolmaster (with collets!) that started its life making vacuum tubes for GE and then the maintenance department for 30-40 years for a factory making earthquake bolts. After running it for a few months I have the head completely apart to clean and fix any small issues. The spindle TIR was 0.0002" and basically everything works. Just inspecting, fixing seals, and cleaning the massive amounts of grease the previous owner injected everywhere (grease in an oil system drives me crazy).
Given the new look of the top spindle nut, I don't believe anyone has looked at the bearings since it was built in 1957. While it appears they are original New Departure bearings, and seem ok currently, I'm wondering if anyone has "upgraded" a Toolmaster to a 5-pack bearing stack like the BP boys have been doing (2 sets of duals at the bottom and a single at the top)? NOS bearings are cheap and will go that route for now, but wondering if there is a potential to make the Toolmaster "better-er".
Over all the internals are in great shape, though the down feed clutch spiral gear has been worn down into a thing of real beauty (and is so sharp it will make a great blender blade). I bent the step pulley a little, buggered the quill stop jam collar (easy to turn on my lathe), and of course the quill spring is a Rube Goldberg contraption. But certainly can't complain. Not sure when I'll get to the inspecting the tables and lower parts of the mill, but I'll attack that when I figure out my permanent 3-phase plan (just running cheap VFD's for my machines currently).
Anyways, hope to share some knowledge, but mostly buffooneries. If anyone got a wild hair and added some extra bearings to their spindle, let me know!
Given the new look of the top spindle nut, I don't believe anyone has looked at the bearings since it was built in 1957. While it appears they are original New Departure bearings, and seem ok currently, I'm wondering if anyone has "upgraded" a Toolmaster to a 5-pack bearing stack like the BP boys have been doing (2 sets of duals at the bottom and a single at the top)? NOS bearings are cheap and will go that route for now, but wondering if there is a potential to make the Toolmaster "better-er".
Over all the internals are in great shape, though the down feed clutch spiral gear has been worn down into a thing of real beauty (and is so sharp it will make a great blender blade). I bent the step pulley a little, buggered the quill stop jam collar (easy to turn on my lathe), and of course the quill spring is a Rube Goldberg contraption. But certainly can't complain. Not sure when I'll get to the inspecting the tables and lower parts of the mill, but I'll attack that when I figure out my permanent 3-phase plan (just running cheap VFD's for my machines currently).
Anyways, hope to share some knowledge, but mostly buffooneries. If anyone got a wild hair and added some extra bearings to their spindle, let me know!