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- Jul 2, 2014
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Continued from http://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/brown-sharpe-2l-surface-grinder-before.49082/#post-418000
I have been working on the surface grinder. I rebuilt the spindle using the best clean room I could reasonably cobble together, and cleaned everything with solvent, with Evaporust, with elbow grease, and with hot water and detergent. The hardened steel spindle and the bronze boxes showed a good fit and finish, and the clearance between them was exactly as specified, .00011". which is determined by measuring the depth of the spindle both with and without the thrust washer, subtracting the difference, and the desired difference should be .0050", the end play of the slightly tapered spindle. I used my B & S BesTest .0001" DTI to make the checks. Besides cleaning, inspecting, oiling, and reassembling the spindle with my best possible techniques, I did nothing to change anything. Apparently, the problem all along was caused by using the wrong oil in the spindle, which is specifically warned about in the manual. After testing, another wash with hot water and detergent, hot water rinse, blow dry, and then oiled EVERYTHING lightly with the correct oil and assembled them as clean as I possibly could. I also repaired the constant level Gits oiler, which was cracked and leaking and needed a new gasket. That specific oiler is no longer available, though there are substitutes out there.
I also took the carriage off, because of all the grime I could see in there that was not accessible without taking it apart. It is a fairly involved operation, lots of things need to be taken apart exactly by the instructions. Old grimy and stuck parts just make that more fun. But, I got it apart without any issues that were not easily addressed.
I decided against painting the entire machine, which would have required a lot more disassembly to do it right, and the rest of the systems were tight and smooth.
I spent literally a week getting the grime off of everything, and it looks lots better without the layers of grime. I decided to restore and properly paint and polish all the parts that my hands will come in contact with while running the machine. The multiple layers of paint exposed after removing the grime, and all the scratches and wear make the machine look old, and it IS old and I think it should look like it. The restored controls let the user know that it is an old machine that has been brought to functional renewal.
I also cleaned up all the pulleys, ways, and other working parts, removing lots of thick petrified layers of crud, and I will replace 4 Gits oil hole covers when they arrive next Monday. The only things left to clean up are the carriage and the table. The carriage is pretty complicated, but is easily accessible off the machine, and should be easy to clean. The table will need more work, and it has some surface rust here and there that will need to be cleaned up. I may end up painting the table.
The first picture, above, is of the place I cleared for it in my 3 car garage. Next, below, are the cleaned up and restored parts, and the dirty carriage behind them.
Putting the machine in position with my engine hoist. A freebie Harbor Freight tarp is installed behind the machine. Part of the plan is to get all the gritty machines in one quarantined area so the clean machines and areas stay clean.
Cleaned up and lubed but not painted machine installed on an automotive drip pan. One knob is painted black in place because it did not want to come off easily.
This is a view of the "grit area" that I will make. The carbide grinder, the three grinders and belt sander on the table, and the belt/disc sander in the left background will all be enclosed with the surface grinder, probably with clear plastic curtains. I also picked up two high end shop vacs with a "claimed" power of 5.5 hp (hah!) for $10 each to collect grit from the machines. I will make a nozzle adapter to fit the wheel guard on the surface grinder.
Here is all the stuff I needed to move out of the grit area and need to find new homes for.
Here is a start at reorganizing the layout of my shop. EVERYTHING in the picture has been moved.
Here is a look at it from the other side, where my car gets parked. The curtains will go past that first grinder stand and then take a left to the wall.
The last two pictures show all the stuff on the floor from opposite ends of the shop, left over without homes after the move. I have places in mind for almost all of them, but I am sure some things will require some thinking outside the box. I have no idea where I will put that tall shelf unit, but I need it badly. I will be starting on it tomorrow. At least I can still get the car in. It has been really hot here, I must have sweat a gallon today. After I get the mess straightened out, it will be time to reassemble the grinder and test it. Watch for part 3...
Continued at http://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/brown-sharpe-2l-surface-grinder-getting-close.49978/
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