For those interested in the Southbend 7" Shaper Auto lube system

[ltlvt]

I finally got the ram off the Southbend 7" today so I could investigate why I was getting no lube on the right side of the Ram/Way. I've included pictures of what I had to disassemble and some pictures of the internal view of the lube system. You will see in one of the pictures where I put a dot of white paint on the 90 degree fitting that lubes the right side of the Ram. Just below the white dot is a very small pin hole. The hole must be from drilling the fitting too deep at the factory. Once i ushed the pipe cleaner in and out of the casting I manually actuated the pump, Oil was coming out of the pin hole. Gess what? I covered the pin hole with my finger and actuated the pump again and oil started coming out of the casting as it is supposed to. I cleaned it good with some emery and B-12 solvent and will try to put a tiny dab of solder over the pin hole tomorrow. I have had the shaper for 5 or 6 years and only used it once to make a TEE Nut and that is when I realized it was not lubing. Surprisingly the Way and the Gib are in excellent condition. Still have some of the factory oil flaking on it. So maybe these pictures will be good reference for anyone in the future.

 

[ltlvt]

I put a dab of solder on the hole in the fitting today with an electric soldering gun. It is now pumping oil to all 4 places. I cleaned the Ram and Ram ways up and have the ram assy back together. Next step is to set the stroke and run it under power. To my suprise there were no felt wipers on the ram ways. I will make leather ones tomorrow. Again I am really impressed with how good the ways and ram look. Still have the factory scraping on them.

 

[ltlvt]