Seneca falls 1910 Star 30 worm gear key (brass)

[Fred1000]

Hi Everyone,

I just got hold of a Seneca falls lathe and love it to bits. However, I'm not loving the rarity of parts and lack of information surrounding it due to its age. I'm a greenhorn in machining and this is my first lathe. I have been trying to restore it and have come across an issue with the power feed and it not engaging when I tighten the clutch wheel. Upon pulling it apart I found that there is no key in my brass worm gear nor key way.

I have been reading a few posts on here regarding the Seneca falls lathe and it has been very insightful with a lot of experienced people on here. I noticed one member talk about a captive key. I had never heard of it until today.

The brass worm gear requires a key that slides across the lead screw which I understand, however what I don't understand is the lack of a keyway in the brass worm gear. I have attached some photos for reference.

is anyone able to please shed light as to what kind of key I would use etc.

I have also noticed grease inside the apron gears, should I clean and re-grease or should i used oil instead? any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Fred

 

[Ray-s]

Fred, I see this post is a year old but in case you happen to check this is a picture of the part that locates in the grooves at the end of the worm and engages in the lead screw keyway.
This picture was posted years ago in the old Yahoo group.




As to the second question - I would remove the grease and rely on the oiling points. Grease would retain machining chips and the back of the apron is relatively open on these.

This is a photo of the back of the apron on my 9" - oily but no grease. Make sure the oiling points are clear - possibly blocked with grease.
This is an earlier machine so doesn't have the oil bath for the clutch drive gear (yours may have this?).