I recently overhauled my 15L lathe.
I just couldn't adjust backlash, had the turret and cross slide jumping around with interrupted cuts, turret leaked oil, spindle bearings were on their way out. Just could not get a real cnc lathe in the basement through the low one car garage door without disassembly. Had to do something or quit.
Gonna ***** here for a little bit. I don't know if quality has come up on the lathe but I do own a 770MX and like the mill for the most part.
The biggest issue was the X gib. The thing was carved out on a belt sander and bent like a leaf spring. No exaggeration on the leaf spring. The Turcite on the carriage was not flat and oil grooves cut with a screw driver. I was very disgusted (and depressed) with the machine.
So I tore it all apart. First time for me going this deep.
Replaced the spindle bearings. I did forget to wash out the preservative oil (stupid) but used a good spindle grease. Tormach spindle bearings, especially in the mill tend to drop grease. Clean and repack asap. I did the my mill and vibes and chatter went way down. There is a good video on U Tube about this. Set me in motion. Next, the lever operated collet closer pivot link needs to beefed up.
Next I measured the height of carriage turcite surfaces and asked for help at a local machine shop as I couldn't mill the surfaces all in one shot. I also had them make a new X gib. They did a fantastic job. Pricey, but I couldn't do it that well. They removed the turcite and milled 0.015" or so off the two surfaces making them parallel. I bonded on new turcite and gave it back for machining to the proper height. Never would have guessed turcite is very abrasive and somewhat difficult to machine without heating it up. First time for both of us. I did a little 600 grit on the gib after some fit checks with dykem. Happy camper.
I had previously sent the ball screws and nuts out for overhaul but I sent the X out for another ball change. I also upgraded the stepper motor to one with a brake. Did not know that was available from Tormach until I stumbled upon it. That helped a lot. Had to shim the screw mounts to get things aligned close enough for the tighter nuts.
Fixed the oil leak on the turret, the position sensor pin did not have any seal to it. Gerry rigged silcone washer and auto trans sealant. Works for me.
Put it all back together and exercised it for a while. Tried checking with indicators for gib adjustment but the turret is so heavy, it's difficult to do without getting too tight. Plus it still needs more time for some break in. Played with backlash adjustment in the software but scaling seems to be locked. Best fit there.
All in all I have a pretty rigid machine that will repeat to within a half thou give or take a couple tenths.
Haven't put much time on it since but from what I can tell it's much smoother.
Thanks to Bryan Tool and Machine and Wedin Int'l for the help. Couldn't have done it without you.
Anybody figure out how to make the Tormach tailstock useable?
That is next.
I just couldn't adjust backlash, had the turret and cross slide jumping around with interrupted cuts, turret leaked oil, spindle bearings were on their way out. Just could not get a real cnc lathe in the basement through the low one car garage door without disassembly. Had to do something or quit.
Gonna ***** here for a little bit. I don't know if quality has come up on the lathe but I do own a 770MX and like the mill for the most part.
The biggest issue was the X gib. The thing was carved out on a belt sander and bent like a leaf spring. No exaggeration on the leaf spring. The Turcite on the carriage was not flat and oil grooves cut with a screw driver. I was very disgusted (and depressed) with the machine.
So I tore it all apart. First time for me going this deep.
Replaced the spindle bearings. I did forget to wash out the preservative oil (stupid) but used a good spindle grease. Tormach spindle bearings, especially in the mill tend to drop grease. Clean and repack asap. I did the my mill and vibes and chatter went way down. There is a good video on U Tube about this. Set me in motion. Next, the lever operated collet closer pivot link needs to beefed up.
Next I measured the height of carriage turcite surfaces and asked for help at a local machine shop as I couldn't mill the surfaces all in one shot. I also had them make a new X gib. They did a fantastic job. Pricey, but I couldn't do it that well. They removed the turcite and milled 0.015" or so off the two surfaces making them parallel. I bonded on new turcite and gave it back for machining to the proper height. Never would have guessed turcite is very abrasive and somewhat difficult to machine without heating it up. First time for both of us. I did a little 600 grit on the gib after some fit checks with dykem. Happy camper.
I had previously sent the ball screws and nuts out for overhaul but I sent the X out for another ball change. I also upgraded the stepper motor to one with a brake. Did not know that was available from Tormach until I stumbled upon it. That helped a lot. Had to shim the screw mounts to get things aligned close enough for the tighter nuts.
Fixed the oil leak on the turret, the position sensor pin did not have any seal to it. Gerry rigged silcone washer and auto trans sealant. Works for me.
Put it all back together and exercised it for a while. Tried checking with indicators for gib adjustment but the turret is so heavy, it's difficult to do without getting too tight. Plus it still needs more time for some break in. Played with backlash adjustment in the software but scaling seems to be locked. Best fit there.
All in all I have a pretty rigid machine that will repeat to within a half thou give or take a couple tenths.
Haven't put much time on it since but from what I can tell it's much smoother.
Thanks to Bryan Tool and Machine and Wedin Int'l for the help. Couldn't have done it without you.
Anybody figure out how to make the Tormach tailstock useable?
That is next.
