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I take it back. Found some info here: https://mycompanies.fandom.com/wiki/Bowen_Manufacturing_Company
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Very old Taft Peirce oil metering system (Bijur predecessor?)
- Thread starter Rex Walters
- Start date
I can't guarantee when I'll be refurbishing my grinder since I just got it yesterday and it's at the bottom of my project pile, but I'll try to at least get that oil reservoir out of there next week to snap a better picture of it for you.
I'm eager to see your restoration thread whenever you decide to document it more.
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I’m having some construction done which is consuming a lot of my time at the moment, but I hope to document my progress soon.
I’ve finally finished all the cleaning, paint scraping, and repairs at least. Actually, I still have to replace one oil line, but I should be on the downhill side now.
I was right: Bowen did make the metering valves, too. Nothing to do with Bijur.
I’ve finally finished all the cleaning, paint scraping, and repairs at least. Actually, I still have to replace one oil line, but I should be on the downhill side now.
I was right: Bowen did make the metering valves, too. Nothing to do with Bijur.
So glad I came across this thread!
It looks like I have the same system on mine (unit 633) & was quite perplexed with the metering valves. Looks like one of the number "1" valves on my unit (fourth from the right) has been broken by a previous owner, I don't suppose you know where one could source a replacement?
It looks like I have the same system on mine (unit 633) & was quite perplexed with the metering valves. Looks like one of the number "1" valves on my unit (fourth from the right) has been broken by a previous owner, I don't suppose you know where one could source a replacement?
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I completely forgot about this thread! I'm too busy into mill maintenance and a spindle rebuild/upgrade to dig into my grinder at the moment. If you want to clean the metering units go get yourself an ultrasonic cleaner. Use some ATF in a baggy with the metering units. Clean them, dry them, ultrasonic clean them again with soapy water, then use some isopropyl alcohol in an OPEN container with the top off the ultrasonic tank, only enough water so that the plastic container with the units and alcohol does not float, don't use the heating function and let it run for a cycle. But watch it the whole time as IPA is flammable! You can water it down a little bit with distilled water if you're worried or use like 70 percent mix from the store.
I cleaned my PLUGGED UP knee mill units this way and they came out CLEAN. The ATF will gently clean away most of the gunk and take the particles into suspension in the liquid. The soapy water gets the rest, and the isopropyl gives it a nice final clean and will remove anything else stubbornly stuck. I cringe when I see people spend hundreds of dollars on new metering units on YouTube all the time. Unless they're completely FUBAR this method works great. If for whatever reason you don't happen to have or want to get transmission fluid or isopropyl, the yellow Awesome brand cleaner works well dilutes 50/50 with water and doesn't seem to harm aluminum or yellow metals in my experience and works great as a ultrasonic solution as well.
Thanks for the advice! bought an ultrasonic cleaner only a couple of weeks ago for this specific purpose.. Good tips with the solvents.
Alas I don't think any amount of cleaning is going to fix the one valve that has been sheared off unfortunately.
Really want to keep the unit as original as possible so I'd prefer to just replace the one broken unit if thats even possible, otherwise I might have to plug that port and manually oil that gallery - not the end of the world I suppose.
At a risk of hijacking the thread - would you perchance have an Ex-Cell-O spindle (M-1350) on your T&P No.1?
Alas I don't think any amount of cleaning is going to fix the one valve that has been sheared off unfortunately.
Really want to keep the unit as original as possible so I'd prefer to just replace the one broken unit if thats even possible, otherwise I might have to plug that port and manually oil that gallery - not the end of the world I suppose.
At a risk of hijacking the thread - would you perchance have an Ex-Cell-O spindle (M-1350) on your T&P No.1?
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I have an Ex-Cell-O spindle on my No. 1. Glad to hear SOMEONE has the same metering system. I managed to get everything reasonably clean and working again. I strongly suspect you’d have to machine your own replacements if anything is totally gone. I had to replace one line that had gotten pinched in the head travel gearing.
Unfortunately, this project has been sidelined by the biggest “tool” restoration I’ve ever attempted. I’m a little more than half way through refurbishing the interior of my dream shop (I moved into a new home in May, with 5 acres and a separate 4-bay unfinished 30x60 pole barn and 14’ ceiling at the back of the lot).
In a hysterical fit of optimism, I decided to tackle putting up insulation, corrugated metal walls, interior framing, HVAC, electrical, compressed air, and clear strip curtains BY MYSELF about seven weeks ago. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel finally, but I’ve lost several pounds, my hands look like raw hamburger, I appear to have lost my fear of heights, and every muscle in my body aches.
Totally worth it. Just wish I was a decade or three younger! (Don’t we all?)
The worst part has been constantly moving every tool and machine I own (including T/P No. 1 parts), as well as all the junk my wife won’t let me keep in the house, from one side of the shop to the other as I work on various sections. Gets old after about the 967th time.
Unfortunately, this project has been sidelined by the biggest “tool” restoration I’ve ever attempted. I’m a little more than half way through refurbishing the interior of my dream shop (I moved into a new home in May, with 5 acres and a separate 4-bay unfinished 30x60 pole barn and 14’ ceiling at the back of the lot).
In a hysterical fit of optimism, I decided to tackle putting up insulation, corrugated metal walls, interior framing, HVAC, electrical, compressed air, and clear strip curtains BY MYSELF about seven weeks ago. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel finally, but I’ve lost several pounds, my hands look like raw hamburger, I appear to have lost my fear of heights, and every muscle in my body aches.
Totally worth it. Just wish I was a decade or three younger! (Don’t we all?)
The worst part has been constantly moving every tool and machine I own (including T/P No. 1 parts), as well as all the junk my wife won’t let me keep in the house, from one side of the shop to the other as I work on various sections. Gets old after about the 967th time.
That sounds like quite the challenging (but ultimately rewarding) project! Good luck
Well when yourself and klandrith launch into your TP projects I look forward to seeing the progress.
For me, thankfully the previous owner did 90% of the hard work - I just have to sort out power and lubrication & I'm off and running..
Well when yourself and klandrith launch into your TP projects I look forward to seeing the progress.
For me, thankfully the previous owner did 90% of the hard work - I just have to sort out power and lubrication & I'm off and running..
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Sweet! Little work is the best work.
We definitely have the same model from the same era. Makes me happy to see the art deco stripes painted a different color! You have the mag chuck switch mine was missing. Do me a favor the next time you have the table off and take lots of pictures of the switch assembly and how it’s mounted. I THINK my home built switch should work, but I worry it may not be quite skookum enough.
I may end up regretting my much lighter color scheme (my machine tools tend to stay filthy, I doubt this will be an exception but I tell myself that more space will help me stay clean and organized — hah!).
I did run a 220 line to the “dirty” side of the strip curtain the other day, just for this grinder. I also bought a VFD and a bunch of electrical stuff before I got distracted, but I’ve not wired it all up yet. I did see the motor spin before I brought it home, but I’ve not messed with 3-phase since college, so it may take me a bit to get it all working to my satisfaction.