Preventive maintenance intervals?

[Sam Fleisher]

My tailstock shaft had been spinning and I had to hold on to it to adjust. Turns out the locking lever had gotten turned too far out and wasn't riding in its slot that prevents it from turning.
I never realised what a simple mechanism it was. I can't remember if I had to assemble it or not when it was new but I just took it apart cleaned everything and lubricated it with some boeshield because that's what I had. Might be better stuff to use but bird in hand.
Anyway it might not be a precise instrument but it sure operates a lot smoother now.
How often should that be done do you think?
It wasn't extremely dirty or rusty like that but I cleaned the threads and cleaned/wiped out where it rides on the casting. I would have thought they might have thrown in a bearing or a replaceable bushing somewhere but nope. Are they all like that or does that explain why it goes around and around like an expensive lathe but cost a lot less. grizzly g0766

 

[Brian Gustin]

I believe the higher end machines like OneWay , RObust and the like do have a thrust bearing that rides on the end of the locking bolt , but the cheaper lathes (including my HF lathe) just have a simple bolt that turns in and rides in a groove in the TS shaft to keep it from spinning while allowing horizontal travel - My HF Lathe I do have to take the shaft out every so often, clean up the burr in the shaft groove left by the bolt (and deburr the locking bolt which does get mushroomed or beaten oval if they are "abused" a bit too much) every so often.

 

[Sam Fleisher]

I believe the higher end machines like OneWay , RObust and the like do have a thrust bearing that rides on the end of the locking bolt , but the cheaper lathes (including my HF lathe) just have a simple bolt that turns in and rides in a groove in the TS shaft to keep it from spinning while allowing horizontal travel - My HF Lathe I do have to take the shaft out every so often, clean up the burr in the shaft groove left by the bolt (and deburr the locking bolt which does get mushroomed or beaten oval if they are "abused" a bit too much) every so often.

I think it's called a dog point? That was what is on the end the bolt with the lever. Yours is similar?

 

[Brian Gustin]

I think it's called a dog point? That was what is on the end the bolt with the lever. Yours is similar?

Yup .. Kind of like a long set screw with a bit of the thread on the end ground off to a diameter that matches the groove in the shaft, while the threads are a bit larger than that groove so they won't drag on the shaft...

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

I do maintenance once a month. It seems to work well because deep cleaning a lathe in not the easiest just when you feel or need it done. Scheduling is very helpful along with a checklist of what needs done.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Your maintenance schedule should revolve around the hours of use and the type of materials you are turning. Dusty dirty wood, or
composites and polymers can create fine particles that can jamb up moving parts. If you don't turn on a daily basis like a full-time job
you can extend the length of time between regular maintenance schedules. Your environment and humidity will also dictate regular
maintenance on the ways, tailstock and banjo.

 

[Richard Coers]

My Oneway 2436 is 25 years old and I've never had the quill out of it. Works like the day I bought it. There is really a thrust bearing under that quill lock?

 

[Sam Fleisher]

My Oneway 2436 is 25 years old and I've never had the quill out of it. Works like the day I bought it. There is really a thrust bearing under that quill lock?

Doesn't look like it from the parts diagram on their website. Looks like some kind of lock system with an item called lock pads and a quill and barrel assembly like others. But it does have a bronze nut for the lead screw which would be nice in case it ever needed replacing from wear I suppose

Here's what it says- "The Quill Lock- The quill lock is located on top of the tailstock. It should be snugged up when using a live center. The lock does not have to be tightened excessively. This lock does not stop the quill from backing off, that is done by the feed screw mechanism. The lock removes any play between the quill and the bore, to help reduce vibration when you are working between centers."

Page 10 of the manual shown on site. Just calls it a large lathe manual so maybe all the same.