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Thread: A wet apron
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10th Dec 2013, 07:15 AM #1Most Valued Member
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A wet apron
Hi all,
as most of you know I own an AL340D lathe that I bought new. On the weekend I finally got around to putting some adjustable feet on it. Thanks BT
While I was at it I decided to give it a bit of a tub and as I was on a roll I thought it was time to change the oil in the apron as I hadn't done that from new yet.
I located the drain plug, cleaned around that area and rmoved it.
Now this is only a guesstimate, but what came out from inside the apron was about 80% water and 20% oil.
When new the sight glass showed about the correct level of oil and I noticed that this had disappeared.
My question is, how did the water get in there.
Here are some lousy pics. Most of the water drained immediately into the suds tank.
Phil
IMG_4519.JPG IMG_4518.jpg IMG_4515.jpg
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10th Dec 2013, 08:37 AM #2Most Valued Member
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a possibilty:
oils mineral for sure ( not sure if synthetics behave the same) have a high infinity for moisture..sudden cold wet weather can cause gear box's etc to contract...this sets up a vacuum sucking in high humidity air which the oil absorbs ...The moisture accumulates till the oils' moisture content is saturated and then begins to settle at the bottom....this keep compouding.... The oil wont give it up
another ...someone did an oil change with wet oil?
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10th Dec 2013, 08:41 AM #3Most Valued Member
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mmmmm?....I think i now know why my head stock oil level has increased and changed colour (slightly)
time to do an oil change.
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10th Dec 2013, 09:13 AM #4Most Valued Member
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you don,t run thar newfangklle clear coolant by any chance?
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11th Dec 2013, 06:31 AM #5Most Valued Member
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Hi Eskimo,
I have had the lathe since new and this is its first oil change.
The shed is lined and I get a pretty even temperature all year round in there but I will be checking the headstock again though. At least this time with the headstock I shouldn't find casting sand .
Hi Stuart,
sounds like a great coolant but nah I'm using coolant I bought locally, semi synthetic...I think.
Sometimes I pour water over the swarf in the tray to reclaim a bit of coolant but that doesn't get anywhere near the apron.
It may be just one of lifes mysteries.
I'll certainly be keeping an eye on it from now on
Phil