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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
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    south coast, nsw
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    Default AL-320G longitudinal feed

    has stopped working, something isn't engaging properly. Gone from intermittent to nil. Has anyone had the same problem and/or can suggest a plan of attack?

  2. #2
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    Apr 2012
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    Healesville
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    Are the gears at the end of the headstock all engauged, is the feed shaft turning?

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by shedhappens View Post
    Are the gears at the end of the headstock all engauged, is the feed shaft turning?
    Yes to both. The problem seems to be in the apron somewhere.

  4. #4
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    Jul 2016
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    I would suspect the key or shear pin that's in the worm that travels along the feed shaft. Have you had any incedents or really heavy feeds lately.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Mackay North Qld
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    In the case that your machine is a similar build to mine, consider this.
    There is a pinion that engages the rack under the bed. The pinion is on a shaft that is pinned to a larger diameter gear inside the apron box. I am guessing that the pin has sheared.
    pray that the pinion shaft has not bent as mine did.If so, the pinion and shaft only can be removed when the apron is moved right down past the t / stock end.

    To verify the broken shear pin you will need to pull the compound and cross slide off to allow removal of the apron box lid.

    IF it is similar to mine, this is what you should see. This repair was carried out back in 2009.

    Grahame

    Bent saddle spindle shaft.JPG

  6. #6
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    Dec 2015
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grahame Collins View Post
    In the case that your machine is a similar build to mine, consider this.
    There is a pinion that engages the rack under the bed. The pinion is on a shaft that is pinned to a larger diameter gear inside the apron box. I am guessing that the pin has sheared.
    pray that the pinion shaft has not bent as mine did.If so, the pinion and shaft only can be removed when the apron is moved right down past the t / stock end.

    To verify the broken shear pin you will need to pull the compound and cross slide off to allow removal of the apron box lid.

    IF it is similar to mine, this is what you should see. This repair was carried out back in 2009.

    Grahame

    Bent saddle spindle shaft.JPG
    Hmmmm... This looks like a major undertaking. I spoke to H&F spares and the delivery date for any spares is at least 6 weeks, even after I pull it down and see what the problem is. That's a lot of down time and I'm flat out at the moment building up stock. I suppose I can use the half-nut for long feed, any tips on slowing that down somewhat?

  7. #7
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    Jan 2004
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    Mackay North Qld
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    Default

    At this point, I would make the assumption that it is only a broken pin. It would not take a great deal of time to strip the lathe down say 2 hrs flat.

    If you are lucky you can punch the broken pin out-out and replace it with one of the same diameter. I wouldn't bother with the spare part but would replace it with something soft.
    If all goes well you could have it back and running in say half a day.

    Mind though with the confined space you need small hands and a big heart, as they used to say.

    Grahame

  8. #8
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    If you put your smallest gear on the stud ( spindle ) and your largest on the screw ( leadscrew ) that will slow it down.

  9. #9
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    Dec 2015
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    south coast, nsw
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    2014-08-22 23.49.30.jpg

    Here's the culprit! The brass gear that engages the worm drive has stripped. Rang H&F spares and they actually have them in stock! Asked if they were commonly replaced and they agreed that that was so.
    Thanks for the suggestions and help!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    Well done on finding the problem. Remember to measure up and document the replacement as H&F may not have one next time.

    Michael

  11. #11
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    I"ll second Micheal's comments.
    If its possible, how about some more photos with the strip down, repair and rebuild of the break down?

    In a few years, that info may welll serve as a much better guide than you had, for someone that has had the same problem with their AL-320G.

    Grahame

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    Well done on finding the problem. Remember to measure up and document the replacement as H&F may not have one next time.

    Michael
    That's a good point Michael, I wonder about pre-empting the next breakdown by working over the damaged part now. Would it be best to entirely remake the brass part or just to turn down the worn gears and slide a new section onto the stub that's left?

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grahame Collins View Post
    I"ll second Micheal's comments.
    If its possible, how about some more photos with the strip down, repair and rebuild of the break down?

    In a few years, that info may welll serve as a much better guide than you had, for someone that has had the same problem with their AL-320G.

    Grahame
    To tell the truth, once I got my ticker up and a friend around to help with a little lifting, there wasn't much in terms of complications to get in the way. Everything comes apart in a logical sequence and (almost) goes back the same way. I needed to use my fingers around the underside of the back of the saddle to find some bolts but otherwise all you need to undo pretty well stares you in the face.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by tiprat View Post
    Would it be best to entirely remake the brass part or just to turn down the worn gears and slide a new section onto the stub that's left?
    At the end of the day (provided things are keyed together properly) it probably does not matter. For home use applications either would do.
    My thoughts were more along the line of measuring the replacement part up so that if H&F does not have one next time you can go to a gear manufacturer and get one made that will just drop in. You may never need it, but it beats having a machine stripped down for a few weeks waiting for a part, especially if you want to use it. Also, you never know on this forum whether someone else will post in a year or so's time that their AL-320G won't feed longitudinally...

    Michael

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