Thread: Macson bench top surface grinder questions.

I cleaned out the slideways of my newly acquired Macson bench top surface grinder and put some iso 68 slideway oil on it. It is no easier to move than when it had old oil in it. Anyone know what oil should be on the slideways of this machine?

Have you moved it much to try to get working? Have you lubed the handle that works the table back n forth???
It could be the handle part that's stiff? Just thoughts, as you haven't mentioned what else you've done, apart from cleaning the slideways.
Kryn

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

Have you moved it much to try to get working? Have you lubed the handle that works the table back n forth???
It could be the handle part that's stiff? Just thoughts, as you haven't mentioned what else you've done, apart from cleaning the slideways.
Kryn

Kryn, handle spins smoothly without table in place. I think possibly I need some thin oil lots of surface area on these slides compared with the balls on my tool and cutter grinder. It could just be sticktion, i am thinking I should visit someone with a similar grinder to have a feel for comparison.

I use slide oil on my grinder (similar size). I do have some thinner (non-way) oil for the J&S. If you want a small sample to try then I'll give you some. Way oil does have 'tackifers' in it so it sticks to the ways. It may be you are sticking your ways together so if you used hydraulic oil of a similar viscosity you would not have a problem.

Michael

Originally Posted by lamestllama

I cleaned out the slideways of my newly acquired Macson bench top surface grinder and put some iso 68 slideway oil on it. It is no easier to move than when it had old oil in it. Anyone know what oil should be on the slideways of this machine?

Same issue on my little Power SG. I use ISO 48 (I think) hydraulic oil now. It's still got more stiction than I like.

One of these days I'll upgrade to a 6x18 SG with power feeds - if I can ever find one where the freight bill isn't going to kill me. Until then I'll use variant22's.....

PDW

Have you filled up the oil wells in the slideways (the ones with the little oil transfer rollers)?
If they were dry, that might help a bit.

IMG_7488cr.jpg
Cheers,
Bill

Originally Posted by WCD

Have you filled up the oil wells in the slideways (the ones with the little oil transfer rollers)?
If they were dry, that might help a bit.

IMG_7488cr.jpg
Cheers,
Bill

I sure did fill the oil wells right to the brim. I am thinking of trying hydraulic oil in it (iso 32 or similar).

The other thing I have an issue with is I can feel the rack as I rotate the handle. More so than on my Hercus #1 tool and cutter grinder. I am going to visit someone with a small manual SG soon I will make a point of trying theirs for feel.

Originally Posted by Michael G

I use slide oil on my grinder (similar size). I do have some thinner (non-way) oil for the J&S. If you want a small sample to try then I'll give you some. Way oil does have 'tackifers' in it so it sticks to the ways. It may be you are sticking your ways together so if you used hydraulic oil of a similar viscosity you would not have a problem.

Michael

I have to visit you soon so perhaps I will have a feel of your SG then. The tool and cutter grinders I have here both use balls in V ways so are very light to move.

Eric

Would ATF be of a similar grade? I've about 15 litres of Hydraulic oil here, if you want to try some, not sure what grade it is, though, can check in the morning for you? Reasonably easy to get to ATM, I think.
Kryn

Originally Posted by lamestllama

...The other thing I have an issue with is I can feel the rack as I rotate the handle. More so than on my Hercus #1 tool and cutter grinder.

From memory, I remade the pinion on my rack and pinion table drive and was even thinking of remaking the rack. For some reason (even though they are hidden on the bottom of the table), they were chewed up a bit, as if every time the machine was put to use a handful of swarf was thrown at it. It may be that dressing the teeth with a file will smooth out the motion somewhat.

Michael

Originally Posted by Michael G

From memory, I remade the pinion on my rack and pinion table drive and was even thinking of remaking the rack. For some reason (even though they are hidden on the bottom of the table), they were chewed up a bit, as if every time the machine was put to use a handful of swarf was thrown at it. It may be that dressing the teeth with a file will smooth out the motion somewhat.

Michael

I have had a closer look at the rack and pinion. I think part of the issue is that pinion the sits on the rack slightly offset so the pinion overlaps the rack by 1.5 mm on one side and the rack overlaps the pinion by 1.5mm on the other. The pinion and the rack are not straight cut so there is also axial force on the pinion I think this combined with the overlap is the cause for the notchy feel. I think dressing the pinion as you suggested is the first step as there is the slightest wear detectable at the point of the overlap. Then perhaps some spacing to get the pinion better located over the rack.

Eric

I have a relatively smooth motion to the table but the ground surface finish I am achieving is not anywhere near as good I would like.

I am hoping someone can give me some pointers for getting the best finish out of one of these small benchtop grinders?

One thing I have to do with mine is probably adjust the gibs on the vertical column. I think I have some movement there that allows the wheel to move vertically a little (that is, rotate upwards) and it gives me the checked pattern you see in the photo.
P1040394.JPG
Michael

Originally Posted by Michael G

One thing I have to do with mine is probably adjust the gibs on the vertical column. I think I have some movement there that allows the wheel to move vertically a little (that is, rotate upwards) and it gives me the checked pattern you see in the photo.
P1040394.JPG
Michael

Michael,
That rotation is one of the problems i have. There is a lever I assumed was for locking the vertical but if I use it then it lifts the wheel making a nonsense of the fine vertical adjustment. I can't actually see any gib adjusters on the vertical movement. I sure wish the images from CGroves rebuild were still available on the forum.
Eric

Originally Posted by lamestllama

... I can't actually see any gib adjusters on the vertical movement. I sure wish the images from CGroves rebuild were still available on the forum.
Eric

I saved most of those images at the time. This one may help. The photo is of the column, lying on a bench. The tapered gib is located on the side of the column that would be away from the operator in normal use, and the gib screw is accessible for adjustment (tho' not conveniently) from below, using a flat blade screwdriver.

10_balance_pully m.jpg


Bill