Does anyone know the correct procedure for adjusting the ram gib on this Macson 18" shaper? Any leads on a users manual or similar would be fantastic.
Attachment 374195
Printable View
Does anyone know the correct procedure for adjusting the ram gib on this Macson 18" shaper? Any leads on a users manual or similar would be fantastic.
Attachment 374195
Hi there looks like that same shaper as mine, which is an 18"
My understanding is this:
You loosen off the top bolts that clamp the gibb strip down ( just enough, just crack then loose) and then loosen off the nuts on the side that lock those allen key grub screws. Then nip up those grub screws just enough so that they push that gibb strip up against the dovetail of the ram. I have done this with the shaper running so as to get an idea of how firm to do it.
Then, once you are happy with the fit, nip up the locking nuts and the top bolts again.
As mentioned above, its important not to totally loosen the top bolts overwise the gibb will lift up and when you think you have adjusted the side grub srews perfectly, the gibb strip will be too tight once the top bolts are re-tightened.
Its also a bit of trial and error. If your shaper is anything like mine then it mag have considerable and uneven wear meaning that with thd ram in one spot it will appear firm but when moved it will be loose. But only if it has a fair amount of wear. Once i get my surface plate it will be my first attempt at hand scrapeing a machine.
Cheers
Simon
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
I tightened the gibs on my Alba 1A by going along the screws one at a time doing them up tight and then loosening them until I could slide the ram. Clamp the gib back down, repeat as required.
Doing it with the machine running might be just the tip I need. I've done exactly as described but when the clamp bolts are tightened down it seems to be enough to negate any 'feel' used when adjusting the screws. I'll try it again whilst running. I'm either getting too much slack so the ram lifts during a cut, or not enough so it's under load even on the return stroke. I guess it might be the wear causing problems too.Quote:
Originally Posted by simonl
I'm also thinking it might be worth replacing the slotted-head screws with capscrews so there is a better chance of holding them still while the locknuts are tightened.
I thought the alba machine- of which this is a copy- had a different adjustment. Might be wrong.
Further to the above- I just browsed a heap of web images and the adjustment on the original Alba / Elliott machine is identical. I assume MacPherson's made these machines under license to Elliotts.
Had a look at a PDF of the user manual for the 10" version of that machine- it says to adjust the gibs via the screws but gives no detail whatsoever on how to do this. I thought there might be a particular recommended method to obtain a clearance spec but it seems not, I guess a bit more trial-and-error is in order.
Yea im not sure if its a text book thing to do but making these adjustments with the ram moving (slowest speed) allows you to get feedback on the tesion placed on the ram by listening to the motor.
Its an artform knowing how much loosen off the top bolts so that its just loose enough ti allow adjustment with the other allen cap heads.
I think the macson is made under license and is a copy of the British made Alba.
I have eead that during the war, patents between allies were removed to allow copying.
Simon
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk