Thread: 9C Spindle tightened itself?

Last few weeks, flat belt has been slipping off. Checked a few days ago, and spindle had gotten too hard to turn by hand. Was fearing the (plain cast iron) bearings were damaged, but checked the take up nut:

IMG_2668.jpg


Its lock screw was tight, loosened it and turned the nut back a few (gear) notches, and spindle magically free again.


Anyone ever seen that? I can't imagine the fibre washer would swell in humid weather with the amount of oil that my/our lathes leak from the plain bearings, but that is the only thing I can think of.

Just checked mine and it’s the same as always. Have fibre washer still in place.